<來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/0b8e2cf5-060e-4b07-accd-ea2ff3739079 <標題>Premier Cho Jung-tai’s oral policy report to 5th session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected portions of the premier’s report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: I hereby present this policy report on the government’s recent accomplishments and the nation’s future outlook. On November 29, 2025, the Chi Po-lin Satellite, the first in Taiwan’s indigenous FORMOSAT-8 satellite constellation program, was successfully launched, and just before the Lunar New Year, Hai Kun, the first domestically built submarine, completed several shallow-water test dives. Together, these achievements underscore Taiwan’s steady progress toward President Lai Ching-te’s national vision of setting our sights on the space industry while further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. With regard to Taiwan-U.S. negotiations on the reciprocal trade agreement and the recent February 20 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, our government will closely monitor developments, protect the gains secured and respond prudently. The U.S. side has indicated that the ruling has no bearing on Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962; however, it will continue with relevant investigations and initiate probes under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Taiwan's negotiating team will carefully assess the situation, maintain close communication with its U.S. counterparts and monitor any potential tariff measures implemented by the U.S. in the future, so as to ensure Taiwan’s comparative advantages over other countries. In a time of profound transformation and advancement, we must rise to meet every challenge with strength and resilience, and pursue a national roadmap toward a more open, prosperous and secure future, striving to shape the Republic of China (Taiwan) into a more enlightened society and a more equitable nation. A more open Taiwan Through the collective efforts of Taiwanese citizens and industries, our economy grew by 8.63% in the previous year, with exports reaching a record high of US$640.75 billion. We intend to build on this momentum to energize domestic demand-oriented industries, elevate national strength and boost infrastructure development. ● Implementing a more open land policy The government is resuming its public land release policy for state-owned flat farmland and state-owned marginal aquaculture land, allowing long-term farmers to obtain legal ownership. We will also accelerate resident-led urban renewal efforts, while further increasing floor area ratio bonuses, offering an additional 50% to redevelopment projects that provide units for social housing, youth housing or newlywed/childrearing housing. In addition, we are advancing a land reclamation program to safeguard territorial integrity, prevent coastline erosion and expand land for ports and industrial use. ● Creating a more open financial environment Private capital is abundant in Taiwan, with total assets in the banking, insurance and securities sectors exceeding NT$133 trillion (approximately US$4.2 trillion), growing nearly 70% over the past decade. As of November last year, the Asia Asset Management Center initiative has helped the financial sector to reach NT$36.51 trillion (approx. US$1.2 trillion) in assets under management, surpassing the original two-year growth target of NT$4 trillion (approx. US$127.1 billion). Through the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan, NT$337.2 billion (approx. US$10.7 billion) has been directed into national infrastructure projects, representing a 112% increase compared with 2024. The government is seeking the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund, so as to create a national investment platform that will help local industries extend their reach globally while providing reliable sources of capital and a mechanism for sustaining fiscal balance. Informed by the passage of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., Taiwan is actively pursuing legislation for a virtual asset service act. Furthermore, we are studying the issuance of stablecoins and other virtual asset services to foster industry development, strengthen regulatory oversight and align with international trends. In the area of personal investment and savings, we are enhancing the benefits and functionality of the Taiwan Individual Savings Account (TISA) system, expanding tax incentives, and building a stable long-term investment framework that encourages broader participation and simplifies investing, thereby fortifying retirement security for citizens. ● Promoting a more open labor policy To tackle labor shortages across Taiwan’s industries, particularly in the tourism, hospitality and commercial port sectors, a plan to enhance the use of transnational labor was officially launched on New Year’s Day this year. The plan links the expansion of the migrant worker quota to wage increases for local workers, and relaxes restrictions on retaining experienced migrant workers. The Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals has also been amended to further ease work regulations, loosen permanent residency requirements and boost social security protections, with the aim of attracting top international talent, foreign and overseas compatriot students, second-generation overseas Taiwanese and digital nomads. Meanwhile, an updated policy for hiring foreign domestic helpers is in the final review stage. It aims to reduce the burden of family care and facilitate labor retention, while also prioritizing support for vulnerable and high-need households. ● Advancing a more open energy policy Developing diversified green energy is the top priority of the government’s Second Energy Transition Policy, and we are continuing to roll out the Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Installation Acceleration Plan.  In the offshore wind power sector, the Offshore Wind Farms Channel Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Center at the Port of Taichung has officially begun operations. Next year, four new radar stations are scheduled for completion, and the VTS system will be integrated with the automatic identification systems of six wind farms, leveraging technology to strengthen wind farm and maritime safety. Following amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) will, in accordance with statutory procedures, submit plans for restarting the Kuosheng and Maanshan Nuclear Power Plants (known as the Second and Third Nuclear Power Plants, respectively) and commence independent safety inspections. Taipower has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the original designer of the Maanshan plant, which will assist with safety inspections and subsequent technical support. Committed to attaining nuclear safety, effective nuclear waste management and social consensus, we will take an open approach and actively engage in discussions on advanced technologies, providing reassurance to both the public and industry while ensuring a robust and stable energy supply.  ● Introducing more open regulatory measures In alignment with a more open policy direction, our administrative team has proactively consulted with the public to build consensus and implemented various legal and regulatory measures. The regulations introduced or updated include:  <ol> <li>Amendments to the regulations for urban renewal floor area bonuses </li> <li>Amendments to the regulations for floor area bonuses applicable to unsafe and old urban buildings </li> <li>New regulations for work qualifications and permits for foreign technical workers </li> <li>Amendments to the Industrial Innovation Statute </li> <li>Amendments to the review directions for the Action Plan for Welcoming Overseas Taiwanese Businesses to Return to Invest in Taiwan </li> <li>Amendments to the review directions for the Action Plan for Accelerated Investment by Domestic Corporations </li> <li>Amendments to the review directions for the Action Plan for Accelerated Investment by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) </li> <li>Amendments to the directions for loans for accelerated investment by SMEs </li> <li>Amendments to the Implementation Regulations Governing Renewable Energy Certificates </li> <li>Amendments to the Electricity Act </li> </ol> A more prosperous Taiwan Former President Tsai Ing-wen championed the "five plus two" innovative industries plan and Six Core Strategic Industries, enabling Taiwan to capitalize on a critical juncture in global supply chain restructuring. President Lai initiated the Five Trusted Industry Sectors policy, spurring development across a broad range of sectors while fortifying national security and resilience. With Taiwan’s industries forging ahead in a new economic landscape, the government is focused on 13 strategic industries to steer the country’s future development: <ol> <li>Semiconductors: Rooted in Taiwan, expanding globally and maintaining industry leadership. </li> <li>Artificial intelligence (AI): Creating smart living environments for all through the government’s 10 major AI projects.</li> <li>Silicon photonics, quantum and other critical technologies: Enhancing the autonomy and resilience of Taiwanese supply chains.</li> <li>AI robotics: Fostering high-tech industry linkages, research and development by leveraging Tainan’s Liuying Science and Technology Park as the industry hub, and integrating the National Center for AI Robotics in Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City and the AI Robotics Innovation and Development Center in Liujia District.</li> <li>Defense: Developing military drones and AI robots, and forging non-red defense industry supply chains.</li> <li>Security and surveillance: Building upon Taiwan’s trusted industry foundations to align with international standards and accelerate smart technologies.</li> <li>Next-generation communications: Accelerating the commercialization of Taiwanese communications products by establishing satellite ground equipment, 6G simulation networks and other testing and verification platforms. </li> <li>Critical minerals: Strengthening bilateral cooperation in the mining, refining and exploration of mineral resources under the framework of the Taiwan-U.S. Pax Silica Declaration.  </li> <li>Biotechnology and medical care: Realizing the vision of a healthier Taiwan by integrating proprietary technologies with data resources and driving innovation in health data services.</li> <li>Asia-based asset management center: Applying the experiences of the Kaohsiung Asset Management Zone to other counties and cities to upgrade services and transform Taiwan into Asia’s central hub for asset management. </li> <li>Basic public infrastructure and urban renewal: Increasing incentives for private sector participation in public infrastructure projects, encouraging resident-led urban renewal, and accelerating the overall upgrading of Taiwan’s infrastructure. </li> <li>Cultural and creative industries: Designating over 100 “culture base” locations to showcase regional charm while strengthening Taiwan’s rich cultural identity and vitality. </li> <li>Tourism: Developing a trillion-NT-dollar tourism industry that encompasses the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) economy, as well as concerts, international conferences and international competitions. </li> </ol> We are also putting special focus on an ongoing plan for the diversified revitalization and development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). In 2026, the plan will allocate NT$10.9 billion (approx. US$346.5 million) to expand international market channels and facilitate net-zero and digital transformations.  Speaking of digital transformation, last year we focused on the fields of smart dining services and smart health care, successfully introducing such technologies to 551 locations and counting. This year we are expanding to smart manufacturing, smart business services and smart livestock farming.  In February this year, the Advanced Semiconductor R&D Center at Hsinchu Science Park officially began construction. The center will be Taiwan’s first next-generation high-tech semiconductor facility with a 12-inch wafer pilot production line. It will support startups and small and medium-sized integrated circuit (IC) design companies by lowering verification barriers and accelerating the commercialization of technologies.  The government is advancing several new measures to encourage childbirth, support childrearing and invest in education. Childbirth allowances have been increased to NT$100,000 (approx. US$3,179) per child, regardless of social insurance enrollment status. Version 3.0 of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) subsidy program now provides up to NT$150,000 (approx. US$4,768) to first-time applicants. Furthermore, our national child care policy 2.0 for ages 0-6 is also reducing the burden of child care on families.  In education, we will continue to alleviate the costs of tuition and fees at private universities and colleges; offer financial aid for student accommodation at colleges and universities; promote a dormitory re-design initiative to improve student living environments; and cultivate talent and research through a scholarship program for doctoral students. Beyond these new measures, we are also looking at expanding eligibility for dedicated savings accounts that will help young people aged 7-18 accumulate their first nest egg for the future.  To realize the vision of a healthier Taiwan, the government last year greatly increased funding for cancer screenings from NT$2.8 billion (approx. US$89 million) to NT$6.8 billion (approx. US$216.1 million) and established a fund for new cancer medicines. To address Taiwan’s transition to a super-aged society, we are allocating NT$115.3 billion (approx. US$3.7 billion) this year to the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 to strengthen the integration of home, community, medical and institutional care services. A more secure Taiwan In the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing gray-zone harassment, Taiwan’s government and people are the armed forces’ staunchest supporters. Over the past 10 years, in addition to cumulative salary increases of 14.7% for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers, we have also made 23 additional adjustments to military allowances across various categories and recently approved additional allowances for drone combat units.  This year’s national defense budget totals NT$949.5 billion (approx. US$30.2 billion), accounting for 3.32% of GDP. A proposed special act on procurement to enhance defensive resilience and asymmetric capabilities would allocate NT$1.25 trillion (approx. US$40 billion) over the next eight years to bolster Taiwan’s advanced military capabilities, establishing a multi-layer defense structure, introducing high-tech and AI-driven defense systems, and promoting the growth of defense industries.  Under the special act, the U.S. government has already formally provided draft Letters of Offer and Acceptance for three arms sale cases—TOW missiles, Javelin anti-armor missiles and M109A7 Self-Propelled Howitzers. According to the arms sale procedure, the letters must be signed and the first payment made by March 31. In combating fraud, both the number of fraud cases and associated financial losses have declined since the launch of version 2.0 of our next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines and the enactment of four key pieces of anti-fraud legislation: the Fraud Crime Hazard Prevention Act and amendments to the Communication Security and Surveillance Act, Money Laundering Control Act, and Code of Criminal Procedure. Going forward, we will continue to advance our comprehensive campaign against fraud.  A more equitable Taiwan Following rapid economic growth, we want to ensure everybody enjoys its rewards and to create a more equitable Taiwan. The government has raised the minimum wage for 10 consecutive years, bringing the monthly minimum wage to NT$29,500 (approx. US$938), with projections that it will exceed NT$30,000 (approx. US$954) next year—delivering tangible improvements to people’s livelihoods.  To provide meaningful tax relief, we have increased the tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses per person to NT$213,000 (approx. US$6,770) and raised the special deduction for individuals in long-term care to NT$180,000 (approx. US$5,721). Next year we will continue adjusting tax exemptions, deductions and tax brackets based on relevant economic indicators.  To further strengthen social benefits, we are increasing the government’s contribution ratio to the farmer pension savings system from 50% to 60%; raising the monthly welfare allowance for elderly farmers to NT$10,000 (approx. US$318); and increasing the basic monthly benefit under the National Pension to NT$5,000 (approx. US$159). Guided by the three principles of improving people's livelihoods, protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining fiscal sustainability, we are also boosting living allowance subsidies for vulnerable groups, including disabled people, low-to-middle income seniors, and disadvantaged children and adolescents.  To enrich young people’s lives and encourage them to explore diverse life paths, the government has been issuing three types of digital vouchers—Culture Points, Hakka Coin and Sports Coin—which are redeemable toward spending on corresponding cultural and athletic activities. We will continue to expand the size and scope of these vouchers.  The NT$10 billion (approx. US$317.9 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative provides young people with opportunities to engage in international exchanges across various professional fields. This year, the initiative has expanded to offer 34 programs and 355 slots specifically for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, rural areas, indigenous groups, and families facing special hardships, so that young people may dream freely, unhindered by urban-rural barriers or economic circumstances. Conclusion As the new legislative session begins, I urge all caucuses, regardless of party affiliation, to put the nation’s interests first and support the passage of three key bills: the Executive Yuan’s proposed amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, to make our economy safer; the central government's 2026 general budget, to make our society safer; and the proposed special act on procurement to enhance defensive resilience and asymmetric capabilities, to make our nation safer.  I firmly believe that now is the finest era of the Republic of China (Taiwan). We are ready to stand atop the highest peaks on the global stage.  I am confident, too, that our renewed national vision will make the Republic of China (Taiwan) more open, more prosperous and more secure. Taiwan must continue to grow into a more enlightened society and a more equitable nation.  Thank you.   <上版日期>115-02-24 <更新日期>115-03-12 <發布日期>115-03-12 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/492c3353-04fe-460c-bba3-f57e76bb4bb2 <標題>Premier Cho Jung-tai’s oral policy report to 4th session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected portions of the premier’s report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: The international landscape has grown increasingly turbulent in recent years. Changes in U.S. tariff policy, rising geopolitical risks and fluctuating energy prices have all contributed to global economic instability. Yet we continue to move forward with steadiness and caution, turning crises into opportunities. In the first half of 2025, Taiwan’s economic growth rate was 6.75% and goods exports reached US$283.3 billion, a year-on-year increase of 25.9%. For the full year 2025, total exports are projected to achieve a historic high of US$589.2 billion. The newly implemented U.S. tariffs are expected to impact Taiwan’s exports and industrial output, but demand remains robust for our emerging technology products. Consequently, the forecast for 2025’s annual economic growth rate has been revised upward to 4.45%, with total GDP expected to surpass NT$27 trillion (approximately US$886.1 billion), demonstrating the stability and resilience of the Taiwanese economy.  Taiwan has proactively engaged in dialogue with the U.S. government since the latter imposed reciprocal tariffs on countries around the world in April this year. The discussions have yet to conclude, and negotiations remain ongoing. Throughout the talks, our negotiating team has stood by the principles of safeguarding our national and industrial interests, public health and food security. In order to maintain Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness, we are currently seeking more favorable and reasonable tariff rates, as well as preferential tariff treatment in the ongoing investigation of imports under Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Moving forward, Taiwan will face many different challenges. I urge our administrative team to act swiftly and take bold responsibility. Every policy and measure we implement should not only address the issues at hand, but also guide the course of the country’s future development.  Five major policy directions 1. Supporting diverse industries and an innovative economy To establish a firm foundation for Taiwan’s prosperity and sustainable development, the central government has allocated NT$31.1 billion (approx. US$1 billion) from its 2026 general budget toward 10 major artificial intelligence (AI) projects. These projects are a critical priority for the nation’s future and a major undertaking that concerns the transformation and improvement of human life. The Executive Yuan has also approved a draft bill for a basic law on AI, which was submitted on August 28 to the Legislature for your deliberation. The proposed bill seeks to foster an environment conducive to AI development and application, enable smart living for all, and promote Taiwan as an “AI island,” positioning the nation as a key global driver in the rise of AI technology.  The government’s 10 major AI projects will target three main areas within Taiwan’s AI ecosystem. (1) Smart applications: Enhancing the software industry and transforming traditional industries to fix labor shortages and deliver more convenient, comfortable AI-powered lifestyles to the public. (2) Key technologies: Deploying forward-looking tech to pave the way for future AI and economic growth. (3) Digital infrastructure: Including the development of sovereign AI to demonstrate Taiwan’s technological capability. Together, the 10 projects are expected to generate over NT$15 trillion (approx. US$492.3 billion) in economic output, create 500,000 job opportunities and establish three world-class laboratories by 2040.  Beginning this year, the government has also launched a 10-year plan to strengthen investment in AI startups. The plan allocates NT$10 billion (approx. US$328.2 million) to boost AI industry investment, leveraging public-private partnerships to identify promising ventures. Support will be provided through five key policy levers—computing power, data, talent, marketing and capital—with the aim of growing the digital economy into Taiwan’s next trillion-NT-dollar industry. Accelerating the comprehensive development of the semiconductor, drone and smart robotics industries is one of the key priorities of our administrative team. In the semiconductor sector, we assist manufacturers in advancing cutting-edge process and packaging technologies, reinforcing Taiwan’s global leadership in wafer foundry services, integrated circuit (IC) design, and packaging and testing. We are also actively supporting the development of semiconductor materials and equipment. Industry output is projected to increase by NT$2.6 trillion (approx. US$85.3 billion) by 2028. Meanwhile, for Taiwan’s drone industry to achieve our goal of NT$40 billion (approx. US$1.3 billion) in output value by 2030, we must focus on three priorities: increasing autonomy in core drone technologies; integrating military and commercial drone technologies while developing countermeasure systems; and building drone industry clusters. The government has established the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance to connect with international markets, and is collaborating with the local private sector to build a national coalition dedicated to advancing Taiwan’s drone industry. Smart robotics is also key for the next stage of development in Taiwan’s technology sector. As the population structure shifts rapidly, smart robots offer vital solutions to labor shortages and the growing demand for elderly care. Accordingly, the Executive Yuan in July approved a plan to promote the smart robotics industry (2026-2029).  In August, the Executive Yuan approved a plan to develop next-generation communications technology (2025-2030), seizing the opportunity to expand into this emerging industry and complementing the third phase of the National Space Technology Long-term Development Program (2019-2031). Through these initiatives, we are building a self-reliant, technology-driven framework for industrial innovation, deepening international cooperation, strengthening Taiwan’s critical role in the global supply chain, and empowering our next-generation communications industry with strategic influence in international decision-making.  To further fortify our position in the global supply chain, the Executive Yuan in July approved a plan to actively promote Five Trusted Industry Sectors: semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications. The plan aims to make Taiwan an indispensable and trusted technological partner of democracies around the world, and, through innovation-driven industrial development, create high-paying jobs and bolster national security and resilience. In response to rapid shifts in the international economic landscape and to meet the needs of industries undergoing digital and net-zero transformations, amendments to the Industrial Innovation Statute were promulgated on May 7. These amendments include an extension of tax incentives for investments in smart machinery, 5G and information security through the end of 2029, along with additional measures to encourage greater investment in startup enterprises. This year, the government allocated NT$11.6 billion (approx. US$380.7 million) toward a plan for the diversified revitalization and development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative assists MSMEs with digital transformation, net-zero transition and channel development, while also establishing a one-stop rapid service center to offer streamlined, direct support. In July, the Kaohsiung Asset Management Zone was inaugurated as part of the broader Asian Asset Management Center initiative. Serving as a key launching point for Taiwan’s ambition to become Asia’s central hub for asset management, the Kaohsiung Zone will actively promote financial measures to attract more overseas capital and returning talent, broaden and deepen Taiwan’s asset management market, and set new milestones in the country’s expansion into international financial markets. Taiwanese agriculture currently faces many challenges. To mitigate the impact of new U.S. tariff policies, the government has put forward an NT$18 billion (approx. US$590.8 million) support package for agriculture and fisheries, aimed at stabilizing short-term financing and facilitating industry transformation and upgrading. In addition, the government has been proactively advancing smart agriculture and fisheries, including applications of AI to enable precision management of farms. Remote sensing and AI are also being used to rapidly assess damage from disasters. These measures accelerate response and recovery efforts, protect farmers’ livelihoods, bolster industry resilience, and uphold the rights and interests of farmers and fishers. In May, Taiwan was officially recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health as free of classical swine fever. It is now the only country in Asia free of classical swine fever, African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, representing not only a major milestone in animal disease prevention and inspection, but also a mark of quality for promoting Taiwanese pork in international markets. As for the tourism industry, the first half of 2025 saw about 4.2 million visits to Taiwan, an increase of 10.1% compared to the same period last year. Arrivals from Japan and South Korea continue to grow steadily, while the U.S. has become our fourth-largest source of international visitors. These trends show that Taiwan’s tourism industry has moved beyond its past reliance on a single market and can now embrace more diverse global markets, striving for both greater quality and scale.   To further grow the tourism industry, the government will coordinate cross-sector cooperation and resource investment to actively implement promotion strategies such as strengthening Taiwan’s new tourism brand, advertising themed travel itineraries and exchanges, and enhancing the capabilities of overseas service centers. In addition, the central government’s 2026 general budget newly allocates NT$7.5 billion (approx. US$246.2 million) to stimulate demand for domestic travel through initiatives spanning the economy, transportation, culture and sports. The government will promote weekday travel discounts to incentivize local tourism and will actively encourage events—including those in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry, as well as concerts, international conferences and international competitions—to be held in Taiwan, in order to energize tourism and drive consumer spending. 