President Tsai outlines achievements and policy directions

2016/08/23

President Tsai Ing-wen highlighted Aug. 20 the government’s achievements during her first three months in office and outlined future policy directions in an address for local and international media at Taipei Guest House ahead of Taiwan’s annual Journalists’ Day Sept. 1.

Tsai said since she assumed office in May, her administration has been committed to solving social problems that have persisted for many years, such as the issue of historical and transitional justice for the nation’s indigenous peoples.

On Aug. 1, the president issued an apology on behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan) government for the past treatment of indigenous groups and pledged to promote reconciliation, implement the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, and establish a platform for autonomous rule of traditional lands and territories.

In her address, she noted her administration’s efforts to tackle disagreements between employers and workers regarding amendments to the nation’s labor laws. The government is sparing no effort in communicating with the two sides and seeking a consensus, the president said.

With regard to reforms, Tsai pointed to the passage of the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations, which she stated will have a positive influence on Taiwan’s democratic development. As for judicial reforms, the president noted that she will serve as the convener of a committee under the Office of the President tasked with preparing a national conference on the issue slated to take place later this year.

Discussing the matter of Taiwan’s pension system, Tsai said a national reform committee under the Office of the President convened by Vice President Chen Chien-jen has already held nine meetings. “In this initial stage, it is challenging to integrate so many divergent perspectives, but we will not allow such difficulties to undermine our resolve,” she stated.

On the economy, Tsai noted the government is enacting its New Model for Economic Development, which aims to foster the growth of five major innovative industries ranging from green technology to national defense and the Internet of Things. “The related budgets will grow considerably next year, which will demonstrate our determination to pursue this new innovation-oriented approach,” she said.

Tsai added the government is working to build a more comprehensive social safety net, noting funding has been increased in areas such as social housing, long-term care services and disease prevention.

Addressing the issue of regional peace, Tsai said the government has been communicating with other concerned parties to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea since the July 12 announcement of an award by an international arbitration tribunal on the region. With regard to Taiwan’s ties with mainland China, the president reaffirmed the government’s “goal is to establish consistent, predictable and persistent cross-strait relations under the framework of the ROC Constitution.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=247337&ctNode=2194&mp=9)