ROC VP candidates make televised policy presentations

2016/01/06

The three ROC vice presidential candidates Wang Ju-hsuan, Hsu Hsin-ying and Chen Chien-jen made their first and only televised policy presentations Jan. 4 during an event broadcast by the Central Election Commission.

Wang, running mate of the ruling Kuomintang’s Eric Chu, reiterated the pair’s determination to raise the minimum monthly wage from NT$20,008 (US$604) to NT$22,200 in the first year after taking office and to NT$30,000 over the next three.

“I will assist Chu in creating a virtuous circle of prosperity for the new generation, boosting economic growth through bolstering the salary structure,” she said. “Enterprises and workers will both enjoy the fruits of this progress.”

According to the former minister of labor, the pay plan forms a key plank in the KMT ticket’s comprehensive industry development platform. “The initiative will spur greater industrial transformation on the back of heightened consumption and more job opportunities,” Wang said.

“We will follow up with a fund of NT$24 billion to foster a warmer environment for startups, readying the nation for continued innovation going forward.”

Hsu, an ROC lawmaker who partnered with the People First Party’s James Soong in the election, said she is the youngest among the running mates and comes with the least baggage. She urged Taiwan’s political parties to end disputes and face up to the reality of global competition.

“It’s an age of network and technology, so the new government should help the country’s talents forge ahead by leveraging Taiwan’s advantages as a high-tech powerhouse,” Hsu said, adding that nation will prosper if the people can fully realize their potential.

Hsu also proposed setting up a dedicated agency under the central government to address Taiwan’s housing issues and lighten the public’s burden in this regard.

Chen, a former vice president of Academia Sinica and head of the National Science Council, said he would assist Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party in focusing on the development of industry and technology.

“Innovation and R&D capabilities are Taiwan’s most abundant resources, and we look forward to stimulating the economy further by strengthening the country’s high-tech sector,” he said.

“Big data, biopharmaceuticals and green energy are expected to lead the world’s technological advances in the next decade, and we will help local enterprises shine in these areas by formulating a more flexible policy and regulatory framework.”

Chen also pledged to apply his biomedicine expertise to helping address challenges stemming from Taiwan’s rapidly aging society. He plans to improve the quality of life for seniors through expanding preventive medicine research and integrating medical resources nationwide.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=240934&ctNode=2194&mp=9)