2. Easing people’s burdens with care across all ages Our administrative team is actively working to reduce the cost of living for the public, striving to ensure that people feel supported by the state at every stage of life. This year, individual income tax exemptions and deductions have been substantially increased. Our government continues to push for lighter taxation and streamlined administration. To help families better care for young children, the Executive Yuan is not only continuing to implement the national child care policy 2.0 for ages 0-6, but has also recently approved version 2.0 of a national program to address declining birth rates (2026-2029), along with a draft bill for a new child care services act. We hope these efforts will lead to improved care environments so that all young children can grow up safe and healthy. The government also continues to provide grants for the construction of new public preschool facilities, working with communities to create more child-friendly spaces and enabling more families to access affordable education and care services. To build a more comprehensive system of public support, the government continues to advance initiatives to strengthen the workplace and job market, aiming to increase labor participation among women and middle-aged and older adults. Relevant measures include vocational training, allowances for parental leave without pay, child care subsidies, flexible work hours and other measures for a friendlier workplace. Starting in 2026, parents will be able to apply for parental leave without pay in single-day units, and for family care leave in hourly units, thus reducing the burden of childrearing and elder care, and fostering family-friendly work environments. To effectively ease the housing burden for the public, we have extended the central government’s NT$30 billion (approx. US$984.6 million) expanded rent subsidy program through next year, and we are collaborating with the private sector to offer various types of social and youth housing. In particular, we are continuing our program to support 1 million renter households. By 2032, this program aims to provide a cumulative total of 750,000 homes with annual rent allowances and supply 250,000 additional social housing units through either direct construction or a subleasing and management program. To encourage childbirth, the government will launch a rental housing support policy in 2026 that gives newlyweds and parents of young children larger housing allowances, priority move-in access and extended lease terms. Furthermore, the government will allocate new funding to ensure that maternity benefit payments of up to NT$100,000 (approx. US$3282) are available under all social insurance programs, helping to alleviate financial stress on the younger generation. Taiwan becomes a super-aged society this year, and our elderly and disabled populations continue to grow. Our government has acted proactively and preemptively to establish high-quality, affordable and accessible long-term care service systems. Building on the foundation of diverse, community-based services put in place by the Long-term Care Plan 2.0, we will soon launch the Long-term Care Plan 3.0. This next phase will strengthen the integration of medical and care services, expand the range and reach of services, provide greater support to long-term care households and institutions, better connect the medical and social welfare systems, and enhance care for disabled people. Following President Lai Ching-te’s goal to cut cancer deaths by one-third by 2030, the government is expanding key initiatives such as improving early-stage cancer screening, focusing on genetic testing and precision medicine, establishing an NT$10 billion (approx. US$328.2 million) fund for new cancer drugs, and launching the “888 Program” to tackle the “three highs” of high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol. Furthermore, in response to Taiwan’s changing population structure and growing health care demands, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the National Health Insurance system, we have introduced the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan (2025-2029). This plan aims to comprehensively strengthen medical institutions, enhance public health and welfare, and position Taiwan as the most medically advanced country in the Asia-Pacific region, in accordance with President Lai’s policy vision for a healthier Taiwan. Last year, the Executive Yuan approved a four-year NT$27.5 billion (approx. US$902.6 million) plan to boost the nation's nursing workforce. This year, our general budget allocates NT$6.685 billion (approx. US$219.4 million) toward the improvement of work environments for medical personnel. We are implementing a range of strategies, including the expansion of an integrated inpatient care program and the adoption of technologies to reduce the workload of nurses. At the same time, the government is actively introducing AI and smart innovations to assist data management at hospitals and clinics. To address Taiwan’s aging population, the government plans to launch a policy in 2026 to promote home-based health care technology. This policy aims to drive adoption of smart technologies, extend medical and care services into homes and communities, alleviate strain on health care workers and address the diverse care needs of the public, while also spurring innovative development in the biomedical industry. 3. Empowering every generation to achieve self-realization  Aligning with the global trend of youth mainstreaming, the Executive Yuan approved a draft bill for a basic law on youth affairs. The proposed legislation aims to ensure opportunities and channels for youth participation in public affairs, establish more comprehensive public support systems, promote diverse youth development, and strengthen Taiwan’s competitiveness in the new era. To support young people in school and life, the government has implemented free tuition for all senior and vocational high school students, while providing financial aid for tuition and fees at private colleges and universities, aiming to narrow the cost gap between public and private institutions. We are also offering financial aid for student accommodation at colleges and universities and launched a dormitory re-design initiative to improve their living environments. Furthermore, the government is enhancing the cultivation of top-tier talent and research capacity through a scholarship program for doctoral students, while empowering youth to boldly chase their dreams through international exchanges via the NT$10 billion (approx. US$328.2 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative. To safeguard labor safety and health, while addressing international development trends, domestic industry conditions and public expectations, the Executive Yuan has submitted draft amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act for legislative deliberation, with a view to fostering friendlier working environments and demonstrating the government’s firm commitment to protecting workers’ rights. Next year will mark the 10th consecutive annual increase in minimum wages. From 2016 to 2026, the monthly minimum wage will rise by 47.4% from NT$20,008 (approx. US$657) to NT$29,500 (approx. US$968), and the hourly wage will increase by 63.3% from NT$120 (approx. US$3.94) to NT$196 (approx. US$6.43). To continue raising overall wage levels, the government will apply a diverse range of innovative strategies, which include promoting industrial upgrading and transformation, increasing wage transparency and providing effective incentives for companies to adjust salaries upward. The Ministry of Sports, newly inaugurated on September 9, will actively encourage fitness habits for all, bolster support for athletes’ development and rights protection, expand the sports industry, promote international sports engagement and advance adaptive sports, thereby ushering in a new era for sports in Taiwan. Culture lies at the foundation of a nation and is an integral part of everyday life. Under the Taiwan Culture Base program, 110 “culture bases” from across Taiwan—each reflecting the nation’s unique history, culture and ecology—have been identified, with more to be selected in the future. By attracting tourism, these bases will contribute to the development of a cultural industry with meaningful economic scale. This year, the Executive Yuan approved version 2.0 of the Regeneration of Historic Sites project, with plans to commit more public funding and policy support. By integrating local culture, startups and creative sectors, the updated project aims to not only support the restoration of historical sites, but also to revitalize the spirit of Taiwan’s heritage. To nurture Taiwan’s cultural and creative industries and deepen its cultural foundations, the government this year lowered the eligibility age for the Culture Points voucher program from 16 to 13, providing the younger generation with more opportunities to explore vibrant and diverse cultural experiences. The Ministry of Culture’s 2026 budget, which includes the Cultural Development Fund, will again exceed NT$30 billion (approx. US$984.6 million). This funding will not only strengthen Taiwan’s cultural and arts industries, but also expand the international reach of local cultures, giving them wings to carry Taiwan to the world. To foster a society that upholds gender equality, we are implementing a national action plan for preventing gender-based violence (2025-2027). By integrating prevention efforts into the government’s overall development strategy, the plan aims to establish a comprehensive prevention system and promote a culture of zero tolerance for such violence. Ethnic diversity is both a defining feature and a source of pride for Taiwanese society, as well as a key value underpinning the government’s efforts to promote ethnic equality. To uphold the constitutional guarantees of indigenous peoples’ rights to identity and cultural recognition, and in response to over 20 years of advocacy for the official recognition of plains indigenous groups (also known as the Pingpu peoples), the Executive Yuan has submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation a draft bill for an act pertaining to the status of plains indigenous groups. This proposed law aims to advance ethnic equality and promote the inclusive development of a multiethnic society.  As part of efforts to promote Hakka cultural heritage and revitalize the economies of Hakka villages, the government is distributing 280,000 Hakka Coin digital vouchers, each worth NT$1,000 (approx. US$32.82), to encourage people to engage with the Hakka language, culture and villages. The government will also continue to invest in the revitalization of Hakka villages by improving their living environments, creating more job opportunities, incentivizing the transmission of the Hakka language and developing the “HA-FOOD” brand, thereby positioning Hakka culture as a valued contributor to global cultural diversity. 4. Advancing balanced, sustainable development throughout Taiwan The government is expediting the implementation of six major regional flagship projects, each corresponding to a specific region of Taiwan: (1) a “golden corridors” project aimed at developing tech innovation, tourism, marine industries and green energy in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Yilan; (2) a “Silicon Valley” in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli; (3) a new center for precision machinery and smart technology in Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Yunlin; (4) a southern “Silicon Valley” in Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung; (5) a “slow living” project focusing on smart agriculture and leisure industries in Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and southern Pingtung; and (6) a low-carbon, sustainable recreation initiative in the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu. These initiatives will effectively reduce disparities between the cities and the countryside, as well as between the rich and the poor, while accelerating balanced regional development. To attract private funding into Taiwan's public infrastructure, the government launched the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan, and is actively pursuing a strategy based on innovative mechanisms for advancing public-private partnerships. As of the end of August 2025, the value of contracts nationwide that involve private sector participation in public infrastructure has reached NT$157.2 billion (approx. US$5.2 billion), and over the next four years, this number is expected to reach NT$682.9 billion (approx. US$22.4 billion), with an anticipated creation of 126,000 jobs. Our major infrastructure projects are making steady progress toward balancing regional development across Taiwan. The Danjiang Bridge and its connecting roads are slated for completion by the end of this year and expected to open to traffic in May next year; the North Concourse of Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 3 will open this December; and the first phase of construction for a new terminal at Kaohsiung International Airport is scheduled for completion in 2032. Penghu’s Magong Visitor Center officially opened in April this year, introducing smart services that breathe new life into the development of Penghu’s tourism and leisure industries. A new large-scale visitor center at Kinmen’s Shuitou Pier, scheduled for completion this November, will be able to accommodate international cruise ships of up to 10,000 gross tons, supporting the government’s vision of developing a world-class passenger and tourism port in Kinmen. Suhua Highway, part of Provincial Highway No. 9, is the only major road connecting Hualien and Taitung to Yilan and Taipei, but it has experienced increasingly frequent closures due to typhoons and earthquakes. In response, the Executive Yuan approved a Suhua Highway safety enhancement project in August this year, allocating a total budget of NT$105.6 billion (approx. US$3.5 billion), with full completion and opening of the entire route expected in 2032. Launched in July 2023 to promote transportation equity and sustainable mobility, TPASS monthly travel passes have been utilized more than 1.1 billion times as of July 2025. To build on these results, the Executive Yuan approved the TPASS program’s extension (2026-2029), committing a budget of NT$36.38 billion (approx. US$1.2 billion). By 2029, the program is expected to achieve a monthly average of 800,000 trips across all of its initiatives, further boosting public transportation use. In line with the goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Executive Yuan approved phase three of its periodic regulatory goals for greenhouse gas emission in May this year. Compared to 2005 baseline levels, national greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 28% (plus or minus 2%) by 2030, a more ambitious reduction target than the 24% (plus or minus 1%) announced in 2022. Taiwan’s electricity emission factor—a measure of the amount of carbon emitted per unit of electricity generated—is set to be lowered to 0.319 kg CO2e per kilowatt-hour by 2030. These goals will serve as a basis for the nation’s carbon reduction efforts over the next five years. Additionally, Taiwan will announce its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) by the end of this year, seeking to reach its new carbon reduction targets through strengthened public engagement and a national decarbonization action plan. We understand the public’s call for diversified energy options. On the issue of nuclear energy, the government will adhere to three principles—ensuring nuclear safety, resolving nuclear waste and achieving social consensus—and maintain an open attitude on the adoption of new nuclear technologies if they meet these criteria. Through efforts to promote energy transition, energy saving and manufacturing process improvements, Taiwan has in recent years attained a 5.1% average annual rate of energy efficiency improvement, surpassing the global 4% target set at the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) ahead of schedule. Leading up to 2030, the government will focus on conducting coal-to-gas switching; deploying advanced carbon reduction technologies; promoting diverse green energy sources, including wind power, solar photovoltaics (PV), hydropower and deep geothermal power; and implementing forward-looking solutions in areas such as energy storage, deep energy saving and resilient power grids. Since the launch of the second energy transition initiative in 2024, we have prioritized the development of diverse green energy sources, implemented a program promoting deep energy saving (2024-2027) to continue upgrading energy use efficiency, and officially introduced a carbon fee system this year. We are resolute, steady and strategically nimble in our progress toward net-zero status by 2050, pursuing sustainable growth and shared prosperity as part of the global community. Taiwan is uniquely endowed with favorable geographic and environmental conditions for developing offshore wind power. Last year, we added 1.783 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity to the grid—the highest annual increase among democratic countries—bringing the nation’s total installed capacity to 3.04 GW, the fifth highest globally. As of mid-September this year, Taiwan has 455 offshore wind turbines nationwide, totaling 4.18 GW of installed capacity. Regarding solar energy, the nation’s total installed solar PV capacity has reached 15 GW as of August this year, with 9.6 GW from rooftop systems and 5.4 GW from ground-mounted systems. To further accelerate solar PV deployment, the government will invest NT$4.08 billion (approx. US$133.9 million) over four years starting in 2025 to implement the Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Installation Acceleration Plan, aiming to install an additional 1.2 GW of capacity from rooftop systems. This initiative will support Taiwan’s steady progress toward its 2026 goals of reaching 20 GW in total solar PV capacity and generating 20% of its electricity from green sources. To address the growing threat of extreme weather events and challenges of continued economic development, long-term investment in flood control and water management infrastructure is essential. In this regard, the government’s eight-year, NT$80 billion (US$2.6 billion) water management construction initiative and its water environment infrastructure project under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program have already produced initial results. The central government has budgeted NT$53.7 billion (US$1.8 billion) toward the completion of systematic flood control works in 2026. We will continue to focus on promoting new approaches to water management and supply, and on reducing leakage rates. This will include integrating emerging technologies, such as AI, into disaster preparedness to strengthen flood resilience and ensure a stable, sustainable water supply for Taiwan. Construction of the Hsinchu Desalination Plant began in May this year, demonstrating the government’s commitment to securing a stable water supply and building resilient water infrastructure. Once completed, the facility will be Taiwan’s first large-scale public seawater desalination plant, with a daily capacity of 100,000 metric tons and an annual output of 30 million metric tons. It is expected to significantly enhance water supply stability and source autonomy in the Hsinchu region, bringing vital water resources to support the development of the “Silicon Valley” spanning Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli. Meanwhile, to assist the growth of the southern “Silicon Valley” spanning Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, the newly constructed Rende Reclaimed Water Plant in Tainan officially began supplying water in April this year. Capable of producing approximately 8,000 metric tons of reclaimed water daily and around 2.9 million metric tons annually, the plant provides this reclaimed water to nearby industrial users in exchange for their clean tap water supply being redirected to distant users through existing pipelines. The plant is the first in Taiwan to adopt this new diversified, sustainable approach to water management. To improve the efficiency of water resource utilization, the government will invest NT$80.8 billion (US$2.7 billion) over the next eight years to continue the Water Leakage Rate Reduction Plan (2025-2032), which includes the adoption of smart methods to monitor and reduce leakage. By the end of this year, Taiwan’s leakage rate is expected to fall to 11.55% or lower, and the goal is to reduce it to 10% by 2031. 5. Strengthening social resilience and national security To bolster public security, we will continue our policy of tackling five major types of crimes (organized crime, financial crime, gun crime, drug crime and fraud crime) and upholding safety in seven key areas (public safety, food safety, road safety, occupational safety, school safety, housing safety and cyber safety). This year, the government introduced version 2.0 of its next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines, aimed at strengthening anti-fraud capabilities across strategic, legal and organizational dimensions. The guidelines’ three main goals are to raise fraud awareness, reduce the number of incidents and minimize financial losses, enabling the establishment of a nationwide anti-fraud network capable of intervening early to stop scams. For the year 2026, the government has allocated NT$8.3 billion (US$272.4 million) to anti-fraud efforts. It will continue to build a more resilient anti-fraud network in collaboration with all digital platforms, enhance public awareness through diverse channels, and work with financial institutions to reinforce financial safeguards against fraud. From January to August, we thwarted 13,671 cases of fraud, preventing over NT$9.6 billion (US$315.1 million) in financial losses. Drug enforcement is a core component of public security. The government will continue implementing phase three of the New Generation Anti-Drug Strategy Guidelines, devoting NT$15 billion (US$492.3 million) over four years to advance a strategy aimed at cutting off supply and demand, mitigating harm, supporting stable reintegration and preventing recidivism. In addition, international cooperation on drug control has been bolstered. On August 18, 2025, Taiwan and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on intelligence sharing and cooperation to combat transnational drug crimes, marking a new chapter in Taiwan-U.S. law enforcement collaboration. To help curb the harm caused by fentanyl in the U.S., Taiwan began requiring, as of March 31 this year, that all exported tablet presses and related key components be marked with serial numbers. This measure, which is similar to those used for tracking firearms, serves to prevent the illegal use of tablet press equipment and, as the first of its kind in Asia, demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to fulfilling its international responsibilities in combating drug crime. In response to ever-evolving cyber threats and attacks, as well as other cybersecurity challenges posed by emerging technologies such as AI, the Executive Yuan approved the seventh phase of the National Cybersecurity Development Program (2025-2028) to enhance Taiwan’s information security ecosystem and drive the development of cybersecurity defense capabilities that leverage emerging technologies. Furthermore, after the Legislature passed the third and final reading of amendments to the Cyber Security Management Act on August 29 this year, the amended act was promulgated by the president on September 24, laying a long-term legal foundation for cybersecurity governance. To fortify Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and fulfill the president’s national defense pledge, the central government’s 2026 national defense budget will be the highest ever at NT$949.5 billion (US$31.2 billion), accounting for 3.32% of GDP and calculated according to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) standards.  Aiming to fully realize defense autonomy, the government plans to produce 66 new-model advanced jet trainers from 2017 to 2026, with 49 delivered as of September this year. In addition, to augment airspace defense capabilities against ever-evolving drone threats, the government has procured 26 counter-drone systems this year, and it will continue tapping diversified channels to acquire various types of drones and drone countermeasures, thereby enhancing overall operational and defensive capabilities. On the diplomatic front, the government is pursuing a strategy of integrated diplomacy, continuing to deepen substantive cooperation and partnerships with our allies and like-minded partners. In June this year, Taiwan and the U.K. signed three pillar arrangements under our Enhanced Trade Partnership. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress has introduced more than 20 bills and resolutions in support of Taiwan. On the topic of cross-strait relations, the government is firmly committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In the face of hybrid pressure tactics from the Chinese Communist Party, we will continue to uphold the Four Commitments and Four Unchanged Commitments, and actively implement President Lai's Four Pillars of Peace action plan and 17 national security response strategies, so as to safeguard our national sovereignty and interests and to protect the free and democratic way of life our people hold dear. Conclusion: Advancing together for a strong, united Taiwan Undaunted by challenges at home and abroad, Taiwan has proven itself to be a nation capable of overcoming adversity, remaining steadfast amid shifting tides and charting the path forward on the basis of constitutional democracy. Our administrative team will prioritize efficiency and action in four key areas—the economy, people’s livelihood, vulnerable groups and the youth—to ensure a sustainable future for Taiwan and a society where people can live secure and fulfilling lives. The national interest transcends partisan divisions. We look forward to a new mode of engagement between the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan, where we can work together, guided by the Constitution and our laws, to advance the nation’s long-term development and maximize the welfare of all Taiwanese people. Thank you! <上版日期>114-09-30 <更新日期>114-10-21 <發布日期>114-10-15 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/bc2dd6a3-e589-4df8-a987-1518ba69cf97 <標題>Premier Cho Jung-tai's oral policy report to 3rd session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected portions of the premier's report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: In early 2024, Taiwan’s democratic elections took place, followed by the formation of a new government and subsequent efforts by the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan to cooperate. Last year, we also witnessed rhetorical attacks, military intimidation and threats of war on the international stage, in addition to experiencing a rapidly changing economic and trade order and the restructuring of industrial supply chains. Nevertheless, through the hard work of our people and collaborative development among industries, we progressed through integration and prospered through adaptation. To address the future challenges and opportunities facing our nation, the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan should—grounded in respect and tolerance—cooperate to advocate for and pass bills that benefit Taiwan and the public. This is the most heartfelt hope of our people. If the Executive Yuan deems that a bill passed by the Legislative Yuan involves significant disputes or is difficult to implement, it may, with the president’s approval, seek remedies through constitutional procedures, such as submitting a request for reconsideration or for constitutional interpretation. The Constitutional Court will clarify the matter and safeguard the constitutional order to fortify democracy through democratic practices and strengthen Taiwan's resilience. During this legislative session, I hope that the two Yuans can prioritize the will of the people and work together to advance bills that benefit the long-term development of our nation, including key bills addressing public needs and concerns, so that Taiwan can continue moving forward. 1. The five major challenges going forward Population policy: Caring for families is also the nation’s responsibility The latest estimates from the National Development Council highlight our nation’s declining birth rate and population, with our population projected to fall below 23 million by 2030. Faced with the dual challenges of a super-aged society and a declining birth rate, industries must address future issues related to labor supply and demand. Given that these challenges contribute to rising social welfare expenditures, the government must take swift action to maintain fiscal stability. To this end, we will expand investment in social and medical services to alleviate the burden on families, drive future growth through an innovative economy, promote industrial transformation, build a smart nation and support local aspirations by ensuring balanced development across counties and cities. These are the new policies and initiatives we must push forward in response to the demographic shift.  Fighting fraud and drugs: Building a safe and resilient Taiwan On the domestic security front, criminal activities continue to evolve as society progresses. Various ever-evolving fraud tactics, including fake investment opportunities on social media platforms, online shopping scams and fraudulent relationships established for financial exploitation, have become major public safety concerns. Additionally, the entry of emerging drugs into schools has increased the risk of young people being led astray, causing harm to both their health and society. Therefore, strengthening public security to combat fraud and address drug-related issues is essential for improving the well-being of our people. Talent and workforce: Creating a supportive workplace that balances expectations and reality According to statistics from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, more than 8.45 million people were employed nationwide last year. However, the expectations of workers and the talent demands of enterprises may not always be fully met. For example, will workers across all industries benefit from the ongoing trend of rapid artificial intelligence (AI) development? With the increasing demand for health care and family caregiving, is there sufficient manpower to meet these needs? Therefore, in addition to raising the salaries of our military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers, the government is encouraging businesses to increase wages. It is actively aligning with the recruitment needs of industries and helping micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to transform effectively, accelerating the move toward the comprehensive application of AI. Future talent and labor policies must strike a balance between expectations and reality for workers and provide industries with the talent and resources they need, ensuring that labor supply and demand are met across different industries. Stable prices: Ensuring steady livelihoods to maintain social stability In the domestic market, supply and demand are easily influenced by natural disasters, weather and holidays, and are often impacted by fluctuations in international raw material prices. Maintaining stable commodity prices is crucial to fulfilling the government’s responsibility of providing peace of mind to our people, and our aim is to keep the annual growth rate of the consumer price index below 2%. Energy transition: New green energy, new energy saving, new energy storage With overseas Taiwanese businesses and international corporations expanding their investments in Taiwan, and as the semiconductor and AI industries continue to develop rapidly, protecting the security and stability of our energy supply is not only crucial for meeting our people’s needs but also serves as a key foundation for industrial development and national security. As a key player in the global technology supply chain, Taiwan must expand its climate action and intensify its carbon reduction efforts to enhance the international competitiveness of its industries.  