Oral Report on Administration
to the Legislative Yuan
Tang Fei
Premier
Republic of China
June 2, 2000
Source: Government Information Office
Preface
- Consolidating National Security and Improving Cross-Strait Relations
- Improving Social Order and Promoting People's Welfare
- Accelerating Economic Development and Strengthening the Industrial Base
- Implementing Educational Reforms and Strengthening Cultural Development
- Reinventing the Government and Raising Administrative Efficiency
- Expediting Reconstruction in the Disaster Areas to Create Beautiful Homes
- Conclusion
President Wang, Vice President Yao, Honorable Members of the Legislative Yuan:
On March 18, 2000, we elected the 10th-term president and vice president of our country. I have accepted President Chen's invitation to serve as premier due to my commitment to national security, social order, and the people's welfare.
Today, I feel greatly honored to make a report on government administration at the invitation of your esteemed Yuan. Also, I am alive to the heavy responsibility and hope you will give the Executive Yuan and me all kinds of support and advice.
But, I am sorry to say that, after surgery, I needed more time to rest. I would like to thank you for your kindness in delaying the question time to a later date. I must apologize for causing you so much inconvenience.
Since I was asked to form a cabinet, I have thought over and over the kind of government that we should have. I think we should place the people's welfare above all in government activities. With limited resources, the government should try hard to satisfy the growing expectations of the people and establish a trusting relationship with them so that we can work together like partners.
In the past 50 years, the Republic of China has eliminated poverty and created an economic miracle in Taiwan that has drawn admiring looks from the whole world. Our average income has increased to US$13,000 from the meager amount of less than US$100. In just a decade, Taiwan has transformed authoritarian rule into a democracy, fulfilling the ideal of popular sovereignty by directly electing the president and vice-president.
The smooth transfer of government power has strengthened our multiparty politics. We are moving toward a more open society, characterized by diversity and unbeatable enthusiasm. By improving law and order, we are laying the foundations for a harmonious society. To continue the efforts of the people and the previous government, the new administration is bent on creating a lively and vigorous civil society. We will maintain the economic growth and make our society more peaceful and harmonious.
Considering globalization, Asia-Pacific regional security, changes in cross-strait relations, and the first-ever transfer of presidential power to the opposition party, we have reached an important moment in history. We must continue to move forward and never turn back. As we have entered the new millennium, we have to compete not only with the Chinese mainland, but also with all other countries of the world.
We must win a place in the world by making us more competitive. Heeding public opinions, President Chen's political ideals, and the administrative experiences of the previous government, we have formulated an administrative report for presentation to your esteemed Yuan. Let me sum up our major policies in the following six points:
Consolidating National Security and Improving Cross-Strait Relations
National security is the pillar of our current administration. It is the key to preserving our past achievements and continuing our national development. We must have a strong national defense so that we can ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait for national survival and development. In the past few years, the government has worked hard to strengthen national defense. It has taken measures to accelerate modernization, develop a new generation of weapons, trim the military personnel, formulate the National Defense Law, and revise the Organic Law of the Ministry of National Defense. These are the foundations for integrating the administrative and command systems of the military.
Beijing has continued to beef up its military capabilities and refuse to renounce the use of force against Taiwan, causing tension in cross-strait relations. For the sovereignty and dignity of our country, we must maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, strengthen military mobilization and organization, spread the concept of "all-people national defense," and push forward the elite-force policy.
We will also study the revision of statutes and regulations related to the two major national defense laws in order to establish a modern legal framework for national defense. To avoid misunderstanding that may lead to war, we need to promote transparency and take confidence-building measures in the military area. This calls for prudent and patient dialogue and exchanges between the two sides.
To reduce tensions in the Taiwan Strait, we will translate our goodwill into concrete actions, conduct more exchanges, and promote cooperation with the other side on the basis of mutual respect. We will agree to hold bilateral talks on any issue, including political topics, and review our policy on the three links from different perspectives.
Both sides are expected to enter the World Trade Organization this year. This will offer a good opportunity for improvement of bilateral relations. It is also a starting point for the two sides to establish new trade and economic relations. I would like to reiterate our sincerity and goodwill for better bilateral relations. I hope the authorities on the Chinese mainland will respond to our goodwill with goodwill, so that we can jointly strive for the welfare of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
In foreign relations, we will adhere to the spirit of sovereignty and the principles of equality and reciprocity. We will establish both official and unofficial mechanisms for talks and actively participate in international governmental and non-governmental organizations, in order to expand our role in the world community.
