ROC President Ma Ying-jeou delivered his ROC National Address Oct. 10 in Taipei City, outlining the government’s strategy for remaking Taiwan, identifying its niche and finding an appropriate path in the global arena.
“Domestically, this strategy allows our country to remold its economy, politics and society from the inside out,” Ma said. “Externally, it enables Taiwan to identify its niche amid intense global economic competition, and to find a viable way forward within a complex international political environment.”
The president vowed to transform Taiwan into a free economic island, characterized by what he described as the 3Hs—high productivity in its people, high added-value in its products, and high incomes and as a result, well-being for the citizenry.
“This kind of Taiwan will become the top investment choice for businesses around the world and a happy home for ROC nationals,” the president said, adding that the country and its people must first have the broadness of mind and courage to open up to the world.
“Taiwan must comprehensively take part in regional economic integration and speed up the promotion of its Free Economic Pilot Zones.”
On the social front, Ma said he is working to create a civil society where diversity and tolerance are valued, and a culture where governance is rational, citizens are friendly and caring, and government is actively responsive.
In illustrating his point, the president cited the amended Public Assistance Act, which raised the poverty line and benefited 660,000 disadvantaged people; and the launch of the National Pension and Labor Insurance Annuity schemes, providing cover to 3.75 million people previously without social insurance and another 9.62 million workers.
“We are building a vigorous civil society that cares for the disadvantaged. This is what makes Taiwan a benchmark for the Chinese-speaking world, and enables us to hold our heads high anywhere around the globe.”
On national defense, Ma said the nation’s current peace strategy is one that emphasizes preparation for risks and enables the pursuit of vigorous reforms.
“A robust national defense capability is the foundation underpinning our resolute defense, effective deterrence strategy,” the president said, adding that Taiwan continues purchasing weapons of a defensive nature, is putting a volunteer military service system in place, and strengthening its technological capacity for warfare.
Under this approach, the government’s viable diplomacy policy has yielded huge rewards, with concrete accomplishments coming almost monthly, Ma said.
In February, the ROC and the U.S. signed an Agreement on Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities, which extends protections to each side’s diplomats. In March, talks resumed with the U.S. under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement after a hiatus of six years, with considerable progress made. In April, a fisheries agreement was concluded with Japan, resolving 40 years dispute. In May, the country took part in the World Health Assembly for the fifth time. And in July, the ROC signed an economic cooperation agreement with New Zealand.
The Taiwan-New Zealand pact is significant because it is the ROC’s first free-trade agreement with a nondiplomatic ally, the president said. “The Republic of China now is not only a peacemaker, but also a promoter of international cooperation.”
Ma’s address was delivered in front of the Presidential Office before an estimated 300 foreign dignitaries and tens of thousands of ROC nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also held a National Day reception at Taipei Guest House later in the evening, hosting more than 4,000 guests from home and abroad. (JSM)
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