We must fully realize Taiwan’s second energy transition, which involves developing diverse green energy sources, enhancing industrial energy saving and advancing energy storage technologies. Through cross-ministry and interdisciplinary cooperation, we will work with the private sector to implement an energy strategy centered on prioritizing carbon reduction, with the goal of achieving net zero. This will support green growth for the next generation and the gradual transition to net zero by 2050. To tackle these key challenges, the government will take concrete steps to achieve eight major policy goals under the guidance of the National Project of Hope, pursuing the vision of a Taiwan with democratic peace, innovation-driven prosperity and just sustainability. 2. Preparing Taiwan for the next stage of development Expanding social care for youth To alleviate the burden on young parents raising children, public preschools began offering extended care services on weekdays and extra care services during summer and winter vacations starting last year. Additionally, the government continues to advance the national child care policy 2.0 for children aged zero to under six. To provide equitable educational opportunities for students, we have continued to narrow the tuition and fee gap between public and private universities and colleges, and we have also implemented free tuition for all senior and vocational high school students. To support young adults entering the workforce, we have increased the minimum monthly wage to NT$28,590 (US$871.78) and the minimum hourly wage to NT$190 (US$5.79) this year, representing increases of approximately 4.08% and 3.8%, respectively, and marking the ninth consecutive year of wage increases. Additionally, the salaries for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers have been raised by 3%, in the hope of stimulating wage growth in the private sector. The government plans to increase overall domestic wages through various innovative strategies, such as promoting pay transparency and introducing tangible incentives for businesses to raise wages. It has also continued to implement tax reductions, increasing the tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses, the overall exemption amount, standard deductions and various special deductions for the 2024 income tax year. To empower youth to boldly chase their dreams on the global stage, the Executive Yuan has approved the Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative, providing youth aged 15 to 30 with diverse avenues for international experiences, with individual cases being eligible for subsidies of up to NT$2 million (US$60,985). To address the work flexibility needs of employees, we are advancing a “dual employment and dual care” model, enhancing the public support system and striving to increase the labor participation rates of women, middle-aged and older adults. This approach encourages their return to the workforce, helping to support Taiwan's economic growth. Regarding the Employment Insurance Act, Civil Servant and Teacher Insurance Act, and Act of Insurance for Military Personnel, we are studying potential amendments that will enable parents who both claim six months of unpaid parental leave allowance to apply for a one month extension, thereby strengthening economic support and encouraging the increased involvement of men in parenthood. To expand support for younger people and ensure housing equity, the government is strengthening collaborations with the private sector to build various types of social and youth housing, while continuing to implement a program to support 1 million renter households and an NT$30 billion (US$914.8 million) expanded rent subsidy program, with the latter being extended until 2026.  Promoting an innovative economy for industries  We are building the Five Trusted Industry Sectors to make Taiwan an indispensable and reliable partner in the global democratic technology alliance. Through innovation-driven development, we aim to drive the growth of all sectors and industries. By 2028, we expect the output of the semiconductor industry to increase by NT$2.66 trillion (US$81.1 billion) and that of the drone industry to grow tenfold to NT$30 billion (US$914.8 million). Furthermore, the Executive Yuan will launch Smart Taiwan 2.0, a four-year initiative that focuses on four main areas—smart technology, smart industry, smart governance and smart inclusion—to realize the vision of building a smart technology island and a new digital society. This year, the government will invest NT$11.6 billion (US$353.7 million) to promote a program for the diversified development and revitalization of MSMEs, assisting those with fewer than 30 employees to undergo digital transformation, achieve net-zero transition and expand their domestic and international market channels. To support innovative trends and the AI and low-carbon transformations of industries, the Executive Yuan has submitted to the Legislature for deliberation draft amendments to the Statute for Industrial Innovation. Aimed at safeguarding key technologies in our industries and the nation's economic and social security, these amendments include extending tax incentives for equipment through 2029 and expanding the scope of eligible items to cover AI products and services, as well as energy-saving and carbon-reduction initiatives. The Executive Yuan has also approved a jumpstart program to enhance national talent competitiveness, aiming to strengthen the cultivation of local digital talent while attracting and retaining international talent. As of the end of the previous year, the government has approved the establishment of 20 regional talent and technology development hubs for industries such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, smart machinery and grids, and offshore wind power. We have also granted work permits to 53,770 foreign professionals and approved 17,051 foreign special professionals (including those holding Employment Gold Cards), bringing the total to 70,821. Additionally, we have retained more than 30,000 mid-level foreign technical specialists. To spur the flow of private capital toward the balanced development of Taiwan’s public infrastructure, the government has launched the Trillion NT Dollar Investment National Development Plan and established a Cabinet-level platform for advancing public-private partnerships. The plan will help direct trillions in capital investment to Taiwan’s major construction projects and industries. We also plan to transform Taiwan into Asia's center for asset management while retaining unique Taiwanese features, aiming to attract both domestic and foreign capital, strengthen the asset management industry and raise Taiwan’s competitiveness in the Asian wealth management market. Kaohsiung has been selected as the location for establishing a local asset management pilot hub, where financial institutions can operate and trial services for high-net-worth clients, international finance and cross-border finance. On January 6, 2025, we launched the upgraded Taiwan Innovation Board (TIB) and removed specific restrictions on qualified investors, allowing retail investors to participate in and support the growth of high-quality startups. Furthermore, the government has pushed through a legislative amendment to extend the reduced transaction tax—half the normal rate—on same-day stock trades for an additional three years, maintaining market momentum and fostering the securities market’s stable development. To date, the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan have attracted 1,664 companies, with investments totaling over NT$2.5277 trillion (US$77.1 billion), generating 160,749 jobs in Taiwan. These programs will continue through 2027, expanding to include Taiwanese businesses worldwide and foreign investing enterprises. They will focus on the Five Trusted Industry Sectors, the service sector and the health industry, seeking program participants that will integrate AI elements and gradually implement measures to reduce carbon emissions. We expect the programs to bring in NT$600 billion (US$18.3 billion) in investments and create approximately 40,000 jobs within the next three years.  Developing diverse green energy sources for sustainability To move toward environmentally sustainable development and accelerate alignment with international carbon reduction trends, the Ministry of Environment has outlined a draft proposal for phase three of the government’s greenhouse gas emissions goals. This proposal raises the carbon reduction target for the 2005-2030 period from the original 24% plus or minus 1% to the more ambitious 28% plus or minus 2%.  To refine the carbon pricing system, the government has announced three supplementary regulations for the carbon fee system and carbon fee rates. The carbon fee system is officially launching this year and will accelerate the transition of businesses to low-carbon models.  The government is advancing a second energy transition to maintain the security and stability of the power supply, while making strides toward the vision of a non-nuclear homeland in line with the law. Taiwan’s energy mix now consists of 39.3% coal, 42.4% natural gas, 11.6% renewable energy and 4.2% nuclear energy. This indicates a gradual decrease in the share of coal-fired power generation and a gradual increase in that of renewable energy. To bolster the neutrality and independence of green energy trading platforms, the Executive Yuan has submitted to the Legislature for deliberation draft amendments to the Electricity Act, which will bring certain types of power suppliers under regulation to foster the electricity market’s healthy development. Starting this year, the government is allocating NT$4.08 billion (US$124.4 million) over the next four years to promote the Residential Rooftop Solar Energy Installation Acceleration Plan. This will expedite the setup of solar power systems, with an additional 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of capacity expected from rooftop systems installed across Taiwan during this period. The government’s offshore wind power program has officially entered its third phase: commissioning offshore wind companies to carry out zonal development. Five wind farms signed contracts during the first round of development, while five were allocated capacity during the second round. These projects are expected to be completed and integrated into the power grid by 2030.    The government has budgeted NT$24.2 billion (US$737.9 million) this year to continue promoting deep energy saving. Led by state-owned enterprises, this policy will expand the capabilities of the energy service company (ESCO) industry by offering technical consultation and project loan credit guarantees, in addition to providing tax incentives for investment in energy-saving equipment. Building a healthier Taiwan for our people The National Health Insurance program has been in operation for 30 years. To continue providing comprehensive care for people of all ages and to contribute to international health and safety institutions, the Executive Yuan is introducing new measures for a “Healthy Taiwan,” as follows: A. We will propose the complete Long-term Care Plan 3.0. Building upon the existing long-term care service coverage of 85.43%, the plan will continue to support aging in place, strengthen integration and connection between medical and care systems, and enhance care for individuals with moderate to severe conditions. This approach will effectively link long-term care, medical, and family caregiver services, ensuring timely assistance for both care recipients and caregivers. B. This year will see the expansion of integrated inpatient care services, the second phase of a children's health care improvement program, a plan to provide mental health support for individuals aged 15 to 45, and the widening of a pilot program offering integrated care for populations in remote and rural areas.  C. We are expanding cancer screening services, broadening the groups eligible for screening. Additionally, we will establish an NT$10 billion (US$304.9 million) fund for new cancer medicines, with the goal of reducing cancer deaths by one-third by 2030. We are also advancing a medium- to long-term 12-point strategic plan to boost the nation’s nursing workforce.  D. We are implementing the 888 Program to prevent and treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. This program aims to integrate 80% of patients with these chronic conditions into the care network and provide lifestyle counseling to 80% of those within the network, ultimately helping 80% of patients bring their conditions under control by 2032.  E. To ensure the sustainability of the National Health Insurance system and deliver the highest quality of medical care to the public, NT$33.6 billion (US$1 billion) has been earmarked this year to support the financial stability of the National Health Insurance Fund. Advancing urban and rural development for a balanced Taiwan To realize President Lai Ching-te’s policy vision of balanced development across Taiwan, the government has designated six major regional flagship projects, each corresponding to a specific region of Taiwan: (1) a “golden corridors” project aimed at developing tech innovation, tourism and marine industries in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Yilan; (2) a “Silicon Valley” in Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli; (3) a new center for precision machinery and smart technology in Taichung, Changhua, Nantou and Yunlin; (4) a southern “Silicon Valley” in Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung; (5) a “slow living” project focusing on smart agriculture and leisure industries in Yilan, Hualien, Taitung and southern Pingtung; and (6) a low-carbon, sustainable recreation initiative in the outlying islands of Kinmen, Matsu and Penghu.  We are also continuing to carry out over 140 key infrastructure projects in counties and cities across Taiwan, alongside select flagship programs to actively boost local employment, bring prosperous growth to local industries and reduce disparities between the cities and the countryside, the rich and the poor.  In response to intensifying climate change and global warming, the government is allocating NT$55.1 billion (US$1.7 billion) to its overall budget for water management. We will continue to deploy new water management strategies, develop new water supplies and reduce water leakage, ensuring that Taiwan’s water resources stay sufficient and secure. The government also continues to promote the Water Leakage Rate Reduction Plan. Starting this year, the plan will invest NT$80.8 billion (US$2.5 billion) over eight years, with the goal of lowering the leakage rate to 10% by 2031.  Safe, fast and convenient transportation networks—including railways, highways, airports and seaports—are vital infrastructure that local communities desire. For example, the extension of the Taiwan High Speed Rail system into Pingtung County will create a new development zone between Kaohsiung and Pingtung, while establishing an important gateway to facilitate exchange with countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. We are also committed to developing sustainable agriculture while ensuring food security and autonomy. This year, Taiwan is set to become the first and only country in Asia free from three major swine diseases: classical swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever. Last year, premium Taiwanese fresh pork returned to the Singapore market after a 15-year absence, and we have successfully started exporting farmed tiger groupers and red dragon fruit to Japan.  Creating an international brand to promote Taiwan’s national image The government has allocated its highest-ever culture budget this year, which will support 12 cultural programs. These include efforts to integrate arts and culture at the grassroots level, making it easier for children and youths to engage with them, as well as initiatives to spur cultural exports and exchanges across various fields. Additionally, the government will establish 100 “cultural bases,” creating a network of community development centers, museums, local culture halls, living art centers, performing arts venues, exhibition halls, bookstores and more. This will foster a cultural industry of substantial economic scale through travel and tourism.  Beginning this year, the Ministry of Culture will also promote several initiatives, including a 2025-2030 publishing industry revitalization plan and the Reconstruction of Taiwan's Art History 2.0 project (2025-2028). These efforts aim to expand cultural content and stimulate a “Taiwanese Wave” pop culture export economy. In addition, the “one plus four T-content plan” will strengthen Taiwan’s content creation capabilities, establish the Tainan Film Studio to cultivate talent, and produce film and television that focus on unique Taiwanese elements while holding potential for international development. Whether at the Paris Olympics, Paralympics or WBSC Premier12 baseball tournament, Taiwanese teams and athletes delivered incredible performances that amazed the world last year. To further encourage the overall development of sports in Taiwan, the government will soon establish a brand-new ministry of sports this year. Its organizational structure will include a sports-for-all administration, as well as the existing National Sports Training Center, the existing Taiwan Institute of Sports Science and an upcoming national sports industry development center. The ministry will invite a diverse range of professionals, including athletes, to help achieve its ambitious goals.  Taiwan is striving for both growth and stability to ensure a healthy post-pandemic recovery for tourism. The government will continue promoting cross-ministry operations and resource sharing to reinvigorate the domestic tourism industry and achieve the goal of welcoming 10 million visitors to Taiwan this year.  Protecting cultures and rights for diverse communities Across the islands of Taiwan where we all live together, different cultures are equal, and diverse languages can serve as shared means of communication. In addition to the ongoing “Indigenous Project of Hope,” the Executive Yuan is also promoting the expanded revitalization of Hakka village environments and the establishment of 22 Hakka village community centers. These efforts aim to promote linguistic and cultural heritage, as well as the development of Hakka arts and culture.  New immigrants bring fresh vitality to society, and they are an integral part of Taiwan’s households, workplaces and economy. Recognizing this, the Executive Yuan has approved a pilot program to develop a more robust interpretation services system, improving care and safeguarding the rights of new immigrants.   Transitional justice is fundamental to democracy and fairness, and it is also the government’s legal duty. On January 3 of this year, amendments to the Act to Restore Victim's Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule were promulgated, ensuring that recipients receive compensation or restitution of assets without impacting their eligibility for social welfare. The Executive Yuan has also submitted to the Legislature for deliberation a draft bill for the preservation of historical sites of injustice. We hope the bill will garner support across political lines and serve as a reminder of the lessons learned during Taiwan’s period of authoritarian rule. Upholding security and defense for a stronger Taiwan Fighting crime—whether organized crime, financial crime, gun crime, drug crime or fraud crime—and protecting social order are the government’s most important responsibilities. To combat the scams plaguing the public, the Executive Yuan has established its own anti-fraud command center. Furthermore, the government has begun formulating related regulations for four recent pieces of anti-fraud legislation, launched version 2.0 of its next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines, required online platform advertisers to register using their real names, and enhanced the functionality of the “165” Anti-Fraud Dashboard website.  To meet the threat of emerging drugs, the government has reclassified etomidate as a category two narcotic, enabling stronger penalties and enforcement tools that will prevent the drug from endangering young people and public health. This year, we are investing NT$15 billion (US$457.4 million) into phase three of the New Generation Anti-Drug Strategy Guidelines, which includes initiatives such as leveraging technology to enhance drug enforcement, tightening border controls, upgrading testing capabilities and preventing drugs from entering school campuses, with the goal of creating a future where homes and schools are drug-free. Regarding road safety, the government continues to implement its plan to sustainably enhance pedestrian safety. Various accident statistics have shown a decrease in the short term. We will continue to monitor the plan’s effectiveness and proactively improve road traffic safety.  To safeguard national cybersecurity, the Executive Yuan has announced a comprehensive ban on the use of DeepSeek AI services in the public sector, in adherence with the principle of restricting the use of products that jeopardize national information security. In addition, to ensure smooth external communications and prevent harm from grey-zone intrusions, the Executive Yuan has approved the designation of 10 domestic submarine cables as critical infrastructure, including the undersea cables connecting the Matsu Islands with Taiwan proper. This will enable greater investment of resources into their maintenance, as well as swifter repair and activation of backup measures when needed.  Last year, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) conducted numerous targeted military exercises and provocations in the area surrounding Taiwan, severely disturbing regional peace and the stability of the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, it has repeatedly used methods including disinformation and cognitive warfare, attempting to influence military and civilian morale in Taiwan. To defend our national sovereignty, the Office of the President established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, which brings together the power of the government and the people to comprehensively strengthen our resilience in the areas of national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention and democracy. Our government has also been proactively cultivating defense autonomy, including research and development into cutting-edge defense technologies and weapons systems autonomy. Regarding domestic production of military aircraft, a total of 42 new-model advanced jet trainers have been delivered as of the end of February this year. The new-model Da Wu-class rescue and salvage ship was delivered in October last year, and the indigenous submarine “Hai Kun” is now undergoing harbor acceptance tests (HATs), with delivery expected this November. Moreover, in light of the effective new forms of asymmetric warfare enabled by drones, the government is continuing to acquire various types of drones and drone countermeasures through diversified channels to strengthen Taiwan’s overall defense capabilities.  Democracy in Taiwan represents not only a way of life rooted in freedom, but also a diplomatic brand that wins the trust of our allies and the international community. We pursue a strategy of integrated diplomacy, combining both values-based diplomacy and economic diplomacy, to capitalize on Taiwan’s economic strengths and continue deepening substantive cooperation with our allies and like-minded partners, including the U.S., Japan and European nations, while expanding our global reach.  On the topic of cross-strait relations, we firmly support healthy and orderly exchanges in the areas of culture, education, economics, trade and tourism, based on the principles of parity and dignity. However, the CCP’s continued military coercion against Taiwan is not only undermining regional security and stability, but also acting as the major cause of tension in the cross-strait relations and destabilizing peace in the region. In the face of threats from the CCP, Taiwan’s government is actively implementing President Lai’s Four Pillars of Peace action plan to strengthen national defense, economic security, supply chain resilience and social resilience. We stand resolute in safeguarding our national sovereignty and democratic freedoms, protecting all citizens, and working hand-in-hand with the global democratic community to jointly maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific. 3. Unity is more important than anything The central government’s 2025 general budget was planned at the scale of NT$3.1325 trillion (US$95.5 billion), an increase of NT$280.6 billion (US$8.6 billion) over the previous year, due to the addition of many new items, including funding for public infrastructure, national defense, National Health Insurance, the Healthy Taiwan initiative, national cancer prevention programs, social housing development through a government housing fund, the National Pension Program, science and technology development programs, and funding for child care and other services for children aged two to under six. As the economy grows rapidly, public services must also expand accordingly. The government has a duty to serve to its full ability and advance at full speed, so as not to betray the hard work of its people.  I have always firmly believed that the ruling and opposition political parties must reconcile and coexist; only then can we smoothly advance laws that benefit our nation and our people. Cross-strait relations should pursue peace and mutual prosperity under the principles of parity and dignity; only then can we ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan must work closely and proactively with the whole world in the spirit of mutual benefit; only then can we achieve win-win cooperation. My administrative team and I have always stood by the ideals of good-faith communication and putting the people first, as we continue to advance discussions with the Legislature and legislative members. We hope that, under the basic premises of upholding constitutional order and protecting the people’s constitutional rights, we can do what is best for the well-being of all people in the nation.  In the face of rapidly shifting global affairs and numerous severe challenges, the Republic of China (Taiwan) holds an optimal strategic position. We lead with advanced technology, the transformation of MSMEs, a strong public health system, diverse cultural heritage, high productivity and harmonious labor relations. If only our political parties join hands and cooperate, we can unite Taiwan and expand our global presence, ushering in the pinnacle of this new era of Taiwan’s strength.   Thank you, everyone!   <上版日期>114-02-25 <更新日期>114-05-14 <發布日期>114-03-12 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/6d05b287-1e65-41e6-bbc3-4bf6f6ee385a <標題>Premier Cho Jung-tai's oral policy report to 2nd session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected portions of the premier's report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: I am deeply honored to present this policy report on behalf of my executive team today and to answer questions from esteemed members of the Legislature. On August 28, my 101st day in office, I presented my active and innovative Cabinet’s “Action 101 Strategy” to the public. I urged my executive team to treat every precious day in office with the same unrelenting focus, to overcome limitations and transcend obstacles, and to continually push themselves and innovate for the well-being of all the people of Taiwan. My executive team has a responsibility and an obligation to continue propelling our country forward in order to shape a new Taiwan that is democratic and peaceful, innovative and prosperous, sustainable and fair. We are promoting the National Project of Hope to respond to changes in the international environment: geopolitical flux, net-zero transition, global supply chain restructuring, and the reshaping of global growth paths by generative artificial intelligence (AI). We hope the project will help lighten people’s burdens, make society safer, and at the same time drive forward industrial innovation and promote environmental sustainability. Going forward, we will continue to promote eight major policy objectives focused on care and development, so that people feel at ease, society feels stable and the nation feels safe. These are: expanding social investment and easing household burdens; powering the economy with innovation and smart technology; promoting green growth and net zero by 2050; expanding medical investment for a healthier Taiwan; balancing development to spread hope across Taiwan; cultivating soft power, building a national brand; achieving a pluralistic, egalitarian, prosperous society; and forging a resilient Taiwan, upholding security and peace. We hope that in the new legislative session, the Executive Yuan and the Legislature will continue to work together to promote more bills that address the urgent needs of the public and that relate to uncontroversial issues, so as to bring benefit to all Taiwanese and ensure the country continues to move forward. 