We will also increase our contacts with international human rights organizations and seek to establish a national human rights commission. So, the Republic of China will set a new standard for human rights in the 21st century. In addition, the government will make greater efforts to look after all overseas Chinese who support the Republic of China.
Improving Social Order and Promoting People's Welfare
In the past, the government has spent a lot of effort improving law and order and has succeeded in bringing down the crime rate. However, we can clearly see that the public has more expectations of the government. Therefore, we will take measures to improve the administration, organizations, personnel system, education and training of police and provide them with necessary equipment. Our aim is to establish a professional, efficient, and service-oriented police force. Besides, we will unite with the community to suppress criminal activities and build a safer environment of life.
Money politics has become the pincushion of criticisms. We will attack the problem by uniting the prosecution, police, investigation, and other relevant agencies to prevent illegal construction bids, "black gold" politics, profiteering, and stock- market manipulation.
Here, I would like to urge you to take pains to pass "sunshine bills," including The Trust Company Act, The Government Information Disclosure Act, The Political Party Act, The Political Contributions Act, The Lobbying Act, and The Act to Avoid Conflict of Interest among Public Functionaries.
Social welfare is a stabilizing force for economic development. We will continue to emphasize the welfare of the disadvantaged and actively review the division of responsibilities between the central and local governments so that we can best allocate our welfare resources. The "3-3-3" welfare policy, which unquestionably concerns the public, will be evaluated in accordance with fiscal conditions and the efficient use and fair distribution of resources. Subsequently, the policy has to be gradually implemented. The monthly welfare allowance of NT$3,000 for senior citizens will be given the first priority.
The "5-5-5" child-care policy is a critical concern of women. We will increase the number of trained pediatric nurses, child-care workers, and preschool teachers to reduce women's child-care burdens and increase their employment opportunities. To protect women's rights, we will prevent domestic violence. In addition, we will evaluate the long-planned national annuity fund for implementation at the right time.
In labor affairs, we will study the possibility of shortening the workweek and ensuring retirement payments. Also, we will help workers to increase their knowledge and capabilities to cope with the rapid changes in the labor market. Besides, the government will continue to increase welfare benefits for the mentally and physically disabled, middle- and low-income families, indigenous people, children, and teen-agers. So, our social welfare system will gradually reach the level of the advanced countries.
Accelerating Economic Development and Strengthening the Industrial Base
Over the past 50 years, our solid economic development has been a point of pride. Despite the Asian financial crisis and the devastating 921 earthquake, our economy still grew significantly. In the future, we will ensure fair distribution and efficient use of resources in order to create a harmonious, complementary, and mutually beneficial situation for both continued economic development and environmental protection to improve the quality of our life.
Traditional industries are the backbone of Taiwan's economic development, whereas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the working horses of our economic miracle. To sustain economic development, the government will continuously promote the competitiveness of traditional industries by helping them to obtain capital, promote e-commerce, and upgrade technologies. We should first strengthen the national economy and then actively train SME professionals to modernize their management skills, reduce operating costs, and initiate industrial reinvention. Thus, we can help the SME to upgrade and develop.
Agriculturally, we will implement rural reconstruction, improve production techniques, and promote sustainable development for the long-term stability of the economy. To cushion the impact of Taiwan's entry into the WTO and the liberalization of agricultural imports, the government will establish an inter-ministerial task force to examine the "Comprehensive Plan for National Land Use." It will also evaluate the effect of farmland use after the enactment of the Agricultural Development Act.
In this knowledge-based and economically oriented world, and under the challenges of international environmental protection regulations, we must make the best use of the special features and favorable conditions of Taiwan's economy. We need to accelerate the development of the semiconductor, telecommunications, information, precision instruments, biotechnology, aeronautics, and space technology industries. Through research and innovations, we can establish "green" production technologies and assist industries to raise their efficiency in the use of energy resources. We can also help them lower pollution emissions that contribute to the greenhouse effect. In the end, we can build Taiwan into the green "Silicon Island" of East Asia. To cope with the financial disorders in the recent years, we will tidy up Taiwan's banking system. A supervisory and management committee will be set up to regulate financial institutions and reduce overdue loans and other anomalies in the banking sector.
Implementing Educational Reforms and Strengthening Cultural Development
Education will determine our future. Educational reform is the expectation of the entire citizenry and also a government responsibility. The Executive Yuan has approved the Educational Reform Action Plan, which will spend NT$157 billion in five years beginning in 1999 to carry out 12 major educational reforms. We will speed up the implementation to give schools more autonomy, diversity, and flexibility for development.
