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A Loyal and Patriotic Soul Held in Respect and Admiration
Deceased, Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang, a century-old man to whom people of all walks of life in the country expressed their deep condolences. At the very moment, to reminisce his commanding and heroic undertaking and cherish his historic achievements make us feel all the more respectful for his unswerving and loyal heart of patriotism.
Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang is a great patriot. Witnessing his motherland in a state of dilapidation in which warlords were locked in confused battles and foreign powers rode roughshod over it since his childhood he made his determination of minding no praise or blame and sacrificing anything personal for it. The spirit of strong patriotism has nurtured and formed this man of iron-will from northeast China.
Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang's loyal heart of patriotism found his explicit expression in his utmost efforts for pacifying the civil war and resisting the enemy from without. During the 1930s when the Chinese nation was in great peril he, out of the national righteousness, staged unreservedly the "Xi'an Incident" together with General Yang Hucheng, thus putting an end to the 10 years of civil war. This has resulted in promoting the second cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, thereby having made historic contribution to the going into action of the whole nation resistance to the Japanese invasion of China. Our late Premier Zhou Enlai used the following expression " a national hero of meritorious deeds in history" in praise of his heroic undertaking of patriotism.
The loyal heart of patriotism of Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang also expressed clearly and as always in his concern for the great cause of reunification of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. He said time and again "his greatest wish is that he sincerely wish the two sides will achieve peaceful reunification and oppose very much disruption." A year ago when the writer paid a home visit to Lu Zhengcao, the old general, a large picture jumped into the eyesight in the guestroom. It shows Mr. Chang Hsueh-liang who had been kept under custody for almost half a century met, with tears trickling down, his old friend Lu Zhengcao in the US on the 29th of May 1991. At that time what they talked of most was about the "peaceful reunification and one country two systems". The inscription by Mr. Chang for Mr. Lu, saying "for great achievements not to mind things personal, but to make sure that Taiwan is within the Chinese domain", indicating undoubtedly a heavy blow back at the fallacy of "two nations".
Mr. Chang's heart of patriotism is also embodied in his fervent expectation for China to become a very rich and strong country in the world. A backward country will suffer from degradation only rich and strong nation can enjoy its own dignity. Mr. Zhang Hsueh-liang cherished very much of his hometown and his own country and paid a great attention to the development of China and its modernization construction. Each and every time when friends or relatives went to see him from China's mainland he always asked in detail the great changes in his hometown. In the past 20 years following the implementation of reform and opening to the outside world the comprehensive strength of our country has been rapidly strengthened and the country's status remarkably enhanced in the international community. This has deeply touched the string-cord of Mr. Chang's heart for his love of the country "I would like to go back to take a look at the great changes in the Chinese mainland." However, due to this or that reason he failed to come leaving his wish unfulfilled. Nevertheless, what Mr. Chang could feel consoled is that China is tending to richness and prosperity with every passing day.
"I'm not willing to stay idle but to share weal and woe of the country." The praiseworthy red heart of Mr. Chang in love of his own country and his lofty patriotic manner will remain bright as ever and stay long as the land of his country for it is worthy of our learning and respect and admiration for ever and ever.
By PD Online Staff
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