1. Expanding investment in society, easing household burdens The government is fully committed to investing in the future generation from ages 0 to 22. Next year, we will invest NT$108.2 billion (US$3.4 billion) to expand public and quasi-public care services under the national child care policy 2.0 for ages 0 to 6, which to date has already provided 610,000 individual slots for children aged 0 to 6. In addition, public and quasi-public child care subsidies for children below the age of two have benefited approximately 95,000 children over a one-year period; a total of 1,078 classes for two-year-olds have been provided at public preschools and a further 80 classes will be provided within the next two years; and since January this year, public preschools have begun offering extended care services on weekdays and additional extra care services during summer and winter vacations to meet the care needs of dual-income households. Furthermore, starting in August this year, 45 public preschools have begun offering drop-in care services. All of these measures aim to comprehensively lighten the child care burden for families. The issues facing young people today are extremely diverse, however our goal remains constant: we strive to ensure that future generations of Taiwanese are provided with high quality environments in which they can develop suitably and enjoy the opportunity to pursue their dreams. To this end, the government has fully implemented free tuition for all senior and vocational high school students, and is enhancing the quality of their education and promoting schools’ integration within communities, in order to build friendly and accessible campus learning environments. In addition, to strengthen mental support systems on campuses, on July 4 this year, the Executive Yuan approved draft amendments to the Student Guidance and Counseling Act for consideration by the Legislature, which are designed to enhance the overall capacity and quality of student counseling, and ensure campus safety. To realize equality in education, we are committed to closing the tuition and fees gap between public and private universities and colleges, and are providing increased subsidies to economically disadvantaged students. Additionally, in order to alleviate the financial burden of students living on-campus, starting in February this year, we rolled out an on-campus accommodation subsidy scheme for college and university students. In order to enhance the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s universities and colleges, this administration continues to promote the Higher Education Sprout Project and has invested more than NT$120.45 billion (US$3.8 billion) across phases one and two of the project. To assist students in aligning to the job market, we have also set up regional training bases to foster industrial talent and provide technical training. Currently, there are 18 such training bases located at 16 colleges and universities across the nation. We are also planning the establishment of a NT$10 billion (US$312.9 million) Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative to provide overseas learning opportunities for university and college students, and other young people. To meet the needs of renters, the government continues to promote a broad range of measures under its housing policy, including constructing new social housing units, providing rent subsidies and introducing a social housing subleasing and management system. By the end of this year, the number of newly constructed social housing units will have reached our target of 120,000 units. Furthermore, rental units provided through the subleasing and management program have already reached a cumulative total of 124,000 units, and rent subsidy approvals between July last year and August this year reached 628,000 households. Looking to the future, the program’s ultimate goal—to support 1 million renter households by the year 2032—is proceeding to plan. This will achieve a cumulative total of 250,000 newly constructed social housing units, 250,000 rental units through the subleasing and management program, and 750,000 rent-subsidized households. In August last year, the government began promoting a new housing loan program targeted at young homebuyers to alleviate the burden of loan repayments. As of August this year, the program has assisted more than 70,000 families to purchase homes. To increase women's participation in the labor force, on September 1 last year, the government began implementation of a women's re-employment program, which is expected to raise the labor force participation rate of women to 53.5% within three years. In addition, we will promote measures in the areas of employment, health care, long-term care, sports and leisure, and financial services, in order to create a supportive and accommodating social environment. We will also continue a program to promote employment for the middle-aged and elderly; and a package of measures to help the middle-aged population return to the workforce was introduced this year, providing jobseekers with employment incentives of up to NT$60,000 (US$1,877) and covering employers’ workplace support and mentorship expenses of up to NT$300,000 (US$9,386) per year, in order to enhance the workforce participation of middle-aged people. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the entire nation, our economy has grown at an average rate of 3.14% over the past eight years, ranking first among the Four Asian Tigers. This year's economic growth rate is expected to reach 3.90%, reflecting the continued hard work of all Taiwanese. This year the Minimum Wage Act came into effect. Next year, the monthly minimum wage will be raised to NT$28,590 (US$894) and the hourly minimum wage to NT$190 (US$6), marking the ninth consecutive year of increases, and we will also raise the salaries of all military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers next year by 3%. We hope that this will set an example for private sector companies to provide their employees with comparable salary increases, so as to bring benefit to the wider population and share the fruits of economic growth. To ensure the stable operation of the labor insurance system, since 2020 the government has continued to inject additional capital into the Labor Insurance Fund, which in concert with applying a diversified investment strategy, has ensured the fund’s stable growth. 2. Powering the economy with innovation and smart technology The Executive Yuan convened the first meeting of the Economic Development Commission in July this year to fully exploit Taiwan's role as a key player within the supply chains of democratic nations and achieve innovation-driven growth that benefits the entire nation. We invited nearly 60 industry, government, and academic figures to serve as economic advisors and convened the commission’s inaugural advisory meeting in September, with a view to guiding Taiwan's future development along three main lines: innovative economy, balanced Taiwan and inclusive growth. In addition, the government’s national development plan for the next four years sets targets for the overall economy from next year through 2028. This includes average economic growth of 3%, GDP per capita of more than US$40,000, unemployment at less than 3.5% and a core consumer price index increase of less than 2%. Micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the lifeblood of Taiwan’s economy. Next year, the government will increase the budget for MSMEs by investing NT$11.6 billion (US$362.9 million) in the MSME diversification and revitalization plan. The plan will drive the sustainable development of MSMEs by applying the strategies of digital transformation, net-zero transition and channel development, as well as providing project-specific inclusive loans, tax incentives and other supporting measures. To date, the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan initiative has attracted 1,534 companies to invest more than NT$2.3493 trillion (US$73.5 billion), and created approximately 153,873 domestic job opportunities. Going forward, through a planned investment program for national development, we hope to attract NT$3 to 4 trillion (US$93.9 to 125.1 billion) of capital to invest in major infrastructure and important industries in Taiwan. To attract foreign capital, we will also establish the nation as a center for asset management in Asia tailored to Taiwan’s unique characteristics, which will place an equal focus on attracting and retaining capital, to increase business opportunities for the development of Taiwan's financial market, promote investment in Taiwan and support the development of domestic industries. In order to continue to recruit global talent, the government has implemented various measures to attract foreign professionals to Taiwan. As of July this year, more than 56,000 foreign professionals and 15,000 foreign specialist professionals held work permits, over 10,000 Employment Gold Cards have been issued, and 2,645 foreign or overseas compatriot students have chosen to stay on in Taiwan for employment following graduation. We will also promote a national talent competitiveness program, with the goal of providing professional training to 450,000 people in AI and other interdisciplinary fields, and recruiting 120,000 additional foreign professionals and 80,000 additional foreign technical specialists by the year 2028. Taiwan's external investment has been impressive in recent years, reaching a record high of US$23.57 billion last year, an increase of 137% on the previous year’s figure. For the second consecutive year, Taiwan's investments in New Southbound countries have exceeded its investment in mainland China, thereby reducing the risk of overreliance on a single market. In addition, our exports to the U.S. and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been expanding strongly, and the value of our exports to the U.S. and ASEAN countries between January and August this year both hit record highs. President Lai Ching-te has reiterated the importance of developing Taiwan's Five Trusted Industry Sectors: semiconductors, AI, military, security and surveillance, and next-generation communications. My executive team will accelerate AI industrialization and its transformation of industries, and coordinate with the Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan 3.0 to promote innovative industries and a smart and resilient society, in order to transform Taiwan into a “smart technology island.” The government continues to attract the global semiconductor and AI industries, and their talent, to these shores: Infineon, Amazon Web Services and AMD have all announced that they will set up R&D or data centers in Taiwan. In addition, the government continues to promote the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program, and in April of this year commenced planning for the first overseas chip innovation base to harness transnational cooperation and create an internationalized platform for cultivating chip design talent. The space industry is closely related to the development of the next-generation communications industry and Taiwan possesses a sovereign ability to independently develop satellites and rockets. In August of this year, the Taiwan Space Agency successfully launched its first “3U” communications cube satellite, the Nightjar, in cooperation with the private sector for the testing of Internet of Things (IoT) communications. In July, the Short-Term Sounding Rocket Launch Site also successfully completed its sixth launch of a scientific research sounding rocket. In addition, in order to promote the development of the domestic drone industry, the government will establish a drone R&D and manufacturing center, and we hope that the drone industry will achieve an output value of NT$30 billion (US$938.6 million) by 2028. In order to improve the quality and efficiency of digital services for government and industry, in April last year the government initiated a project to produce a Taiwan-specific generative AI large language model based on Taiwanese culture. The Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine (TAIDE) will significantly reduce the cost of integrating AI-related services in both the public and private sectors. Looking forward, we will continue to promote the service-oriented smart government program 2.0 and refine government services in the areas of open data, autonomous use of personal data, and technological innovation. 3. Promoting green growth and net zero by 2050 Developing renewable energy, energy conservation and carbon reduction will be key to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Next year's budget for the government’s action plan of 12 key strategies to achieve net-zero transition will receive an increase of 21.6% over this year. Last year, we added a record 2.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity. Furthermore, as of August this year, the offshore wind power industry has installed 364 wind turbines, totaling 2.96 GW of capacity: the seventh-highest in the world. In addition, we expect to invest NT$35.3 billion (US$1.1 billion) over four years to promote estimated electricity savings of 20.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). At the same time, we are also accelerating the development of diversified and forward-looking green energy sources, such as geothermal energy, small hydroelectric power generation and hydrogen energy. To respond to increased demand for electricity from the AI and semiconductor industries, we have drawn up plans to add six new gas-fired generation units, four of which will come online this year, to produce an estimated 17.86 GW net increase in capacity by 2033—which will exceed the projected growth in electricity demand. In addition, we will accelerate the implementation of a construction program to enhance the resilience of the national power grid so as to ensure the provision of a stable power supply for both industry and domestic consumers. Furthermore, the government is actively developing carbon capture, utilization and storage technology, and in August this year, the government announced three regulations to support the future implementation of Taiwan’s carbon fee system, which will help industries to gradually transition to a carbon pricing system and bring Taiwan into line with international standards. 4. Expanding medical investment for a healthier Taiwan  Taiwan will become a super-aged society in 2025. This administration is thus proactively expanding home, community and residential care services for elderly people, while promoting measures such as long-term care subsidies and comprehensive community care systems. Since the government’s Long-term Care Plan 2.0 began in 2017, coverage for long-term care services has reached 80.19%. To further enhance coverage, we are preparing to launch the Long-term Care Plan 3.0, which will better integrate home, community, institutional, medical and social welfare services for greater continuity of care. In July this year we also initiated an Acute Hospital Care at Home Trial Program, with the eventual goal of allowing anyone with impaired mobility or residing in a care institution to receive treatment for their acute medical needs at their place of residence.  The government continues to increase investment in health care and medical solutions, aiming by 2032 to raise the average life expectancy of Taiwanese from 79 to 82 years old, reduce expected years lived with disability or disease from 10% to 8%, and lower child mortality from 5.3 deaths to under four deaths per thousand live births. This administration also holds fast to the principles of efficiency and equitable burden sharing, as we continue to refine the National Health Insurance system, bolster fiscal responsibility, gradually reform the insurance premium system and diversify sources of health insurance funding, in order to provide the public with higher-quality holistic medical care at all levels.    To comprehensively improve medical care for children and young people, the government beginning next year will broaden promotion of the second phase of a children's health care improvement program, upgrading the efficacy of child development screenings and referrals. In addition, in August this year we expanded a plan to provide mental health support for the young generation from ages 15 to 45, and approved a plan to strengthen whole-of-society mental health resilience, the latter of which will allocate an estimated NT$5.631 billion (US$176.2 million) to promote holistic mental health, extending to students in elementary and junior high school.  In order to advance cancer treatment and prevention, and to achieve the goal of reducing cancer deaths by one-third by 2030, the government plans to expand cancer screening services, increase focus on genetic testing and precision medicine, and establish a NT$10 billion (US$312.9 million) fund for new cancer drugs. To improve the window for early diagnosis and treatment, we are implementing a NT$57 billion (US$1.8 billion) seven-year national program to support cancer treatment and prevention initiatives.  To continue improving the workplace environment for nurses, the Executive Yuan in July this year approved a medium- to long-term program to boost the nation’s nursing workforce. This program enhances nurse retention, improves nursing workloads and upgrades quality of care. Moving forward, we will launch the Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan to invest greater funding into rearing talent and supporting medical institutions at all levels nationwide.  5. Balancing development to spread hope across Taiwan In order to balance development across Taiwan, the government will continue to improve the nation’s infrastructure through over 140 projects, while also investing in Taiwan’s smart technology industrial ecosystem. In August, we put forth a project to develop this ecosystem in southern Taiwan, linking Tainan’s Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City to the surrounding S-shaped semiconductor cluster spanning from Chiayi to Pingtung, and connecting with tech centers in central and northern Taiwan to foster more balanced regional development.  The government is establishing long-term sustainable water environments to adapt to global climate change and the sharp variations between Taiwan’s dry and wet seasons. We continue to implement systematic water management through regional water reserve projects, developing new water resources, reducing water leakage and other related initiatives.  The government is also promoting traffic environments that put people first; we are deploying a plan to sustainably enhance pedestrian safety; and we continue to improve major infrastructure including highways, railways and airports, to meet the needs of industries and the general public.  Agricultural products are an important strategic asset for Taiwan. The government will continue to facilitate the entry of a wide range of agricultural products into international markets, in addition to adopting complementary guidance measures regarding agricultural production zones and contract farming, so as to fortify the production lines supplying overseas markets.   Regarding the expansion of the fishery industry, this administration will continue constructing a nationwide cold chain logistics system to enhance the quality and safety of fishery products. Additionally, to promote the sustainable development of Taiwan’s distant water fishing industry, we are improving living environments for fishermen and migrant maritime workers, including a port renovation project in Qianzhen Fishing Port in Kaohsiung, which is on track to be finished before the end of next year. 6. Cultivating soft power, building a national brand To bolster Taiwan’s economy and cultural content, we are allocating an estimated NT$10 billion (US$312.9 million) over four years in a plan to stimulate “Taiwanese wave” pop culture exports, through investing in the publishing, art, cultural and audiovisual industries. In addition, next year we will launch version 2.0 of the Reconstruction of Taiwan's Art History project, which continues to restore and collect important historical artifacts to rediscover Taiwan’s cultural identity.  To advance the government’s policy of sports for all, we plan to officially inaugurate a new ministry of sports in 2025. The Executive Yuan established a preparatory group for this purpose in August, and will swiftly propose a draft law to establish the new ministry, which will take on the duties of popularizing athletic competition, advancing diversified development of the sports industry, hosting international sporting events that enhance Taiwan’s brand, and supporting international sports diplomacy, to ensure that every person has the opportunity to participate in sports and incorporate athletics and fitness into their daily lives.  Taiwan’s national athletes had an excellent showing at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, winning two gold and five bronze medals, and at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympics, winning three silver and two bronze medals to mark the nation’s best results in the past four Summer Paralympics. Moving forward, the government will continue to raise sports-related funding and develop higher-quality software and hardware training environments for sports.  The 2024 Cultural Olympiad also featured a Taiwan Pavilion in the Parc de la Villette in Paris, organizing 57 shows by 24 performing arts groups with 122 artists, in addition to a visual art exhibition featuring works from nearly 300 artists, attracting over 70,000 visitors across 15 days.  Taiwan is home to world-class scenic attractions and a unique culture, which we are excited to share with the entire world. This administration is promoting a plan to attract broader international tourism, with the target of attracting 10 million visitors this year, and the eventual goal of growing tourism into a trillion-NT-dollar industry.  7. Achieving a pluralistic, egalitarian, prosperous society Taiwan’s culture of diverse languages is a precious part of its heritage. In order to revitalize and promote national languages, which in many areas are at risk of disappearance, the Executive Yuan continues to implement a plan for comprehensive development of national languages, aiming to create friendlier environments for their use. On June 27, the Executive Yuan submitted to the Legislature for deliberation a draft act for the establishment of a center for the research and development of national languages. Upon passage of this legislation, the center will become an institution dedicated to the preservation, study and transmission of national languages. Taiwan’s indigenous peoples form one of the most important roots of the nation’s history and culture. This administration is striving to promote indigenous policy, including social welfare measures such as the establishment of 519 cultural health stations nationwide to provide culturally sensitive care, the construction of 55 indigenous assembly halls to serve as cultural transmission sites, and the improvement of roads leading in and out of indigenous areas. Moving forward, we will continue to support name rectification for plains indigenous groups, advance the sustainable development of indigenous villages and strengthen indigenous health services, as part of this administration’s “Indigenous Project of Hope.” To popularize Hakka culture and support regional development of Hakka villages, this administration continues to push forward the National Hakka Development Plan and the regional Hakka 369 Project. In addition, this year we began carrying out a program to transform the local Hakka community libraries in 14 townships into sites that promote a Hakka cultural renaissance. To support the roughly 600,000 new immigrants living in Taiwan, the Executive Yuan will implement the basic law for new immigrants  promulgated in August, proactively supporting their rights and interests such as in the areas of finding employment, translation services and media access, and steadily improving guidance measures to help them adapt to their new lives. This administration is advancing transitional justice in the hope that Taiwan will never again repeat its history of human rights violations, and will become a truly just nation. In July the Executive Yuan approved and submitted to the Legislature for deliberation a draft bill for the preservation of historical sites of injustice. Through such dedicated legislation, we hope to codify a framework for the conservation of these sites and raise awareness of their significance. In addition, on August 29 the Executive Yuan approved and submitted to the Legislature draft amendments to the Act to Restore Victim’s Rights Infringed by Illegal Acts of the State During the Period of Authoritarian Rule, which aim to fully guarantee the restoration of damaged rights for victims or their families.  8. Forging a resilient Taiwan, upholding security and peace This administration is increasing the defense budget and strengthening social resilience to assure our democratic partners around the world that we are capable of protecting our nation, and to prove to the world that Taiwan is firmly committed to defending its territory. In order to enhance deterrence, build our defensive capabilities and safeguard regional peace and stability, national defense-related spending for the next fiscal year is projected to increase by about 9.6% compared to this year. This administration has also implemented a plan to strengthen and recalibrate the national defense force structure, and at the beginning of this year reinstated the one-year mandatory military service period for conscripts born in or after 2005. Starting this year, the length of the basic training program for all recruits will also be increased to eight weeks, with a focus on realistic combat training. Domestically, the government is proactively building Taiwan’s capacity for defense autonomy. We are advancing cutting-edge defense technology R&D, as well as weapons systems research and manufacturing, thereby spurring the development of defense industry supply chains. With regard to indigenous military aircraft, 36 new-model advanced jet trainers have already been delivered out of the 66 ordered for production. Meanwhile, the final ships from Taiwan’s first batch of indigenous Tuo Chiang-class corvettes were delivered to the ROC Navy and launched this year. In August, the Executive Yuan also approved the next phase of the indigenous submarine production program to build seven improved design serial production submarines by 2038. Internationally, Taiwan continues to cooperate with democratic allies, and is strengthening its self-defense capabilities through arms sales from the U.S. Since taking office, U.S. President Biden has announced the sale of military goods and services to Taiwan 16 times, including in June and September this year when the U.S. government authorized the sale of about US$300 million in F-16 fighter jet parts, US$360.2 million in military drone systems and US$228 million in spare parts and services for aircraft and related equipment. This March, the U.S. government also passed the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, making available no less than US$300 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to assist Taiwan, and in April passed the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024, which provides for US$2 billion in FMF for Indo-Pacific countries, including Taiwan. Moreover, the U.S. President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 for the first time requested US$100 million for investment in Taiwan’s security, reaffirming the U.S. government’s rock-solid long-term security commitment to Taiwan, as well as its strong concern and support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan plays an indispensable role in international supply chains and furthermore holds a key position in maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Since President Lai took office, a succession of political dignitaries from countries including the U.S., Singapore, Japan and the Czech Republic have visited Taiwan, not only to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation, but also to recognize Taiwan as a democratic partner. On July 30, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) held its annual summit in Taipei for the first time, with a total of 49 officials and representatives from 23 countries and the European Parliament in attendance. Taiwan’s government has been deepening ties with Europe and promoting bilateral industry and talent exchanges through the US$200 million Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Investment Fund and the US$1 billion CEE Credit Fund, which aim to broaden industrial, economic and trade relations by developing mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation programs between Taiwan and CEE countries, and by assisting Taiwanese businesses to operate in the European market.  Meanwhile, the number of students coming to study in Taiwan from the New Southbound Policy nations continues to grow. Our government actively facilitates job matching for foreign and overseas compatriot students, and is deepening cooperative ties with New Southbound nations in areas including health and medicine, agriculture, science and technology, culture, and non-profit organizations. Taiwan and Thailand enjoy visa-free entry for each other’s citizens, and Malaysia has also opened its automated immigration clearance system to Taiwanese citizens. These steps show the progress we have made in advancing tourism exchanges.  In the future, the government will continue to promote deeper cooperation with like-minded democratic nations through integrated diplomacy, incorporating value diplomacy, alliance diplomacy and economic diplomacy, so as to uphold Taiwan’s vital role in global industrial supply chains.  To defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the government is actively implementing President Lai’s Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan (strengthening national defense, economic resilience, partnerships with democratic nations, and stable and principled cross-strait leadership) as well as striving to maintain the status quo, with the belief that mutually beneficial co-existence and co-prosperity should be Taiwan and China’s shared goal. Ensuring peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region is our joint responsibility. Under the premises of parity and dignity, we should choose dialogue over confrontation, free exchanges over blockades, and promote healthy, orderly two-way exchanges in tourism, education and beyond.  We are promoting new policies and new infrastructure for a new era: new water management policies to continue upgrading technology-based disaster response mechanisms; new anti-fraud measures with updated legislation, facilities, technologies and collaborative partnerships; new energy through diverse development of green energy sources; new technologies through wide-scale promotion of AI applications; new sports policy led by the soon-to-be-inaugurated ministry of sports; and the more-comprehensive new social care and new development policies that I previously mentioned. These policies will help Taiwan grow and secure a stronger footing on the world stage. At this pivotal moment in our nation’s development, I sincerely hope that all political parties can set aside their differences to engage in rational oversight and unite in cooperation. Like esteemed members of the Legislature, I too consider the people to be our highest priority, so I look forward to working together with you to create a happier Taiwan where all people can prosper and live in peace. Thank you, everyone! <上版日期>113-09-20 <更新日期>114-04-01 <發布日期>113-10-01 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/4b5ba33f-45be-4f27-ab8a-b89e714bab17 <標題>Premier Cho Jung-tai’s oral policy report to 1st session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected portions of the premier's report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: I have been invited to present this policy report to the Legislative Yuan today as one of the duties entrusted to me by the Constitution. I feel greatly honored and deeply appreciate the significance of this occasion.  In recent years, Taiwan has faced major shifts in the global environment, including geopolitical instability and restructuring of industrial supply chains, as well as the challenges of transitioning to net-zero carbon emissions and new digital technologies. But thanks to the foresight of former President Tsai Ing-wen and the previous Cabinet’s administrative team, Taiwan’s development has charted a new course: shifting economic paradigms to regain new growth momentum; creating employment opportunities, raising starting salaries, and implementing worker protections; reforming public finances, expanding social care programs, and strengthening child care and long-term care services; actively promoting green energy; and facilitating digital transformation.  