To meet the challenges of economic globalization and the information revolution in the 21st century, we will promote social development, raise national competitiveness, strengthen information and foreign-language education, and formulate a 12-year compulsory education plan to raise the educational level of our citizenry.
We plan to hire more elementary and secondary school teachers to allow smaller classes. Also, we will increase the enrollment and provide education vouchers for kindergartens. Besides, we will establish educational priority areas, improve education on the offshore islands and in remote and minority locations. The plan for "Pursuit of Academic Excellence in Universities" will be continued; resources will be integrated effectively. Still, we will raise our country's international academic status; set up community colleges, establish an adult education system and a comprehensive information learning network to foster lifelong learning in society.
We must create an environment for cultural development and the rendering of services. The budget for culture will be increased, physical and intellectual facilities will be expanded, more cultural talent will be cultivated, historic buildings will be maintained, and cultural exchanges with other nations and areas will be strengthened. These together will make our culture richer and more diverse.
Reinventing the Government and Raising Administrative Efficiency
Reinventing the government and creating an innovative, flexible and responsive administration is the key to our national competitiveness. This is also the unavoidable process of modernization. Government reinvention calls for rebuilding the organizations, restructuring the personnel systems, and perfecting the judicial sector. In recent years, our government has achieved tangible results in deregulation and market liberalization. However, facing intense global economic competition, we still need to thoroughly implement government reinvention.
Administrative organization must be constantly adjusted to changes in the social and national environment. We hope that the Standards Law of the Central Government Organization and the General Number of Central Government Personnel, which has been sent to the Legislative Yuan for review, will soon be approved; thus allowing the organizational restructuring of the Executive Yuan and the functional adjustment of the entire government.
The task of downsizing the provincial government will continue. The government will properly care for provincial employees. To improve the relationship between the central government and local governments, I will ask all departments to coordinate with local agencies in effectively implementing the central policies. Thus, I will give local governments more rights and duties in raising governmental efficiency.
In today's information-based and economically oriented society, we must encourage public servants to study continuously and to increase government efficiency by eliminating their bureaucratic attitudes.
Expediting Reconstruction in the Disaster Areas to Create Beautiful Homes
Since reconstruction is an urgent specific task, we need not only to set up short-term goals, but also to work out long-term plans. The Executive Yuan has already strengthened the organization and functions of the Reconstruction Promotion Committee and appointed a minister-without-portfolio to press forward the policy initiatives and build bridge among the various departments. These efforts are intended to overcome administrative restrictions and bring together the acts of the various agencies.
To meet the immediate needs of the people in the disaster area is the priority of our reconstruction program. The central government will provide all necessary assistance to local governments. Through the process of comprehensive community reconstruction, we will increase public participation and combine the strength of the private sector to ensure the results will thoroughly meet the needs of the residents.
The government will employ mental health professionals and hospital, school, and volunteer workers to effectively release psychological pressure, reduce mental trauma, and provide psychological rehabilitation services for people in the disaster area.
Meanwhile, we will set up free 24-hour counseling hotlines and assist the victims through the media and various cultural activities to overcome the earthquake trauma. The massive 921 earthquake was a crisis and also a turning point for us. We are sure that we can rebuild our homes in four years and give a new look to the entire area.
Conclusion
Honorable members of the Legislative Yuan: Today, as I am standing on this rostrum, my shoulders are weighted by heavy responsibilities and people's high expectations. We certainly recognize the challenges the nation faces and understand the root causes of our current problems. We are aware of the people's fervent desire for stability during this time of change, their aspirations for justice and equity, and their craving for extensive governmental reforms.
I pledge, with my hand on my heart, that the Executive Yuan will go to any lengths to meet the needs of the people. Under your supervision and guidance, we will do our utmost to implement the policies I have just mentioned.
The Cabinet of "all the people" comprises outstanding individuals from various sectors of society. The administration rests solely on national interests and the welfare of the whole populace. We have formed a partnership and an entirely new dynamic team. I have especially asked all my Cabinet members to transcend rigid, dogmatic thinking. We will be creative and we can generate new opportunities.
We will pay particular attention to communication and coordination among ourselves, team spirit, collective achievements in seeking the greatest welfare for the whole nation. The Cabinet will rely on the support of each of you in solving complicated issues.
I have asked all members of the Cabinet to communicate regularly with the Legislative Yuan and modestly solicit your guidance, so we can build an effective interactive relationship between the executive and the legislative branches. This will also help us to establish a harmonious administrative environment, and create a brilliant future for our country, the Republic of China.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you again for your concern and consideration, and for allowing me to answer your questions until July 4 to give me more time for recovery. I will always remember your great kindness. Thank you.
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