Premier Jiang keeps Taiwan on development track
2014-09-16
The government will continue building Taiwan into a rich and developed nation through implementation of seven major polices, according to Premier Jiang Yi-huah.
“Groundbreaking policymaking rooted in pragmatism is creating new vitality and opportunities for Taiwan,” Jiang said. “Going forward, all efforts will focus on cultural promotion, demographic changes, education, land planning, industrial transformation, national health and social welfare.”
The premier, who made the remarks during a Sept. 12 address at the Legislative Yuan, said various government-drafted economic stimulus measures are already paying dividends for Taiwan. “This is reflected in the country’s increasing exports and production activity, improving unemployment, thriving stock market and narrowing wealth gap.”
But Jiang said more needs to be done in terms of trade liberalization and economic restructuring, especially with local firms facing projected losses of NT$252.6 billion (US$8.42 billion) if South Korea and mainland China sign a free trade agreement by year-end.
“Taiwan must fast-track legislative review of the Cross-Strait Trade in Services Agreement so as to create the favorable conditions for its accession into the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” he said.
The premier also apologized for public distress caused by major food safety scandals in the past two years, reiterating the government’s commitment to fully prosecuting violators and ensuring such incidents never happen again.
Regarding National Health Insurance, Jiang said the government will guarantee sustainable operations of the system and balance regional allocation of Taiwan’s medical resources.
In response to the country’s changing demographics, the premier said the government will continue promoting day care services for children and long-term care for seniors, as well as more flexible immigration and human resources policies.
Concerning social equality and the rights of the disadvantaged, Jiang vowed to bolster medical care in remote regions and outlying islands, increasing the minimum wages and launching the social enterprise action plan.
In addition to domestic policymaking, the premier said significant headway has also been made this year in expanding cross-strait exchanges and Taiwan’s international profile.
“Landmark reciprocal visits by the heads of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council and its mainland China counterpart Taiwan Affairs Office took place, as well as the eighth round of discussions under the Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.”
Jiang also called on opposition parties to work with the government in implementing key policies, especially the 2015 central government budget, cross-strait services pact and 60 other important bills.
Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=221578&CtNode=413)