The members of my “active and innovative (AI) Cabinet” and I will be the first to proactively offer solutions, and introduce innovative ideas to make government more effective. Going forward, we will prioritize cracking down on five types of crime—organized crime, financial crime, gun crime, drug crime and fraud crime—in addition to upholding seven types of safety—public safety, food safety, road safety, occupational safety, school safety, housing safety and cyber safety—in order to uphold a stable and just society. As quickly as possible, we will formulate version 2.0 of the government’s next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines to comprehensively upgrade our fraud-fighting capabilities. And we respectfully request that the Legislature swiftly pass the four anti-fraud draft bills that the Executive Yuan recently submitted for your deliberation, so that our colleagues in law enforcement can have the legal tools they need to curb emerging new forms of criminal fraud.  In addition, to help victims of the recent Hualien earthquake resume normal life as soon as possible, the Executive Yuan will increase the overall budget for reconstruction to match the needs on the ground, allowing people to quickly obtain aid through relief assistance and condolence payments; monetary assistance for relocation, rent and loan interest; and relief subsidies and loan assistance to revitalize tourism and other industries.  Today, Taiwan is not only a paragon of democracy in Asia, but also a critical hub for scientific and technological industries worldwide. Yet we face an ever-evolving state of world affairs, and new challenges at home and abroad. The National Project of Hope is the blueprint that my active and innovative Cabinet will adopt to push forward the nation’s development, respond to people’s needs and improve social welfare, bringing hope to the next generation.  I would now like to deliver my report summarizing the eight goals and main tasks of the National Project of Hope.  1. Expanding investment in society, easing household burdens We will expand investment in society and bolster social support systems for child care, education, social care programs, housing, health care and labor. This administration will promote a set of policies to invest in the future generation from ages 0 to 22. The policies will increase subsidies for children ages 0 to 2 attending public and quasi-public care centers, and extend the hours of public preschool care services, which will be made available during winter and summer vacations as well. The policies will also provide free tuition for all students attending senior and vocational high schools, annual subsidies to alleviate the higher cost of tuition and other fees at private colleges and universities, and bigger scholarships for economically disadvantaged students at public and private colleges and universities, thereby reducing the economic burden on students and their parents. We will also publish a white paper on youth policy; set up an NT$10 billion (US$308.5 million) fund enabling young people to travel abroad to expand their horizons and develop international skills; expand investment in higher education and vocational education with regards to the development of teaching and research, international collaboration, and cultivating talent for a diverse range of industries; and help young people elevate their bilingual skills and digital expertise.   Housing costs are an issue of concern, particularly for renters and young people. To alleviate their burdens, the government will accelerate implementation of its program to support 1 million renter households. By 2032 the program aims to achieve a cumulative total of 250,000 newly constructed social housing units, 250,000 rental units through a government subleasing and management program, and 500,000 rent-subsidized households.  Responding to projections that Taiwan will become a super-aged society next year, the government is preparing version 3.0 of its Long-term Care Plan, which will expand national service coverage. The government’s social safety net will also be upgraded to ensure it protects each and every person. Together these policies will strengthen child protections and promote better health, guarantee rights and community support systems for disabled people, and create environments friendly and conducive to independent living for elderly people. Cross-system connectivity and integration of social services will be enhanced to better meet the needs of vulnerable households and create a more resilient social safety net. We will also pursue amendments to the Public Assistance Act to broaden conditions to qualify for assistance, so that financially insecure individuals and households can get the help they need.  We will optimize working environments for our friends in the labor community, enforce the Minimum Wage Act while continuing to raise minimum wages, and expand tax incentives for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to raise employee salaries. This administration will create friendlier workplace environments for older middle-aged people and for family caregivers, to increase their labor force participation rate. We will furthermore strengthen protections for the rights of atypical workers and migrant workers. And the government will continue channeling resources into the national Labor Insurance Fund.  2. Powering the economy with innovation and smart technology  Gross domestic product (GDP) jumped from NT$17.6 trillion (US$542.9 billion) in 2016 to NT$23.5 trillion (US$724.9 billion) last year, with an average annual growth rate of 3.15% over the past 8 years; Taiwan has become the world’s 22nd largest economy. By investing in people and through innovation in industry, science, technology and finance, we will propel future economic momentum, creating the next wave of innovative growth and strengthening Taiwan’s position in global industrial supply chains. At the same time, we will encourage industries to diversify their development and create more high-quality job opportunities. The government plans to complete phase five of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, and, based on the model of the Six Core Strategic Industries, will focus on development of the five trusted industry sectors of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, military, security and surveillance, and communications. We are promoting Taiwan as an “AI island,” industrializing AI and integrating AI technology into industries. We will also leverage Taiwan’s existing advantages in manufacturing for technological industries, driving cross-sector innovation in technological R&D and application services to spur development across all industries. To help Taiwanese industries expand worldwide, sell to a global market, but remain based in Taiwan, the government will incentivize both foreign capital and overseas Taiwanese companies to invest here in Taiwan. This administration will employ a multifaceted strategy integrating diplomacy, industrial economy and trade, and technological innovation, and foster bilateral and multilateral cooperation with like-minded countries. As such, we are actively seeking entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), and other frameworks for regional economic cooperation.  The government will establish platforms to advance technological innovation in the four areas of cutting-edge technology R&D; innovative net-zero technologies; interdisciplinary technology research incorporating the humanities and social sciences; and software R&D. The government will also develop forward-looking technology in the fields of quantum computing, robots, the metaverse and precision health care. We aim for Taiwan to become Asia’s central hub for the drone industry supply chain among democratic nations, and to make strides into the global space industry by developing next-generation medium and low Earth orbit communications satellites.  We will create a new society of digital technology that puts people first, promoting smart technologies in government while upholding the belief that innovative progress should benefit everyone. Digital technologies will be applied to develop new services in education, medicine, transportation, the environment and more. We will also pursue digital equality, promote trustworthy mechanisms of data flow, and encourage software R&D and data-driven industrial and social innovation.   The government will also devote full efforts to investing in human resources, strengthening the cultivation of talent required by the nation’s industries, supporting Taiwan’s youth traveling overseas to broaden their experiences, helping Taiwanese businesses establish transnational two-way R&D centers, continuing to attract the foreign talent that Taiwan needs, and building friendly institutions that encourage retention of migrant workers and foreign and overseas compatriot students.  To support innovation and entrepreneurship, the government will create a thriving “rainforest ecosystem” for startup companies, which is estimated will produce 20,000 new job opportunities within five years and attract NT$150 billion (US$4.6 billion) in startup investment annually, driving Taiwan to become a net exporter of innovative solutions within a decade.  While ensuring stability through oversight, the government will promote the development of financial innovation, environmentally-friendly green finance, digital finance and inclusive finance, and transform Taiwan into Asia’s center for both asset management and financial technology innovation. We will also steer domestic and foreign investment toward the development of Taiwan’s industries and infrastructure, injecting new vitality into economic growth.  The government will also actively promote a program for the diversified development and revitalization of SMEs and micro-enterprises. This program will accelerate digital transformation of SMEs, traditional industries and service industries; assist regional revitalization; and create a more diverse range of high-quality, higher-paying job opportunities.  The government will continue to improve social welfare programs for agricultural workers, specifically raising coverage for four existing welfare measures—farmers’ health insurance, occupational hazards insurance, agricultural insurance and a pension savings system. This administration will also encourage more young adults to get involved in the agricultural industry, broaden smart technology integration in agriculture, promote comprehensive regeneration of rural villages, develop new agricultural industry chains, and increase the value of agricultural produce to stabilize the income of agricultural workers.  3. Promoting green growth and net zero by 2050 In order to make progress toward the transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the government will invest NT$900 billion (US$27.8 billion) by 2030 to guide investment in green energy both domestically and abroad, thereby turning the challenge of climate change into an opportunity for green growth. We will promote a second energy transition with the primary goal of ensuring stability and security of power supply, while moving toward a nuclear-free homeland in accordance with our obligations under domestic law. This will involve developing diverse forms of green energy that are both technologically smart and beneficial to all of society, as well as promoting natural gas as a bridge fuel to combine with carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology. We will also promote deep energy saving, spur on the development of the domestic energy-saving industry, encourage businesses to engage in technological energy storage, and build a strong and resilient power grid. Furthermore, the government will promote both digital transformation and green transformation in industries. Through green finance, technological innovation, carbon pricing and market mechanisms, we will guide the low-carbon transformation of industries, develop green manufacturing and the circular economy, and promote net-zero green lifestyles, green buildings, low-carbon transportation and low-carbon diets. 4. Expanding medical investment for a healthier Taiwan We will promote an enhanced plan to cultivate a healthier Taiwan, focusing on four main areas: talent cultivation, smart health care, social responsibility, and optimizing work conditions for medical professionals. We will also continue to allocate funding and increase revenue sources for National Health Insurance, as well as improve division of care throughout the medical system, in order to build a more sustainable health care model. The government will improve the remuneration of primary care staff, accelerate the integration of smart medicine into health care, enhance the medical care environment, and support more talented individuals to enter the medical profession.  To enhance the quality of health care, we will strengthen the primary care network and the family medicine system. We will adopt a multi-faceted approach to reduce cancer deaths by one-third by 2030. This administration will also promote good nutritional and exercise habits, and complete the establishment of 100 community mental health centers by 2028 to support people with mental disabilities and their families. 5. Balancing development to spread hope across Taiwan To realize President Lai Ching-te's goal of balancing regional development across Taiwan, the government will promote a total of 140 infrastructure projects related to local development, including the water environment, railroads, highways, airports and ports. We will also support regional governance to foster the diversity and vitality of local communities and advance regional revitalization. This administration will continue to effectively manage the nation’s water resources through a combination of water resource development, water conservation measures, water allocation adjustment, and the creation of auxiliary networks. This includes promoting anti-siltation projects and environmental conservation management, improving the water supply system and building auxiliary pipelines, as well as promoting the construction of reclaimed water and seawater desalination plants. The government will also proactively improve railway and public road construction, including extensions of Taiwan High Speed Rail to Pingtung and Yilan counties; fully dual-tracking Taiwan Railway Corporation’s east coast line between Hualien and Taitung; and promoting elevated or underground railways and mass rapid transit construction projects in metropolitan areas. We will also continue to optimize public transportation in remote areas and on outlying islands to broaden transportation equality. Additionally, we will push forward completion of the Terminal 3 project at Taoyuan International Airport, and promote airport and runway improvement projects across the country, as well as expand port construction and container throughput to transform the nation into a major cruise tourism locale in Asia. These policies will strengthen international links, turning Taiwan into a transportation and logistics hub for the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, in order to establish a pedestrian-centric safe road environment, the government will invest NT$40 billion (US$1.2 billion) to promote a sustainable pedestrian safety enhancement plan. In response to a number of recent food safety incidents, the government is investing NT$7.4 billion (US$228 million) in a food safety infrastructure plan under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, which is enhancing the capacity of biological laboratories and food safety inspections to protect the public. 6. Cultivating soft power, building a national brand We will harness the Cultural Fundamental Act to empower cultural diversity as a driving force for Taiwan's advancement. We will expand Taiwan's cultural content output and develop a “Taiwanese Wave” economy based on exporting Taiwanese pop culture abroad. We plan to establish a ministry of sports to increase spending for the promotion of fitness and sports for all, and for the growth of the domestic sports industry. We will also build Taiwan into an international tourism brand by integrating local features, upgrading service quality and strengthening international marketing in order to elevate tourism to a “trillion-dollar” industry by 2030. 7. Achieving a pluralistic, egalitarian, prosperous society This administration will formulate policy guidelines for the mainstreaming of Taiwan’s ethnicities to ensure all ethnic groups enjoy equal opportunities for participation and development. To fulfill our responsibilities under the Development of National Languages Act, we will also establish a center for the research and development of national languages, to promote the revitalization, sustainable development and continued inheritance of Taiwan’s languages. In order to maintain the status recognition and cultural heritage of all indigenous peoples, the Executive Yuan will rapidly complete amendments to the Indigenous Peoples Status Act. We will also implement the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law to facilitate and promote the autonomy of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. The government will support the Hakka cultural content industry to promote the formation of an international “Hakka wave,” and expand a Hakka village revitalization and environmental development program, while also continuing to promote the Hakka 369 Project to revitalize local Hakka cultural industries. Furthermore, we will strengthen the functions of the Executive Yuan’s coordination meetings on new immigrants’ affairs and additionally establish a development policy for new immigrants. In order to build a gender-friendly and equal society, the government will uphold three gender equality laws, create family-friendly workplaces, promote gender equity education across all age groups from diverse perspectives, facilitate women's participation in decision-making positions, and cultivate female talent within public affairs. 8. Forging a resilient Taiwan, upholding security and peace We will conduct healthy and orderly exchanges with the other side of the Taiwan Strait based on the premises of reciprocity and dignity. In order to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, we must enhance our national defense capabilities through policies including the reinstatement of one-year compulsory military service, all-out national defense and the indigenous military aircraft and shipbuilding programs, so as to protect our sovereignty and enhance homeland security, digital security and social resilience. The government will strengthen the nation’s disaster response and risk management systems, enhancing the disaster prevention planning and response capabilities of central government agencies and local governments, as well as regularizing disaster response drills and exercises. We will also establish a digital trust framework, and expand development of highly resilient telecommunications industries and information security industries to improve the data security and protection capabilities of government, industry and civil society. We must also bolster the nation’s ability to uphold maritime security in order to guarantee the safety of the fishing and marine recreation industries by comprehensively strengthening maritime law enforcement, rescue and patrol capabilities, and continued international coast guard cooperation. We will deepen our cooperation with democratic nations, consolidating ties with our diplomatic allies and friends in the U.S., Europe, Japan and more, and continue to promote the New Southbound Policy while also cooperating more closely with likeminded countries to promote a free and open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan is a trusted partner of the world's democracies and holds a vital geopolitical position in the Indo-Pacific region. We must work closely and cooperate proactively with the rest of the world in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. By pursuing reconciliation and coexistence between political parties, peace and co-prosperity across the Taiwan Strait, and mutually advantageous cooperation with our democratic partners, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will assuredly become a fairer society and a more enlightened nation. Thank you!   <上版日期>113-05-31 <更新日期>113-06-17 <發布日期>113-06-17 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/5e29f32f-bbf6-4c5c-ae1b-d0a8bc096608 <標題>Premier Chen Chien-jen’s oral policy report to 1st session of 11th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker Han, Deputy Speaker Chiang, esteemed members of the Legislature: I would like to deliver my policy report to the Legislature, centering on the three themes of innovation with a strong, sustainable economy; happiness with a compassionate, resilient homeland; and democracy with a firm, global footing.  Innovation with a strong, sustainable economy After the COVID-19 pandemic, the government passed a special act to boost economic and social resilience and share the proceeds of growth in the post-pandemic era, which allocated a special budget utilizing NT$379.88 billion (US$12.1 billion) of surplus tax revenue from the year prior. The special budget included injection of NT$20 billion (US$635.1 million) for the National Health Insurance fund, NT$30 billion (US$952.6 million) for the Labor Insurance fund, and NT$50 billion (US$1.6 billion) for the Taiwan Power Company. In addition, NT$141.65 billion (US$4.5 billion) was used to distribute a one-off cash payment to every person, with a 99.7% uptake, which was estimated to have contributed 0.3 percentage points to the gross domestic product’s (GDP) growth rate last year.  Under its core policies of the “five plus two” innovative industries plan and the Six Core Strategic Industries plan, this administration has approved the Taiwan Chip-based Industrial Innovation Program and the AI Taiwan Action Plan 2.0. Furthermore, investment in Taiwan’s R&D funding has shown a yearly upward trend, in 2022 reaching NT$898 billion (US$28.5 billion) and accounting for 3.96% of GDP.   The government continues to push forward its Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan. Since 2019, the programs have attracted over 1,450 companies with total investment surpassing NT$2.1 trillion (US$66.7 billion), bolstering R&D and high-end manufacturing within Taiwan. Furthermore, the Executive Yuan has approved the new construction or expansion of nine science parks since 2016.  To cultivate high-level talent in domestic industries, the government has approved the establishment of 12 specialized colleges for research in fields related to national key industries, under the authority of the National Key Fields Industry-University Cooperation and Skilled Personnel Training act. The International Talent Taiwan Office and Long-term Retention of Migrant Workers Service Center have also recently been inaugurated. By the end of last year, over 57,000 foreign professionals held work permits; 13,000 foreign special professionals had been granted work permits; and over 23,000 people had been designated intermediate skilled workers through a program for long-term retention of migrant workers. Amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape, Taiwan’s cumulative investment in New Southbound Policy countries rose to US$61 billion from 2016 to the end of 2023, an increase of 86.5%. Investment in Japan also reached about US$215 million in 2023, a 193.12% jump in growth over the previous year.  Adapting to rapid changes in agricultural environments, the government is proactively building safety systems for farming, fishery and livestock industries; strengthening farmland hydraulic engineering and irrigation infrastructure; and investing NT$12.6 billion (US$400.1 million) to construct a nationwide cold chain logistics system, thus raising Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness.   This administration is actively expanding renewable energy sources to respond to climate change. At the end of last year, renewable energy installations had a total generation capacity of 17.9 gigawatts (GW), an eightfold increase over 2016. We will continue striding toward our goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To strengthen the resilience of Taiwan’s water environment, the government has allocated NT$160 billion (US$5.1 billion) to the water infrastructure component of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. By deploying strategies to develop new water sources, improve water conservation, reallocate water supplies and expand reserve capacity, our initiatives have increased Taiwan’s water resource supply by 2.21 million metric tons per day, equivalent to 20% of the total water volume used each day.  We have recently launched TPASS, a commuter card allowing one month of unlimited journeys within a specific region across multiple modes of public transport. Following their introduction, the passes have been used about 330 million times and we expect to see an increase of 5% in public transport passenger volume and a reduction of 5% in road traffic accidents. The government has also allocated NT$45.627 billion (US$1.4 billion) to fund a project to fully electrify and double-track the Hualien-Taitung railway line, which began work in April last year and is estimated to officially open to the public in October 2027.  To support highway infrastructure, the government has greenlighted road improvement projects for Provincial Highway 74 and National Freeway Nos. 1, 3 and 8. We are also working with private carriers to provide Happiness Bus and Happiness Taxi services for rural areas. By the end of last year, public transportation service coverage in rural and remote areas rose to about 92%.  I would like to thank the Legislature for passing the third and final reading of a basic act for road traffic safety on December 1 last year. This January, the Executive Yuan also approved a national road traffic safety outline plan (2024-2027), which will serve as top-level guidelines for improving road safety in Taiwan.  Regarding transportation at airports and seaports, Taichung International Airport, Matsu Nangan Airport and Taitung Airport have all completed upgrade projects. The construction of Terminal 3 at Taoyuan International Airport and a taxiway upgrade at Kaohsiung International Airport are now underway. The government is also actively promoting tourism for Taiwan’s outlying islands, with the New Taima Ferry and the Penghu Ferry beginning service operations last year.  A special budget of NT$5.3 billion (US$168.3 million) has been allocated by this administration to implement the Accelerated and Expanded Inbound Tourism Promotion Program. The program encourages domestic and overseas travel agencies to work together to organize tour groups to travel to Taiwan. Last year, the program reached its annual target of six million foreign tourist arrivals ahead of schedule on December 15.  Happiness with a compassionate, resilient homeland Our government has proactively advanced policy measures to counter declining birth rates, allocating NT$120.1 billion (US$3.8 billion) to the issue this year. We have increased childrearing allowances and child care subsidies for children ages 0-2, and eliminated means-testing for those benefits as well. We have expanded the volume of affordable education and care services, and reduced preschool student-teacher ratios. This year, for preschools we are also promoting the extension of after-school care services and beginning trials for drop-in care services. All these efforts foster a friendlier environment for childrearing and lighten parents’ burdens.  According to the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2022) published last December by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Taiwan ranked third in math, fourth in science and fifth in reading, out of 81 participating countries and economies. When Taiwanese students participated in the 2022 International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS 2022), they scored No. 1 worldwide in the categories of civic knowledge, endorsement of gender equality, immigrants’ rights and equal rights for all ethnic groups, and attitudes towards environmental protection. This administration has introduced a plan and supporting measures to reduce the disparity between the costs of attending public versus private schools. Starting February this year, students attending private universities and colleges can receive a fixed-sum waiver to alleviate the cost of tuition and other fees, and students attending senior and vocational high schools can now receive free tuition. Furthermore, the government has allocated NT$22.2 billion (US$704.9 million) to provide for a tuition loan subsidy scheme. In order to realize housing justice, the government has promoted a social housing strategy which integrates a construction program with a separate subleasing and management program to expand the supply of housing. By the end of last month, we were about 79% of the way toward meeting our target to build 120,000 social housing units, and about 89% of the way toward achieving our goal to facilitate the signing of 80,000 social housing unit rental contracts through the subleasing and management program. The central government’s ongoing NT$30 billion (US$952.6 million) expanded rent subsidy program introduced additional measures in July last year with the goal of subsidizing rental payments for 500,000 households across the life of the program. In addition, NT$16.5 billion (US$523.9 million) was allocated from the post-pandemic special budget to fund an owner-occupied housing loan support program for households of middle-class incomes and below. Households that met the criteria were eligible to receive a one-time NT$30,000 (US$953) payment, and more than 480,000 households had their payments approved between June last year and the end of this January. The Executive Yuan has increased “eight plus one” social welfare benefits, including living subsidies to disadvantaged households, national pension benefits and the monthly welfare allowance for elderly farmers to take account of consumer price index rises. We have also raised tax exemptions and deductions and implemented other tax reduction measures to lighten people’s burdens. Last year, the Ministry of Culture launched a program to grant NT$1,200 (US$38) Culture Points vouchers to young people ages 18 to 21, to be redeemed towards spending on arts and cultural activities. Starting this year, Culture Points has become a permanent policy with eligibility widened to ages 16 to 22. Taiwan’s athletes had an outstanding showing at last year’s Asian Games. Going forward, the government will more comprehensively fund and integrate international athletics training institutions alongside robust legal support systems, and continue to implement the Golden Plan 2.0—an upgraded plan that combines specialist selection, training, competition and guidance to prepare Taiwanese athletes for the Olympics in Paris 2024 and beyond. We will foster Taiwan’s sports talent and help athletes strive toward higher goals.   