However, we are masters of our fates as we enter the year 2000. In democratic Taiwan, we can do it well, and made it work. With the old millennium ended, it is interesting to see what we think of ourselves and what challenges face our island in the year 2000 and beyond. Among the things that made people ashamed to be Taiwanese were "black gold" politics, lack of a law-abiding sprit, decline in social order, and low diplomatic status of our nation.

The major concerns that people had included organized crime, educational quality, economic strength, administrative efficiency, corruption, and defense capabilities. Many nations face problems that the people of that nation cannot remedy. Many nations face crushing national debts that the people of that nation have no hope of repaying.