Ma praises Taiwan prosperity on 7th year in office

2015/05/21

President Ma Ying-jeou said May 20 that the ROC is moving in the right direction and existing government policies should continue for the prosperity of the people after he concludes his second and final term in office.

“The past seven years are marked by peaceful and prosperous development of cross-strait relations, as well as a more respected and dignified global status for Taiwan,” Ma said.

“A real high point was Taiwan welcoming nearly 10 million visitors last year, or 2.6 times the pre-2008 figure. They contributed more than NT$400 billion [US$13.05 billion] in foreign exchange earnings for the country.”

Ma made the comments during an event at the Presidential Office marking the seventh anniversary of his presidency. Also attending were around 170 policy advisors, senior officials and beneficiaries of various government policies.

According to the president, Taiwan has made tremendous progress in enhancing gender equality, fighting corruption, promoting social justice through tax reforms and seeking balanced regional development via major infrastructure projects.

“I took office at the height of the global financial tsunami that put the worldwide economy in great peril,” Ma said. “In response, the government embarked upon a course of immediate action, launching seven consecutive rounds of interest rate cuts and issuing blanket protection for all bank deposits.”

In an effort to spur the local economy, the government issued NT$3,600 (US$117) in consumption vouchers to eligible recipients from January to February 2009. This move buoyed consumer confidence and was widely praised by the public and economists at home and abroad.

“Such an unprecedented step helped the local economy grow 10.63 percent one year later, the best in 24 years and fourth highest in the world,” he said.

But the nation’s prosperity hinges on more than astute government policymaking, Ma said, adding that every member of society—especially the youth—plays a key role in the process.

“The youth talent cultivation project implemented since 2009 has benefitted more than 260,000 individuals, with over 80 percent of participants landing a job once training was completed.”

Other measures catering to the specific needs of the younger generation include parental leave and day care services, which saw 310,000 parents and 270,000 children enjoy access to government subsidies topping NT$32.6 billion over the past seven years.

Another policy success was an initiative encouraging the youth to engage in agriculture, the president said. “This measure reinvigorated the sector and helped cut the nation’s fallow land in half.”

Ma said these accomplishments would not have been possible without the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. This hard-earned result stems from the government’s unwavering stance of maintaining the status quo of no unification, no independence and no use of force under the ROC Constitution.

“Increasing bilateral exchanges delivered economic dividends and helped promote cultural, education and social interactions between people on both sides, paving the way for sustainable peace across the Taiwan Strait.”

In light of the highs and lows of his presidency, Ma said every setback and subsequent bounceback bolstered his belief in government policymaking and strengthened his deep-seated respect for the kindness and courage of the people.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the people for their ceaseless efforts in contributing to the prosperity and security of Taiwan,” he said. “My remaining time in office will be spent promoting reconciliation and unification for all members of society.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=230606&ctNode=413)