To build a secure homeland and a safer society, the Executive Yuan has established its Anti-Fraud Office, amended five anti-fraud laws and set up the 111 government-exclusive SMS platform so that the public can easily identify messages sent by public departments. In addition, the government has integrated the law enforcement capacities of ministries and agencies, cracking down on more than 1,700 telecom fraud groups and seizing more than NT$4.1 billion (US$130.2 million) in illicit proceeds, as well as blocking financial scams to the tune of NT$7.59 billion (US$241 million) through close cooperation with financial institutions. In order to demonstrate the government’s commitment to protecting personal data, we have promoted amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, and the Preparatory Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission was inaugurated on December 5 last year, implementing and strengthening the legal framework underpinning personal data protection. Democracy with a firm, global footing The government's promotion of transitional justice has made a number of concrete advances. This includes the redress of wrongful acts by the state; restoration of victims’ rights including providing care and healing; identification and preservation of sites of historical injustices; collection, preservation, research and opening up of political archives; and approving the National Action Program for Transitional Justice Education.  Support for Taiwan from our democratic partners around the world is steadily growing. In June last year Taiwan and the U.S. signed the first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, and on January 1 this year, a Taiwan-South Korea income tax agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion took effect, which after Japan’s is the second such comprehensive income tax agreement between Taiwan and a Northeast Asian nation. Furthermore, at the end of last year, Taiwan signed bilateral agreements with the U.K., France and Canada relating to trade, science and technology, and investment, respectively, thereby strengthening the interconnectivity and resilience of all our supply chains and facilitating the expansion of global investment by Taiwanese companies. We are continuing to build up Taiwan’s capacity for defense autonomy. The combined national defense budget will this year reach a record high of NT$600.7 billion (US$19.1 billion). Under the indigenous shipbuilding program, the ROC Navy's new-model Auxiliary Rescue and Salvage ship is scheduled to be delivered this year, and the prototype vessel of the Indigenous Defense Submarine program, named Hai Kun, is scheduled for delivery to the navy in 2025. In addition to domestically manufactured armaments and equipment, the nation’s armed forces are augmenting their defensive capabilities through purchases from the U.S. The government has also advanced a plan to strengthen and recalibrate the national defense force structure and, beginning this year, the duration of compulsory military service has reverted from four months to one year. The government has worked hard to create a healthy investment environment, promote sustained and steady economic growth, and revitalize the consumer market. These efforts have produced an average economic growth rate of 3.2% since 2016 and a GDP of more than NT$23 trillion (US$730.3 billion) in 2023. Meanwhile, the Democracy Index 2023, published by Britain's Economist Intelligence Unit, has ranked Taiwan 10th out of 167 countries and territories globally, and the highest in Asia. Faced with a complex and fluid global economic and industrial outlook, we have optimized innovation, diversified risks and positioned Taiwan globally, displaying to the world the nation’s strength and resilience. My administrative team will continue straining every sinew to fortify our national strength, increasing people’s sense of happiness, building a strong and sustainable economy, creating a compassionate and resilient homeland, and ensuring our nation stands firm on the international stage. Thank you!   <上版日期>113-02-20 <更新日期>113-03-05 <發布日期>113-03-05 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/a562e7e1-7ca2-40bd-965e-0feed6e0c0c9 <標題>Premier Chen Chien-jen's oral policy report to 8th session of 10th Legislature <內容> The following is a translation of select portions of the premier's report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: I am deeply honored to be invited to present this policy report on behalf of my team at the Executive Yuan and would be delighted to answer interpellations from members of the Legislature. Since the beginning of this year, the global political and economic environment has undergone rapid change. Taiwan is situated on one of the world’s most volatile geopolitical fault lines. In order to respond to a continuously changing international environment, Taiwan must act cautiously and prepare thoroughly, while also proactively safeguarding its national security and enhancing its strength, so that the nation can attain a more important position in world affairs. It has been more than three years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. The pandemic has brought enormous changes that have impacted people's lives and affected the growth and development of industries. The special act and associated special budget to boost economic and social resilience and share the proceeds of growth in the post-pandemic era are enabling the public to resume their daily lives as soon as possible and my team is grateful for the Legislature’s support. The act is revitalizing the economy in the short term and galvanizing the transformation and upgrade of industries with the NT$380 billion (US$11.8 billion) of surplus government tax revenues allocated by the special budget. Taiwan's resilience during the epidemic not only impressed the rest of the world, but also served as a model for other nations to emulate. We have won many admirers around the world for our democracy, clean government, economic freedom and promotion of gender equality. In February this year, Britain’s Economist Intelligence Unit published the Democracy Index 2022, which rated Taiwan highest in Asia and ranked Taiwan 10th out of 167 countries and regions globally. In January 2023, Transparency International published the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, placing Taiwan 25th out of 180 surveyed countries and territories, and sixth out of 31 in the Asia-Pacific region. In the 2023 Index of Economic Freedom, published in February by U.S. think tank The Heritage Foundation, Taiwan ranked No. 4 globally, marking the nation’s best performance to date.  In March, Freedom House gave Taiwan a “Free” rating for the sixth consecutive year in its Freedom in the World 2023 survey. In the same month, international human rights organization CIVICUS released its People Power Under Attack 2022 report, which named Taiwan the only country in Asia with an open civic space for the fourth consecutive year. In May, Reporters Without Borders published the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, which scored Taiwan 35th globally for press freedom, rising 16 places from 51st place in 2015. In addition, this year Taiwan was included in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Social Institutions and Gender Index for the first time. In the latest version of the index, published in August, Taiwan ranked sixth globally out of 179 countries and regions, and the index praised Taiwan as a global top performer in eliminating laws, social norms and practices related to discrimination in the family.  I would like to pause here to give special thanks to the Legislative Yuan for its support and guidance during the previous legislative session, and for passing 140 laws relating to important issues of national security, social stability, public well-being and environmental sustainability. Each of these laws concerns people's lives and has influenced the economic development of the nation. It is also the largest number of bills passed in a single legislative session for two decades, 112 of which were sent by the Executive Yuan. Now I would like to provide my report on recent key policy achievements  and the future outlook for three major areas of national development: bolstering economic strength, building a harmonious homeland, and protecting Taiwan’s democracy. Bolstering economic strength Despite a weak global economic situation and the numerous changes and challenges faced by the nation, this administration has continued to energize Taiwan’s economic growth by promoting the Six Core Strategic Industries plan and the "five plus two" innovative industries plan. In its 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook, the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development ranked Taiwan sixth overall out of 64 surveyed countries in the nation’s strongest performance since 2012. Within the government efficiency category, Taiwan moved up to sixth place, rising from 12th place in 2018; and in the infrastructure category, Taiwan ranked 12th, rising from 22nd place in 2018. This shows that the nation is already reaping the benefits of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. The government’s optimization of the industrial investment environment has also borne fruit, with Taiwan jumping to fourth place in the Yearbook’s business efficiency category, up from 20th place in 2018. To drive forward economic development, the government continues to implement the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan. Since 2019, the three programs have successfully attracted more than 1,400 enterprises and a total of over NT$2.1 trillion (US$65.2 billion) of investment, while fostering more than 147,000 job opportunities. Moreover, investment by overseas Taiwanese and foreign entities into Taiwan last year exceeded US$13.3 billion: the highest amount in 15 years and the third highest historically, demonstrating that international investors have deep confidence in Taiwan's economy. Last year, the total trade volume between Taiwan and New Southbound Policy countries exceeded US$180.3 billion, with exports to the 18 targeted countries reaching a record high of US$96.9 billion—the best result since the policy was launched in 2016. In terms of investment, Taiwan's investment into New Southbound countries last year amounted to US$5.3 billion, exceeding investment into China for the first time since 1993. The government will continue to foster a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation with New Southbound Policy partner countries through resource sharing and talent cultivation. Taiwan's economic development has long prioritized the north over the south. To redress this imbalance, the Executive Yuan has committed to building a southern Taiwan science and technology corridor, which  includes the newly-established Chiayi Science Park and Pingtung Science Park, and the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park expansion, all of which have already broken ground. Additionally, the Executive Yuan in May approved a development plan for Asia’s New Bay Area 2.0 smart technology innovation park. The government will invest NT$17 billion (US$527.5 million) over seven years to build the innovation park, which is expected to generate NT$55 billion (US$1.7 billion) of domestic and international investment and more than 4,000 job opportunities. With Taiwan predicted to experience a worker and talent shortfall of 400,000 people by the year 2030, recruiting foreign talent has become a most urgent issue for the government. To respond to a short-term labor shortage arising from Taiwan’s post-pandemic industrial recovery, the Ministry of Labor has invested NT$1 billion (US$31 million) to promote a post-pandemic plan to improve labor shortages and expand employment, which is proactively assisting businesses to solve their labor shortfalls. As regards high-level talent, the Ministry of Education has approved the establishment of 12 specialized colleges for research in fields related to national key industries to accelerate the cultivation of skills needed by Taiwanese industries. In addition, since the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals came into effect in 2018, Taiwan has granted over 8,100 Employment Gold Cards to foreign nationals. At present there are approximately 50,000 foreign professionals working in Taiwan making great contributions in a number of fields including high tech, semiconductors, offshore wind power and finance. This year has seen the exponential rise of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, causing a rush of interest in AI in countries around the world. The AI Taiwan Action Plan 2.0 was approved by the Executive Yuan on April 7, with the aim of leveraging Taiwan's existing strengths to realize the government’s vision of using AI to energize the transformation and upgrade of industries, help improve social well-being and turn Taiwan into a global AI powerhouse. The semiconductor industry is a truly national industry and is the cornerstone of the government's “five plus two” innovative industries plan. In response to the recent trend toward the rapid development of generative AI, global memory manufacturer Micron Technology announced it will invest in research and development and manufacturing facilities in Taiwan.  During the past two years, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has established new factories in Tainan and Kaohsiung, and in July announced it will set up an advanced packaging fab in Hsinchu’s Tongluo Science Park with a projected investment of nearly NT$90 billion (US$2.8 billion), creating approximately 1,500 jobs. Furthermore, TSMC's Global R&D Center was inaugurated in Hsinchu on July 28th. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the indispensability of the biomedical industry to the nation’s development and security. The Executive Yuan has proposed a regenerative medicine bill and regenerative pharmaceuticals bill for the Legislature’s consideration. To deal with the many complex issues arising from the globalized world in which we live, the Executive Yuan plans to invest more than NT$11.1 billion (US$344.4 million) between this year and 2026 to continue optimizing the nation’s social innovation ecosystem using public-private partnerships and according to the four strategies of realizing social values, accelerating the pace of innovation, linking different resources, and expanding global influence. Global warming presents the nation with a number of challenges. The Executive Yuan last year announced a plan for Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050, followed by an action plan for 12 key strategies for net-zero transition. On January 31 this year, the Executive Yuan further approved a plan covering the period 2023-2026, which outlines various carbon reduction methods and adjustments to bring the nation closer to net zero. The plan aims to invest NT$74.3 billion (US$2.3 billion) in four years to establish a comprehensive carbon emissions management mechanism for the entire industrial supply chain. In addition, on March 28, the Executive Yuan approved phase one (2023-2026) of the Net-zero Science and Technology Program. The program will invest NT$15 billion (US$465.4 million) annually into sustainable, future-oriented energy sources and four other main development areas, to promote research and development into net-zero technology and accelerate its real-world implementation. The space industry is one of the nation’s Six Core Strategic Industries and the Triton weather satellite will be the first satellite to be launched under the third phase of the National Space Technology Long-term Development Program. Triton is scheduled for launch into the Earth’s orbit on October 5 and will contribute to future meteorological forecasting and scientific research. Building a harmonious homeland As part of the government's commitment to take care of low-paid workers, on September 11 I approved an adjustment to the national minimum wage. Starting January 1, 2024 the monthly minimum wage will rise from the current NT$26,400 (US$819) to NT$27,470 (US$852), and the hourly minimum wage will increase from NT$176 (US$5.46) to NT$183 (US$5.68). This marks the eighth consecutive year that the minimum wage has been raised since 2016. In addition, I have also approved a 4% pay increase to the salaries of military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers, effective January 1 next year. To address the declining birth rate, the Executive Yuan has substantially increased investment into child care from more than NT$15 billion (US$465.4 million) in 2016 to NT$107.2 billion (US$3.3 billion) this year. The government has raised childrearing allowances from NT$3,500 (US$109) to NT$5,000 (US$155) per month and increased child care subsidies for children ages 0-2 to NT$8,500 (US$264) per month—and we will raise them again next year to NT$13,000 (US$403) per month. In addition, fees for children aged 2-6 attending public or quasi-public preschools have been reduced across the board to less than NT$3,000 (US$93) per month. The government has expanded fertility treatment subsidies from only covering low income and lower-middle income households, to cover all couples where at least one spouse is of Taiwanese nationality, so as to provide a supportive and friendly environment for pregnancy. To create a school environment where children can learn happily and grow freely, last year the government invested NT$32.3 billion (US$1 billion) to ensure air-conditioning in every classroom and power generation at every school, and NT$20 billion (US$620.6 million) to provide internet access for every classroom and tablet access for every student. In order to achieve educational equality, the government has allocated NT$22.1 billion (US$685.7 million) for a plan and supporting measures to reduce the disparity between the costs of attending public versus private schools. Starting from February next year, students attending private universities or colleges will be eligible for a fixed-sum waiver to narrow the public-private tuition and fees gap, and students attending senior and vocational high schools will receive free tuition. The government is taking care of vulnerable groups by using the post-pandemic recovery special budget to provide additional monthly per capita living allowances to low income and lower-middle income households, as well as the elderly, physically and mentally disabled, and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, starting January next year, the government will increase “eight plus one” social welfare benefits, including living subsidies to disadvantaged households, national pension benefits and the monthly welfare allowance for elderly farmers. The government has been promoting the Long-term Care Plan 2.0 for over six years to reduce the burden of families caring for older generations. The plan’s allocated budget has jumped from less than NT$5 billion (US$155.1 million) in 2016 up to NT$87.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) in 2024, and the number of care centers has significantly increased from over 700 to more than 12,000. In 2021 and 2022, the Executive Yuan updated its white paper on aged society and approved a 2023-2026 strategic program to respond to a super-aged society, and will invest NT$120 billion (US$3.7 billion) over the coming four years to foster friendlier environments and promote healthy independent living for older people. To lower the hurdles faced by households caring for elderly people with disabilities or impairments, the government is also adopting new methods to determine the eligibility of families applying for foreign caregiver employment permits, bypassing the current requirement that individuals must be assessed by the Barthel Index. The Executive Yuan in 2021 approved the second phase of a program to strengthen Taiwan's social safety net, building a happier nation by providing people with peace of mind. The second phase allocates NT$40.7 billion (US$1.3 billion) over a five-year period, and makes available nearly 10,000 specialized social workers and mental health professionals. The government will also subsidize a salary increase of 8.16% for private sector social workers next year to boost the long-term retention of specialized personnel. The government is proactively pursuing housing justice. On January 10 the Legislature passed its third and final reading of draft amendments to the Equalization of Land Rights Act, which took effect in July. The new amendments ban the reselling and swapping of sales and purchase agreements for presold houses or new buildings. They also establish a whistleblower reward scheme and impose heavy penalties on real estate speculation. On September 21 the Executive Yuan also submitted to the Legislature for deliberation draft amendments to the House Tax Act, which would encourage more housing to be put on the market and institute more equitable differential tax rates on housing. To assist renter households, last year’s NT$30 billion (US$930.9 million) expanded rent subsidy program was reopened to applications this year with wider eligibility than ever before. Since 2017, the government has been directly involved in the construction of over 85,000 units of social housing, and facilitated the signing of rental contracts for nearly 60,000 units through a subleasing and management program. Together, this exceeds over 140,000 housing units, and we expect to reach our policy target of 200,000 units by the end of next year. To assist homebuyers, the Executive Yuan utilized the post-pandemic special budget to launch a program providing personal housing loan support for households of middle-class incomes and below. The government has also implemented a program to provide preferential housing loans for young homebuyers which raises loan limits, increases loan interest subsidies, and extends loan repayment and loan forbearance periods. We hope these measures will help to meet the practical needs of the homebuying public.  Many of Taiwan’s local languages are at risk of falling into disuse or even vanishing altogether, with some having suffered disruptions in their teaching and transmission. The Executive Yuan thus advanced a 2022-2026 plan for the comprehensive development of national languages, which aims to create friendlier environments for the use of all national languages. In addition, the Executive Yuan has approved a draft act for the establishment of a national languages research and development center and submitted it to the Legislature for deliberation. Taiwan’s diverse cultures deserve vigorous promotion. I would like to thank the Legislature for in May passing the third and final reading of amendments to the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries Act. In the future, cultural and creative industries focused on audiovisual content will be categorized as national strategic industries and be eligible for investment tax credits. The government sincerely invites business partners to become important advocates in this endeavor, allowing the unique qualities of Taiwan’s cultures to be seen by wider audiences.  To ensure the preservation and passing on of indigenous languages and indigenous rights, the budget allocated to indigenous peoples’ issues has risen significantly from NT$8.8 billion (US$273.1 million) in 2016 to nearly NT$13.5 billion (NT$418.9 million) this year. The Council of Indigenous Peoples is actively promoting the learning and use of indigenous languages. An act promoting indigenous health care was also promulgated and took force this year on June 21. Hakka culture is rich and diverse. The 2023 Hakka Expo, the first international expo centered on Hakka culture, is now being held in Taoyuan from August 11 to October 15. The expo brings together a vast array of Hakka cultural experiences from around the world, and showcases the special features of Taiwan’s Hakka culture.  Taiwan has been severely impacted by disinformation and ranks as one of the world’s largest targets of cybersecurity attacks. The government has rolled out version 2.0 of its comprehensive “cybersecurity is national security” strategy, and, following the inauguration of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the National Institute of Cyber Security was also officially unveiled on February 10 this year.  To protect the public from damaging breaches of personal data, the Executive Yuan has made government agencies and their affiliated entities responsible for reporting serious data leaks and conducting routine security checks. Through recent amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act, penalties have increased for leaks of personal data by businesses, which will motivate the private sector to assume more responsibility for protecting the public’s personal data.  In recent months, several cases of sexual harassment from across society have come to light. Draft amendments to three gender equality laws were quickly proposed, placing the protection of victims front and center. The amendments are intended to strengthen effective penalties for perpetrators; extend comprehensive, victim-friendly rights protections; and establish dependable, professional systems to combat sexual harassment. I would like to thank the Legislature for passing the third and final readings of the amendments in succession on July 28 and July 31.   A recent dramatic rise in scams has caused enormous financial damage to many people’s lives. The Executive Yuan has published version 1.5 of the government’s next-generation anti-fraud strategy guidelines, focusing on three strategies of reducing exposure, reducing deception and reducing harm caused by scams, in order to lower the overall number of incidents. Furthermore, amendments to five laws, including the Criminal Code and the Money Laundering Control Act, will authorize harsher penalties for deepfake scams, unauthorized custody of individuals, and human trafficking, thereby deterring such criminal behavior and increasing punishments for related fraudulent activities.  Due to factors including climate change and global outbreaks of avian flu, there was a shortage of eggs on the market earlier this year. The Executive Yuan employed an egg import program to supplement domestic production and supplies and maintain reasonable prices, in addition to conducting strict investigations of illegal stockpiling and price gouging. The government also delivered measures to upgrade poultry farm facilities and equipment; provided subsidies for culling infected chickens; and launched an avian flu insurance program, in order to make up for egg farmers’ losses to the disease and incentivize continued poultry farming.  Taiwan is currently one of only two nations in East Asia free of African swine fever. After 24 years of dedicated effort, we have also succeeded in eradicating foot-and-mouth disease, and on July 1 we began ending classical swine fever vaccinations nationwide. We expect to apply to the World Organisation for Animal Health next year for Taiwan to be classified as a classical swine fever-free zone. At the same time, we are advancing a program to comprehensively transform and upgrade the pork industry, which will elevate the quality of Taiwanese pork. The government has been working to open up lucrative new markets and diversify sales channels for agricultural product exports. Last year the total value of Taiwan’s agricultural product exports surpassed US$5.2 billion, of which over US$900 million were exports to the U.S. The U.S. and Japan have now become Taiwan’s two largest agricultural export markets.  I would like to thank the Legislature for supporting the Executive Yuan’s draft amendments to the Marine Pollution Control Act as well as a draft bill to govern the development of marine industries. These laws help maintain a balance between marine conservation and the growth of marine industries.   After the lifting of pandemic restrictions, the government launched the Accelerated and Expanded Inbound Tourism Promotion Program to welcome an abundance of international tourists to Taiwan. Independent travelers visiting Taiwan are eligible to enter a lucky draw at the airport to win prizes. On September 13, we saw the four millionth arrival by a foreign tourist in Taiwan this year, meaning we are over two-thirds of the way toward achieving our goal of six million arrivals by the end of the year.  The government is dedicated to creating a road traffic environment that puts people first and prioritizes pedestrian right of way. The Executive Yuan has created a set of strategies for protecting pedestrians, approved its policy guidelines (2023-2027) for pedestrian traffic safety and approved a draft bill for a basic act for road traffic safety. This latter bill is designed to comprehensively improve nationwide road traffic safety and was submitted August 18 to the Legislature for deliberation. The Executive Yuan has also greenlighted a plan to sustainably increase pedestrian safety, which will allocate an estimated NT$40 billion (US$1.2 billion) over four years to improve pedestrian environments. To reduce the costs of commuting for workers and students, the Executive Yuan allocated NT$20 billion (US$620.6 million) through the post-pandemic special budget to promote TPASS, a new monthly commuter card allowing unlimited journeys within a specific region across multiple modes of transport, including Taiwan Railways, MRT, light rail, public city buses and intercity buses. The TPASS is available in three regional variants covering northern, central and southern Taiwan. The card enables the public to enjoy discounted travel while at the same time lowering carbon emissions and promoting sustainable, green transportation.  The Port of Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s largest port and a major Asian shipping hub. It hosts the Kaohsiung Port Cruise Terminal, which was built with a government investment of NT$4.5 billion (US$139.6 million) and officially opened on March 6 this year. The new terminal can accommodate the world's largest 250,000 metric-ton cruise ships and signifies Taiwan’s official comeback in the global cruise market.  Protecting Taiwan’s democracy Taiwan holds a critical position in international supply chains. Faced with China’s hostile and aggressive ambitions to annex Taiwan, more and more nations around the world are realizing the important fact that peace in the Taiwan Strait is in the interests of the entire world. These nations have become willing to speak out on Taiwan’s behalf in various international settings, and are keen to strengthen cooperation with Taiwan.  Since the beginning of this year, many international delegations have visited Taiwan, including from the U.S., U.K., France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Japan and the EU Parliament. Each delegation has expressed their deep concern over the shifting situation in the Taiwan Strait and supported the need for Taiwan to bravely defend its freedom and democracy, while also actively deepening cooperation with likeminded international partners. Indeed, our government has recently announced the opening of representative offices in Montreal and Mumbai to enhance cooperative exchanges with Canada and India. Taiwan is also set to open a new representative office in the Italian city of Milan this October.  Economic and trade relations between Taiwan and the U.S. achieved an important and substantial breakthrough this year. On June 1, we signed the first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, our largest-scale and most comprehensive pact with the U.S. since 1979, which was passed with unanimous consent by the Legislature. Taiwan and the U.S. have concluded early negotiating rounds on five topics including trade facilitation, which will serve as a foundation for talks on a further range of issues and bring us closer to the goal of signing a bilateral free trade agreement. Taiwan is an important participant in international security systems. Faced with incessant military threats and intimidation from China, Taiwan must bolster its defensive capabilities and manpower. The Executive Yuan last year passed a plan to realign Taiwan’s military force structure to strengthen all-out national defense. Beginning 2024, the length of compulsory military service will be reinstated to one year. In addition, the government’s overall budget for national defense reached a historic high this year. With the military’s restructuring into a main combat force, garrison force, civil defense system and reserve system, we will forge a stronger and more effective all-out national defense.  Self-reliance in national defense is an important administrative policy at this time. Regarding domestic aircraft production, a total of 19 new-model advanced jet trainers have been delivered, which will enable incoming pilots to train more effectively and improve their skills. Regarding domestic ship construction, the ROC Navy’s auxiliary rescue and salvage ship launched at the end of March, enhancing the Navy’s maritime rescue capabilities. Several Tuo Chiang-class corvettes have been launched or delivered this year, substantially increasing the Navy’s offshore anti-aircraft and anti-ship defense capabilities.  The government has also purchased munitions and related equipment for F-16 fighter jets, which will substantially enhance the ability of our F-16V forces to maintain long-range air, sea and land superiority. We would also like to give special thanks to the U.S. government for including the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) in its 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which fast-tracks military sales to Taiwan and further enhances the Taiwan-U.S. defense partnership. At the end of July, U.S. President Biden for the first time utilized the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) to announce the provision of a US$345 million military aid package to Taiwan, demonstrating continued support for Taiwan’s growing self-defense capabilities.  Taiwan still faces many serious challenges in the future. The Executive Yuan’s administrative team will continue striving to create a happy, united, resilient and compassionate Taiwan, and do our utmost to build a Taiwan that we can all be proud of. Thank you!   <上版日期>112-09-26 <更新日期>112-11-07 <發布日期>112-10-06 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/5547b290-02bf-413b-bc21-caacc53d23da <標題>Premier Chen Chien-jen's oral policy report to 7th session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: I would like to express my gratitude to the three previous premiers—Lin Chuan, Lai Ching-te and Su Tseng-chang—who during their time in office promoted energy transition, the Long-term Care Plan 2.0, policies to counteract declining birth rates, tax cuts with tangible impact, pension reform, regional revitalization, forward-looking infrastructure and the "five plus two" innovative industries plan. They strove to fulfill President Tsai Ing-wen’s vision for the nation, and to lay the foundation for a stronger Taiwan.  The COVID-19 pandemic swept the world at the start of 2020 and its effects are still felt today, with major shocks to the global economy, people’s livelihoods and industrial supply chains. However, Taiwan was able to demonstrate resilience and its economy greatly outperformed the vast majority of other countries during the pandemic. This was thanks to appropriate pandemic prevention measures, as well as the government’s deployment of policies long beforehand to improve the investment environment and return capital to Taiwan—such as the "five plus two" innovative industries plan, the Six Core Strategic Industries plan, and the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan—in addition to various other measures to bolster forward-looking infrastructure and expand domestic demand. As a result, Taiwan’s economic growth rate reached 6.53% in 2021, the highest in 11 years.  Taiwan also continues to receive international acclaim for its consecutive high rankings for global competitiveness, clean governance, democracy, press freedom, economic freedom and sovereign credit rating in various global indexes. In February 2022, Taiwan ranked No. 1 globally in the Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index published by Nikkei Asia. In the 2022 Index of Economic Freedom published that same month by U.S. think tank The Heritage Foundation, Taiwan entered the “Free” category for the first time, ranking No. 6 globally and being the only such country with a population over 20 million. The following April, S&P Global Ratings raised Taiwan's sovereign credit rating to AA+, Taiwan’s highest rating in 21 years. In June, the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development released the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022, in which Taiwan placed seventh out of 63 economies surveyed, climbing for the fourth straight year to achieve its best performance in nine years, and ranking No. 1 globally for the second consecutive year among economies with a population over 20 million. Finally, in January 2023, Transparency International published the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, where Taiwan placed 25th out of 180 countries and territories surveyed, its highest ranking since the index began publication in 1995.  For the past six years and more, the government’s administration has been steady and its finances robust. We continue to push for higher salaries, lower taxes and increased social benefits, from young to old, from home to classroom. The government has also maintained strict fiscal discipline. The central government's general budget has run a surplus for five consecutive years, with the annual surplus exceeding NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion) for four consecutive years. Surplus revenue in 2021 reached nearly NT$300 billion (US$9.9 billion) and last year’s surplus is anticipated to set a record high.  Taiwan currently faces the same task as the rest of the world’s nations, that of rebuilding an economy and society in the post-pandemic era. Taiwan’s achievements in fighting the pandemic, made possible through the cooperation and unity of all its people, garnered widespread international recognition. However, the threat of the Omicron variant since last year has struck a blow to many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and street vendors, and the lives of certain socially vulnerable groups have become fraught with economic difficulties. A faltering global economy has furthermore caused a marked drop in export orders in certain industries late last year. These are all issues that call for greater support from the government. Because Taiwan has had strong overall economic performance in the past few years and the government has exercised strict fiscal discipline, tax revenue has been surpassing budget forecasts and the accumulated surplus can be put toward serving the future developmental needs of the nation. Therefore, the Executive Yuan on January 12 approved a special bill to boost economic and social resilience and share the proceeds of growth in the post-pandemic era. We hope at this key juncture to share the benefits of economic growth with the public, accelerate the post-pandemic recovery, and strengthen care for the industries and people who were more greatly impacted by the pandemic.  This year remains full of challenges. Facing down the repercussions of the Russia-Ukraine war, pressure from global inflation and rising interest rates, geopolitical instability, climate change and shifts in international political and economic conditions, we are devoting full efforts to achieve the four main priorities entrusted to us by President Tsai: 1. Gradually adjusting pandemic measures to return greater normalcy to people’s lives and continuing steady progress into a new era of post-pandemic recovery.  2. Executing a comprehensive review of the social services system and introducing new innovations, covering issues from childrearing to long-term care, rents to mortgages, student loans to labor shortages, and extending to public safety, road safety and information security. 3. Upgrading national infrastructure and continuing to promote the fourth phase of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. Comprehensively improving the environmental infrastructure of farming and fishing villages, boosting the competitiveness of SMEs and assisting the transformation of traditional industries. 4. Continuing to promote the Six Core Strategic Industries to foster more competitive research and development in next-generation technologies. My newly appointed Cabinet team is implementing these wide-ranging initiatives with all possible speed, building a compassionate and resilient Taiwan, resilient enough to meet the many challenges we’ll face at home and abroad over the next 10 years while maintaining a competitive edge.  I would now like to deliver my report on the Executive Yuan’s recent policy achievements and implementation efforts. A resilient economy with sustainable development To bolster economic development and resilience, the government continues to implement the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan to drive investment and accelerate the new construction or expansion of science parks and technology industrial parks. The government is also promoting the Six Core Strategic Industries to advance R&D in forward-looking science and technology, constructing more competitive environments and consolidating Taiwan’s critical position as a leader in global science and technology.  To cultivate, recruit and retain talent, the government has set up 11 specialized colleges for research in fields related to key national industries, directly fostering the skilled personnel required by those industries. The government has issued over 6,000 Employment Gold Cards to facilitate the hiring of outstanding skilled professionals from foreign countries in fields including semiconductor technology, offshore wind power, finance, arts and culture. The government has also implemented a program for long-term retention of migrant workers, designed to keep a pool of experienced and high-quality foreign skilled talent in Taiwan. The government last year initiated a plan to raise the overall competitiveness of SMEs, which will invest nearly NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion) over a five-year period to help SMEs undergo digital transformation, advance innovative R&D, and strengthen their capabilities in industrial technology and sustainable production. A portion of the proposed special budget for post-pandemic recovery will also be allocated to assist SMEs in adopting smart technologies and low-carbon business models, and to develop necessary infrastructure for SMEs. The special budget will also provide project loans to help SMEs maintain stable operations, retain talent and introduce transformative upgrades. The government continues to improve benefits from the Green Environmental Payment Program to safeguard Taiwan’s agricultural production, and has already invested more than NT$20 billion (US$657.8 million) to mechanize agricultural work, modernize agricultural equipment and create a nationwide cold chain logistics system. Nearly NT$10 billion (US$328.9 million) has been invested to improve port facilities for distant water fishing vessels, and to boost workers’ earnings by raising the export capacity and international competitiveness of agricultural and fishery products. The government also plans to actively invest in stronger water resource infrastructure for the agricultural industry, as well as improving local agricultural roads and facilities for poultry, livestock and aquaculture, thus building a more resilient environment for agricultural development.  The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals have become important policy targets for many countries around the world. Taiwan’s government is actively investing in renewable energy sources. Last year saw the addition of 2.5 gigawatts (GW) of solar power generation capacity, the most ever installed in a single year. Installation of 191 offshore wind turbines has already been completed, with an additional 2.2 GW of wind power from wind farms connecting to the power grid this year. The total output of Taiwan’s renewable energy sources last year reached 20 billion kilowatt-hours, contributing a historic high of 8% of the nation’s total energy supply. Moving forward, the government will continue to accelerate the overall development process for green energy, ensuring a stable energy supply while at the same time achieving the goal of reducing air pollution and carbon emissions.  Net-zero carbon emissions is a shared goal for global environmental sustainability and is important for strengthening Taiwan’s environmental resilience. Last March, the government officially published a plan for Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050, and on January 10 this year, the Legislature passed the third and final reading of the Climate Change Response Act which incorporated the target of net-zero emissions by 2050 into law. In fact, the first document I officially approved as premier was a four-year plan outlining the path to reach net-zero carbon emissions, which allocates an estimated budget of NT$74.3 billion (US$2.4 billion) from 2023 to 2026, and proposes various carbon reduction methods and adjustments to bring domestic industries and related areas smoothly into alignment with international benchmarks. A compassionate nation that cares for its people The government is introducing comprehensive innovations to the social services system, building an environment of peace and prosperity for all. In the area of public safety, the government continues to strengthen sweeps for illegal drugs to protect people’s health and lives, and is promoting strategic guidelines to crack down on new types of fraud, seeking out and eliminating them at their source while enforcing strict criminal penalties. We’re also devoting full efforts to rooting out criminal gangs and toughening confiscation of illegal firearms.  The government is dedicated to upholding road and traffic safety. We’ll continue to promote a variety of safety initiatives to reduce traffic accident fatalities, prioritizing the pedestrian right of way as the central focus in enforcement, administration, public awareness and the road environment itself.  Information security is national security. To guarantee our safety, the government will continue to enhance the nation’s digital resilience and information security systems. The National Institute of Cyber Security was inaugurated on February 10. This non-departmental public body will facilitate the training of practical talent, promote the application of new security technologies and strengthen preparations to deal with serious information security incidents.  The Executive Yuan is now actively formulating the establishment of an independent supervisory mechanism for the protection of personal data. In addition, complementary amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act and the Cyber Security Management Act are being advanced that will raise penalties for breaching personal data, expand the scope of liability, and strengthen the responsibility and requirements of public and private sectors to protect personal data. This is the seventh consecutive year that the minimum wage has been raised since President Tsai took office, and the sixth consecutive year that the tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses has increased. Since 2016, the monthly and hourly minimum wages have risen by 32% and 47%, respectively. We will continue to strengthen support for working-class individuals and families.   To reinforce protections for farmers and fishermen, the government in recent years has promoted four welfare measures for agricultural and fishery workers—farmers’ health insurance, occupational hazards insurance, agricultural insurance and a pension savings system—and we launched a rice insurance scheme beginning with the first rice crop of 2022 that provides a basic guarantee for the livelihoods of rice farmers. In January this year, the Legislature passed the third and final reading of amendments to the Farmer Health Insurance Act, enabling substantial increases to the maternity benefits and funeral allowances provided by insurance.  I would like to thank the esteemed Legislature for passing the final readings of the central government’s 2023 general budget on January 19, and the special budget funding the fourth phase of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program last December 30. More budget has been allocated this year to policies for education, long-term care and counteracting low birth rates than ever before in the nation’s history. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to advancing measures that lighten people’s burdens, showing empathy for the hardships of caregivers and married and childrearing households.  The government is currently implementing the five-year NT$40.7 billion (US$1.3 billion) second phase of its program to strengthen Taiwan's social safety net. The goal is to build a more robust family-oriented and community-based protective system that closes the gaps in community mental health providers and community support services to create a dense network of nodes that delivers government services to vulnerable people across society. In February, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics published data on the impact of fluctuating commodity prices which showed that Taiwan’s consumer price index last year rose by 2.95%—lower than the eurozone’s 8.4%, the U.S.’s 8.0% and South Korea’s 5.1% for the same period. To prevent fluctuating commodity prices from impacting people’s livelihoods and to lighten financial burdens, the government has taken prompt action to manage the situation by implementing a range of policies to stabilize prices. In addition to injecting funds into Taiwan Power Co. and providing electricity price subsidies, the government has also implemented controls at the source on energy and raw material prices, applying tax reductions on multiple occasions to key raw materials, including soy beans, wheat and corn. In response to rising domestic interest rates and to lighten the burdens of vulnerable groups, the government has fully absorbed interest rate rises for worker relief loans, student loans, youth entrepreneurship loans and youth relief loans, as well as loans taken out under the indigenous peoples’ development fund. To ensure that all young people have a secure roof over their heads, the government has implemented a social housing plan that will deliver 200,000 social housing units over eight years. To date, 130,000 new homes and subleased or managed units have already been made available. Additionally, last year saw the introduction of a central government program that expands rental subsidies to NT$30 billion (US$986.7 million) and this year the application requirements were relaxed, reducing the minimum age from 20 to 18 years old and opening up applications to university students. To reduce the burden on commuters, relieve traffic congestion, save energy and reduce carbon emissions, a central government plan has been formulated to promote public transportation access that will provide subsidies to commuters, as well as other measures for different regions to promote the use of public transport by commuters and tourists. Last year, the government fully implemented its three-pronged school reform policy to install air conditioning in every elementary and middle school classroom across the nation, provide tablet computer access for elementary through high schools, and implement a system of central kitchens to support smaller schools. The government will continue to forge ahead with its plan to build digital learning environments, improve the quality of school meals, enhance the quality of higher education, and fully embed the protection and development of national languages in school curriculums, while also devoting energy toward raising the nation’s English language proficiency. To create a Taiwanese cultural brand, this year the government will continue to promote a range of cultural polices by focusing on legal and organizational aspects. We’ll also use the post-pandemic special budget to provide cultural industries with a revitalization plan. Taiwan is an ethnically diverse nation. The government will continue to promote indigenous historical justice and transitional justice, support the passing of ethnic languages to future generations and strengthen the resilience of economic and industrial development in indigenous communities. We will also continue our work to promote a renaissance in Hakka art and culture, stimulate the economies of Hakka village communities and promote the benefits of regional revitalization and cultural sustainability to Hakka communities. The government will forge ahead with empowering and improving the rights and care of new immigrants and their children, and strive to build a more tolerant, open and compassionate society for new arrivals. A secure Taiwan with a global footing  On January 26, the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute’s 2022 Human Freedom Index rated Taiwan the freest nation within Asia and on February 2, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index 2022 rated Taiwan highest in Asia for a second year running. Taiwan’s democracy is our most precious asset. Taiwan’s persistence in defending freedom, the rule of law, human rights and other universal values, in addition to its fearless resolution in the face of totalitarian aggression, has been essential to enabling the nation to attract the international community’s attention and win global recognition in recent years. Taiwan-U.S. ties have never been stronger, and Taiwan has achieved a series of important breakthroughs in our nation’s relationship with Europe. Every year Taiwan hosts numerous heavyweight, increasingly high-level delegations from the U.S., Japan, the EU and other European nations. A growing number of countries and international organizations are more frequently taking these and other concrete actions to demonstrate their strong support for Taiwan. The government will continue to push for a more rapid timetable for Taiwan-U.S. trade talks and continue to foster ever-closer partnerships with like-minded democratic nations in order to jointly safeguard a free and open Indo-Pacific region and preserve the region’s stability and prosperity. The government strives to ensure that transitional justice concepts take root within society, human rights values are internalized in the minds of Taiwanese, and the nation’s democratic system is consolidated. To this end, the Executive Yuan will implement national transitional justice educational action guidelines so that schools, public organizations and wider society can draw lessons from history and ensure that Taiwan never again heads down the path of violating human rights. In addition, a foundation to restore victims’ rights infringed by illegal acts of the state during Taiwan’s period of authoritarian rule was officially inaugurated on February 18. To protect this beautiful nation and guarantee our freedoms and democratic way of life, in 2023 Taiwan will spend over NT$580 billion (US$19 billion) on defense in a clear demonstration of our will to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty and safeguard national security.   To enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities, in addition to continuing with work to achieve defense autonomy, the government is also strengthening the nation’s all-out defense system. Following the establishment of the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency in January last year, President Tsai personally oversaw the development of a plan to strengthen and recalibrate the national defense force structure. The plan strengthens the nation’s defense capabilities by reorganizing the military into four main divisions: a main combat force composed primarily of military volunteers and a garrison force composed primarily of conscripts, as well as the preexisting civil defense system and reserve system. The plan also reinstates one-year compulsory military service, beginning in 2024.  To strengthen the public’s psychological defenses and protect against cognitive warfare, the government will continue to develop systems to verify and rebut misinformation and disinformation. By making information more transparent and open, and educating all members of the public on how to establish the authenticity of information they receive, we can avoid falling into the trap of information warfare. Democratic nations around the world share a high-level consensus on the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s government will devote its efforts to maintaining this peace and stability according to the four commitments set out by President Tsai: our commitment to a free and democratic constitutional system, our commitment that the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China should not be subordinate to each other, our commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty, and our commitment that the future of Taiwan must be decided in accordance with the will of the Taiwanese people. Post-pandemic recovery for a resilient Taiwan The government has prepared sufficient quantities of various pandemic-prevention supplies and antiviral drugs, while nearly 90% of the population has been vaccinated twice against COVID-19 and over 76% of the population has received a booster dose. In light of these achievements, the government is gradually relaxing anti-pandemic measures: reopening the nation’s borders on October 13 last year, cancelling the outdoor mask mandate on December 1, easing the indoor mask mandate on February 20 and relaxing the indoor mask mandate for schools at all levels from March 6. The government will take into consideration other countries’ anti-pandemic measures and the timing of when foreign states of emergency are lifted for COVID-19, so as to better inform our own rolling review of when to appropriately relax isolation measures and reporting requirements, and downgrade COVID-19’s classification as a notifiable communicable disease. We are committed to bringing the lives of Taiwan’s people back to normal, thus facilitating a swifter post-pandemic recovery.  Following higher-than-expected tax revenues for fiscal year 2022, the  Executive Yuan approved a special bill to boost economic and social resilience and share the proceeds of growth in the post-pandemic era and proposed an associated special budget with an upper limit of NT$380 billion (US$12.5 billion), of which NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion) will be used to increase electricity price subsidies and meet shortfalls in Labor Insurance and National Health Insurance funds, and NT$140 billion (US$4.6 billion) used to provide every person with a one-off cash payment of NT$6,000 (US$197). A portion of the remaining NT$140 billion (US$4.6 billion) will be divided across seven government departments to comprehensively strengthen the nation’s post-pandemic economic and social resilience. Spending areas will include promoting the upgrade and transition of SMEs, expanding public transportation subsidies, accelerating the return of foreign tourists to Taiwan, upgrading agricultural infrastructure, reinvigorating the nation’s arts and cultural industries, expanding goods bank locations, bolstering support for disadvantaged groups, providing care services, student and housing loans subsidies, and lightening people’s accommodation burdens. Cooperating together for a common happiness Taiwan must unite if we are to build a compassionate and resilient nation. Whether national infrastructure projects, economic development or disease prevention, central and local governments must work hand in glove, and the government and the public must give each other their full cooperation. As we embark upon this crucial phase of post-pandemic social healing and the rebuilding of a resilient economy, the Executive Yuan administrative team will strain every sinew to defend Taiwan, build up our homeland and bolster our national strength, to create a more compassionate society, a happier people and a more developed nation. Thank you. <上版日期>112-02-24 <更新日期>112-06-02 <發布日期>112-02-24 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/f1e64502-5c14-41e0-9a1a-06cf6311fcbe <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 6th session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: Last year, Taiwan had its best economic performance in the past 11 years. This year, we continued to win recognition from authoritative international organizations in global rankings based on criteria such as clean government, democracy and economic freedom. In April, S&P Global Ratings raised Taiwan’s sovereign credit rating to AA+, our highest rating in 21 years. In June, Taiwan placed No. 7 in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022 published by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development, rising for the fourth straight year to achieve our best ranking in nine years, while maintaining our No. 1 spot worldwide among economic entities with a population of over 20 million.  This past year has seen persistent proliferation of new COVID-19 variants, the outbreak and continuation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and China’s deliberate escalation of military threats and harassment against Taiwan. The international situation is tense and we face ongoing challenges at home and abroad. In response, our administrative team has redoubled its efforts—we’ll continue to cultivate our economic strengths and boost national competitiveness, expand citizen care services and reassure the public, uphold democratic freedoms, progress toward sustainable development, and do everything in our power to make Taiwan an island of resilience. I would now like to deliver my report on the Executive Yuan’s recent policy implementation efforts, centered on three major themes: strengthening the economy, supporting the people's well-being and protecting Taiwan. Strengthening the economy Since the outbreak of the pandemic more than two years ago, the government has been flexible in adjusting public health measures to steer a trajectory toward normal life, active disease prevention, and steady lifting of restrictions, all while sustaining the national economy and people’s livelihoods.   The government continues to encourage vaccinations for all age groups to boost protection against infection. Taiwan ranks No. 8 in the world for vaccine doses administered per 100 people. Our reserves are now sufficiently stocked with multiple vaccines to choose from, including for adults and children. Our supply of antiviral drugs is also fully stocked. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to have two brands of oral antivirals, Merck and Pfizer, at the ready, and our usage rate for antivirals among confirmed cases is the second highest in the world behind only the United States. Countries around the world are now easing or announcing an end to pandemic restrictions and reopening their national borders. To boost the economy and international exchanges, our government has thus announced that, starting September 29, the “3+4” quarantine scheme (three days of isolation followed by four days of self-initiated epidemic prevention) for arriving travelers will allow the “one person per room” rule for the entire seven-day period, on-arrival saliva PCR testing at the airport will be canceled, and visa-exempt status will be restored to countries previously afforded that privilege. If the situation proceeds as expected and remains under control, then a second phase of measures will be implemented, including a “0+7” quarantine scheme (seven days of self-initiated epidemic prevention) for arriving travelers as well as the full reopening of Taiwan’s borders. Since President Tsai Ing-wen took office, the government has striven to promote the “five plus two” innovative industries plan and six core strategic industries, as well as fund forward-looking infrastructure to improve basic infrastructure and the investment environment. In response to the U.S.-China trade conflict, the government has promoted the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan, attracting more than 1,250 companies and total investments exceeding NT$1.79 trillion (US$56.5 billion) in a little over three years.  The government is actively working to meet industry needs. To provide land for development, we have approved the construction or expansion of seven science parks over the past three years, comprising a total area of over 700 hectares. We have upgraded export processing zones to technology industrial parks, adding or renovating space for industrial development. We have also revitalized industrial zones through vertical expansion of buildings and facilities, and breathed new life into unused land in industrial zones. All these efforts have substantially increased the land available for use by companies, enhancing industrial cluster effects. In water and energy supplies, the government has invested over NT$130 billion (US$4.1 billion) in forward-looking infrastructure for water environments over the past five years. Every drop of our water resources will be put to proper use by employing four major strategies—expanding new sources of water, economizing water, deploying water supplies and creating backup networks. The government will devote more than NT$560 billion (US$17.7 billion) within the next 10 years to strengthen the resilience and security of the national power grid—heightening our ability to respond to sudden disruptions, lowering the probability of large-scale power outages, and establishing a favorable foundation for the achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050. To cultivate and recruit talent, the government has set up 11 colleges in Taiwan for research in the fields of key national industries, directly fostering the highly skilled workforce needed by those industries. The government has also issued nearly 5,800 Employment Gold Cards to facilitate the hiring of outstanding skilled professionals from foreign countries. At the end of April, we launched a program for long-term retention of migrant workers, designed to keep a pool of experienced and high-quality foreign skilled talent in Taiwan. The government also promoted a program to enhance the cultivation and retention of overseas compatriot students, attracting more star pupils to come and stay in Taiwan. Last September the government officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to advance more favorable trade ties and opportunities for Taiwan. We’re now continuing to utilize bilateral, regional and multilateral channels to actively seek the support of CPTPP member countries. On August 18, Taiwan and the U.S. commenced formal negotiations on the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, signifying a breakthrough in bilateral economic and trade relations. This initiative will help our two countries develop a more comprehensive, substantive and long-lasting partnership. Taiwan will also continue to petition the U.S. to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, as well as develop deeper and more extensive multilevel cooperation with the U.S. through Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks and other existing mechanisms. Under the New Southbound Policy, Taiwan’s export and overall trade value with the 18 New Southbound countries both broke record highs last year. In the first half of this year, Taiwan’s imports from New Southbound countries reached about US$40.9 billion, jumping 38.3% over the same period last year, and exports reached about US$50 billion, growing more than 28.5% over the same period last year, both historic same-period highs.  Capitalizing on the reorganization of global supply chains, the government is strategically encouraging foreign firms to come to Taiwan to co-invest with domestic businesses in forward-looking technology fields. About 30 major international firms have set up R&D centers in Taiwan, investing a total of about NT$60 billion (US$1.9 billion). Among those R&D facilities, Google’s data center is the largest in Asia, Microsoft’s AI R&D center is the first of its kind in Asia, and Micron’s high-end memory R&D center is developing the world’s most advanced manufacturing processes. The major automotive semiconductor manufacturer NXP has also established an R&D center in Taiwan to test new products for the international automotive market. Science and technology strengthen our nation. As more and more foreign cutting-edge R&D centers migrate to Taiwan, they increase the autonomy and resilience of our domestic industry chains and, at the same time, help build a preventive “silicon shield” that bolsters Taiwan’s national security.  The Ministry of Digital Affairs was officially inaugurated on August 27. This new ministry will consolidate five major fields: telecommunications, information, cyber security, internet and communications, and actively work to ensure national cybersecurity, promote the digital transformation of industries, and build digital resilience for all. Supporting the people's well-being The government continues to share the fruits of economic growth with the people by raising salaries, cutting taxes and increasing welfare benefits. Next year, the monthly minimum wage will be raised to NT$26,400 (US$834) and the hourly minimum wage to NT$176 (US$5.56), benefitting more than 2.3 million workers. Compared with 2016, the monthly minimum wage will have risen nearly 32% and the hourly minimum wage nearly 47%. In addition, this year’s tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses is expected to grow to NT$196,000 (US$6,190) per person, benefiting about 2.3 million households. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the minimum wage has been raised and the sixth consecutive year that the tax-deductible allowance for basic living expenses has increased. To reduce domestic inflationary pressure and stabilize commodity prices, the government has implemented five rounds of tax-reduction measures for key raw materials from the start of last December to the end of this December. These measures have included waiving sales taxes on imports of soybeans, wheat and corn; reducing import duties on wheat, beef, butter and baking-purpose milk powder; and lowering commodity taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel and cement. According to the latest announcement from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, the consumer price index for August rose 2.66% from a year ago, the lowest year-over-year increase in six months, and the rate of increase is expected to slow in the second half of this year.  The central bank has hiked interest rates in consideration of the overall economic and financial situation at home and abroad, and specifically to stabilize domestic commodity prices. The government will continue to maintain certain loan interest subsidies to lighten the financial burdens of specific groups. The government has also been issuing additional monthly living allowances of NT$500 (US$15.79) per person to lower-middle income households and NT$750 (US$23.67) per person to low income households from March to December of this year to give economically vulnerable households greater financial stability.  The government has substantially increased funding for response policies to declining birth rates to encourage the younger generations to marry, have children and raise families. This funding has grown from NT$15 billion (US$464.1 million) in 2016 to NT$80 billion (US$2.5 billion) this year, and it’s anticipated to exceed NT$100 billion (US$3.2 billion) next year. The government has also passed amendments to 15 regulations to build a friendlier environment for childbirth and childrearing, including increases to the number of subsidized prenatal exams, number of paid leave days for prenatal exams, number of paid leave days for accompanying a spouse to prenatal exams and birth, stipend amounts for parental leave without pay, flexibility of applying for parental leave without pay, and access to fertility treatment subsidies. These fertility treatment subsidies have successfully supported the birth of around 4,600 babies since July last year, and we hope to raise that total to nearly 10,000 births by the end of this year. We hiked monthly childrearing allowances again this August to NT$5,000 (US$158), with additional allowances of NT$6,000 (US$189) for the second child and NT$7,000 (US$221) for the third child. We also increased monthly child care subsidies to up to NT$8,500 (US$268), capped monthly tuition fees at NT$3,000 (US$95) for children attending public or quasi-public preschools, and raised available enrollment slots to a total of 560,000 at affordable child care facilities and preschools. The government has promoted three major school environment programs to close the resource gap between urban and rural areas. First, we provided funding of over NT$32 billion (US$1.1 billion) to install air conditioning in every classroom, with activation in over 3,500 schools nationwide by the end of this past April. Second, this month we officially launched a centralized kitchen program to deliver piping hot lunches right on time for remote schools. The government has built or expanded 123 central kitchens, established a joint food procurement mechanism, and increased the subsidy rewards for school lunches that use ingredients certified for quality, traceability and organic farming. This program enables 240,000 children at over 1,300 rural schools to enjoy high-quality meals on par with their urban peers.  Third, the government has devoted funding of over NT$35 billion (US$1.1 billion) to provide internet access for every classroom and tablet access for every student to keep pace with the trend toward digital learning. This program has set up over 60,000 smart classrooms and supplied one tablet computer to every student attending a rural school in time for the start of the school semester this month.  In the five years since the government began promoting Long-term Care Plan 2.0, the allocated budget has gradually increased from less than NT$5 billion (US$157.9 million) in 2016 to over NT$60 billion (US$1.9 billion) this year, with almost NT$65 billion (US$2 billion) allocated for next year. The number of service sites has increased dramatically from just over 700 to more than 11,000, as has the number of care personnel from 25,000 to over 90,000, and the number of beneficiaries from 100,000 to over 410,000. In response to the overall aging of Taiwan’s population, last week we also proposed countermeasures to address a super-aged society with a planned investment of more than NT$120 billion (US$3.8 billion) over four years, which will promote innovative initiatives such as a plan to integrate hospitalization and care under national health insurance, as well as set up a national-level research center for geriatric medicine, health and well-being. The government is actively promoting the construction of social housing and a subleasing and management program that currently includes over 110,000 units. We are also continuing to expand rent subsidies. In July the central government launched an NT$30 billion (US$4947.4 million) expanded rent subsidy program, the largest such program in history. Over the past few years the government has established three insurance schemes and a pension scheme to benefit farmers and fishermen; implemented a rice insurance program beginning from this year’s first crop, providing rice farmers with a basic guarantee and stabilizing their incomes; and invested NT$40 billion (US$1.3 billion) to continue implementing the second stage of the Green Environmental Payment Program, spurring structural adjustments to the agriculture industry and ensuring food security. Beginning this year the government will invest NT$9.2 billion (US$290.5 million) over four years to implement a program to mechanize and modernize agriculture while also promoting a nationwide cold chain program to raise the overall competitiveness of the nation’s agricultural industries.     The Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act, which combines occupational accident protection, compensation and rehabilitation, entered into force on May 1 this year, providing more comprehensive safeguards and work reinstatement requirements when occupational accidents occur. The government is dedicated to eliminating gender-based violence. On June 1 this year, the Stalking and Harassment Prevention Act became effective, providing victims with more comprehensive protections. In March, we also proposed amendments to four laws to strengthen protections against gender-based violent crimes, and sent them to the Legislature for deliberation.  Taiwan is in a seismically active zone. Since President Tsai took office, the government has already invested nearly NT$53 billion (US$1.7 billion) to demolish, rebuild and seismically retrofit over 4,200 school buildings, spent more than NT$26 billion (US$821.1 million) to seismically retrofit or rebuild provincial highways and bridges, and helped county and city governments accelerate renovation on aging bridges, making improvements to over 300 bridges. Protecting Taiwan Taiwan is an indispensable force for good in the international community and an important component in the international security system. Japan’s former prime minister Abe Shinzo once said that Taiwan's emergency is Japan's emergency, and therefore an emergency for the Japan-U.S. alliance. Security in the Taiwan Strait is the common denominator of regional peace and prosperity. We will do everything we can to strengthen our self-defense capabilities. The government has allocated a record high of over NT$580 billion (US$18.3 billion) for next year’s national defense budget, reflecting our determination to defend our national sovereignty and ensure national security. We are continuing our efforts to produce aircraft and naval vessels domestically, and have already taken delivery of six Brave Eagle advanced jet trainers and proceeded to the mass production stage. At the end of this month the ROC Navy will take delivery of its first 10,000-ton class landing platform dock with anti-aircraft missile capabilities, the Yushan, and will take delivery of five corvettes meeting Ta Chiang model specifications next year. In addition to domestically produced defensive weapons, the ROC Armed Forces have also strengthened combat capabilities through military arms purchases from the U.S. including 66 F-16V C/D Block 70 fighter jets and upgrades to 141 F-16 A/B Block 20 fighter jets, as well as plans to acquire precision strike systems including MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles, Sidewinder missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles. We are extremely grateful to the Biden administration, which has approved six arms sales to Taiwan since taking office, boosting the nation’s overall defensive combat capabilities.  Thanks to our nation’s commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights, our indispensable role in international supply chains, and our key position in regional security, more and more countries and international organizations are expressing staunch support for Taiwan through concrete action.  The Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania, the first representative office in Europe to bear the name “Taiwan,” began formal operations in November last year, and Lithuania’s trade office in Taiwan began operations this month. On September 14 the German government formally passed its 2022 progress report on the implementation of its policy guidelines on the Indo-Pacific region. The report mentioned Taiwan for the first time, clearly expressing concern about peace and security in the Taiwan Strait as well as opposition to any change in the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by other than peaceful means.        On September 15 European Parliament (EP) members from a wide spectrum of political parties overwhelmingly passed a resolution on the situation in the Taiwan Strait, strongly condemning China’s irresponsible military provocations and reiterating opposition to any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait or threat of force. The resolution also underlines that on the democratic island of Taiwan, it is up to the people to decide how they want to live, and clearly states that the EP will continue to strengthen reciprocal visits and interaction with Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan. That was the eighth Taiwan-friendly resolution passed by the EP this year, and the twenty-first since last year. The latest resolution followed the first-ever Taiwan-EU political relations and cooperation report passed by the EP in October of 2021, and reiterates suggestions to strengthen bilateral Taiwan-EU relations including deepening institutionalized cooperation in economics, trade, culture and politics, and encouraging EU member states who have yet to set up representative offices in Taiwan to follow in Lithuania’s footsteps and do so.  In June the Japanese government passed its 2022 Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform, which mentioned Taiwan for the first time and emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In August a joint statement was issued by the G7 foreign ministers, followed by a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the U.S., Australia and Japan, both expressing concern about actions taken by China that undermine the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and reiterating their commitment to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Over the past year the U.S., Japan, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the EP have all sent heavyweight delegations to Taiwan, with the French Parliament sending four delegations and the U.S. Congress sending nine delegations including 39 congresspeople on a succession of visits. In July, EP Vice President Nicola Beer led the EP’s first high-ranking delegation to visit Taiwan. In August, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi became the first house speaker to visit Taiwan in 25 years. Democracy is Taiwan’s greatest strength, and human rights are our common language with the world. Although Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, the government has taken the initiative to commit to the obligations laid out in international human rights conventions. This year we have already completed international reviews of our national reports on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. International reviews of our reports regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women will follow.  In May the Cabinet approved the Action Plan for Fisheries and Human Rights and the National Human Rights Action Plan, the first such plans in Taiwan. The government will promote each rights initiative based on the criteria of the UN’s nine major human rights covenants and the principles of the National Human Rights Action Plan. Resilient Taiwan: Forward together To address an ever-changing world, we will continue to do our utmost to build strong self-defense capabilities, uphold democracy and human rights, safeguard our free way of life, forge connections with the global community, deepen cooperation and exchanges with democratic partners worldwide, and provide mutual assistance for mutual benefit so that Taiwan can continue to shine on the international stage and take our rightful place in the world. Thank you.   <上版日期>111-09-27 <更新日期>113-01-29 <發布日期>111-10-11 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/6c9da42d-8c72-4c36-a5da-2be4b4b55b36 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 5th session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: Last year, the shadow of COVID-19 continued to loom over the world, with the number of confirmed cases topping 420 million and deaths reaching 5.9 million. The emergence of new variants with greater transmissibility led many countries to experience a resurgence that broke record highs. The global economy and people’s lives have all been dealt a heavy blow.  Nevertheless, through the unified efforts of our people, Taiwan has produced exceptional results, not only keeping the pandemic at bay, but also bucking the global trend by the outstanding growth of our economy. Last year, our economic growth rate was 6.45%, the highest in 11 years. The World Economic Outlook database published last October by the International Monetary Fund predicts that we will regain our place among the world’s top 20 economies by 2023. Taiwan has just earned its best rankings ever in a series of global indexes published in recent months. In the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index published January 25 by Transparency International, Taiwan placed No. 25 out of 180 countries. This is our highest rank ever since the index began in 1995.  In the Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index published February 4 by Nikkei Asia, Taiwan’s performance was ranked No. 1 globally. In the 2021 Democracy Index published February 10 by the U.K.-based Economist Intelligence Unit, out of 167 countries surveyed, Taiwan not only achieved the top category of “full democracy” for the second year in a row, it also improved its ranking to No. 8 globally and No. 1 in Asia. In the 2022 Index of Economic Freedom published February 14 by Washington D.C. think tank The Heritage Foundation, Taiwan placed in the category of “economically free countries” for the first time. Out of 184 countries listed, only seven reached this top category, with Taiwan ranking No. 6, and furthermore being the only such country with a population over 20 million. The report also praised Taiwan for being one of the few countries in the world to have experienced continuous economic growth during the past five years. Last year, our people voted on four referendums, the results of which demonstrated how Taiwan is a mature civil society. Once our issues were resolved through democratic mechanisms, our society quickly resumed its peaceful state.  In this new year, we will face trials and challenges from the constantly changing circumstances of the pandemic and other international issues. Nonetheless, we will seek opportunities in the restructured global supply chain to increase our industrial competitiveness and make our economy prosper. We will seize this moment at the height of Taiwan’s international visibility to bravely stride onto the world stage and initiate closer economic and trade relationships. We will also accelerate construction of forward-looking infrastructure, expand social care systems, and provide more welfare benefits for our fellow citizens to create a more stable society. We must also prepare our defense forces, exerting our utmost effort to resist military intimidation, protect our national sovereignty, and safeguard the free and democratic constitutional institutions that we have worked so hard to achieve.  Please allow me now to deliver my policy report centered on the three themes of prospering the economy, striding onto the world stage and supporting the people’s well-being. Prospering the economy Protection from the pandemic means production for the economy. Over the past year, we’ve been continuously consolidating medical supplies, raising vaccination rates, strictly maintaining border controls and community precautions, and reviewing and improving various safety measures. This has prepared us to confront repeated surges of the Omicron variant that first broke out in January. In addition, despite an increase in travel across the island during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, our domestic cases remain stable and under control.  Regarding vaccination, nearly 83% of our population have received at least one dose of vaccine, over 76% have received two doses, and about 40% have received a booster shot. We have also purchased a total of 25,000 courses of oral antiviral medicine from Pfizer and Merck. The first batches of medicine from both companies have already arrived in January. Taiwan is the first country in Asia to have two kinds of oral antiviral medicine at the ready.  Taiwan’s pandemic situation is relatively stable, and our vaccine coverage is quite high. Plus, the vast majority of domestic cases have shown mild symptoms or no symptoms and our medicine supplies are fully stocked. Therefore, moving forward, we will flexibly update our COVID policy to build a new “Taiwan model” that balances pandemic safety with economic growth. While continuing to be tough on the pandemic, the policy will create the smallest disruption to people’s lives with the largest effect on stopping COVID. Our goal is to ensure that industries will produce as normal, society will operate as normal, and we’ll maintain the momentum of our economic growth. In 2020, not only was our economic growth rate the highest among the Four Asian Tigers, but we were also the only one among the world’s major economies to post positive growth. In 2021, our economic growth rate rose to its highest in 11 years, and our GDP per capita also surpassed US$30,000 for the first time.  In the area of foreign trade, our last year’s total export values and export orders exceeded US$446 billion and US$670 billion respectively, both historic highs, marking 19 and 23 consecutive months of positive growth.  Regarding investment, last year our public construction budget implementation rate reached a 14-year high, and domestic investment as a percentage of GDP reached a 21-year high. Regarding consumption, as of January of this year, the turnover in the wholesale, retail and food service sectors had also sustained several consecutive months of growth. We have also made great progress promoting the Three Major Programs for Investing in Taiwan. Total approved investment in the past three years has already surpassed NT$1.65 trillion (US$58.7 billion), attracting investment from over 1,100 businesses. This has spurred higher investment by supply chain businesses and created over 130,000 job opportunities. In response to continuing changes in the global market and investment environments, the Executive Yuan has greenlighted a three-year extension of the Three Major Programs, which is forecast to attract close to NT$1 trillion (US$35.6 billion) of additional investment.  In order to further secure Taiwan’s key position in the global semiconductor supply chain, as well as to meet the overall demands of the industry’s future development, the government is now working with the private sector to develop a comprehensive western tech corridor. Over the past two years, the Executive Yuan has greenlighted construction of a series of new science parks, such as Kaohsiung’s Qiaotou Science Park, the Hsinchu Science Park X and science parks in Chiayi and Pingtung. We also approved the third phase expansion of the Southern Taiwan Science Park’s Tainan location, the second phase expansion of the Hsinchu Science Park’s Baoshan Township location and the second phase expansion of the Central Taiwan Science Park's Taichung location. Last year’s revenue for Taiwan’s three major science parks is estimated to have reached a record-breaking high, exceeding NT$3.5 trillion (US$124.9 billion). We have also upgraded export processing zones into “technology industrial parks” and opened them up for new development, including the second phase expansion of the Kaohsiung Software Park and the expansion of the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park, as well as the renewal and renovation of the Cianjhen Technology Industrial Park and the Tanzi Technology Industrial Park. We are also helping businesses undergo digital transformation and introducing technologies related to the “5G artificial intelligence of things.” The total revenue for technology industrial parks last year exceeded NT$460 billion (US$16.4 billion) for the first time, another record-breaking high.  The government also places great importance on upgrading the farming, fishery and livestock industries. An investment of NT$12.6 billion (US$448.2 million) has been approved for the establishment of a nationwide cold chain system. It will encompass the transportation of agricultural, aquatic and livestock products in an uninterrupted cold supply chain from production sites to storehouses to markets to stores, all the way to the hands of consumers. This will bolster the development and competitive strength of Taiwan’s agricultural industries, bringing revolutionary change as well as greater profits for farmers.  To ensure the cultivation of high-level talent, we are using a public-private cooperation model involving industries, government and academia to steadily foster the local talent required by our nation’s key industries. Several top universities have worked with private corporations in Taiwan to set up colleges for the study of semiconductor technology and international finance, which have been enrolling students since the end of last year. In addition, through the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, we are increasing incentives for outstanding international talent to come to, and stay in, Taiwan to meet the recruitment needs of our key industries.  Concerning the augmentation of mid-level skilled talent, the Executive Yuan approved a new program two weeks ago to raise incentives for long-term retention of migrant workers. This will motivate the accomplished and technically skilled foreign talent who have already worked in Taiwan for many years, as well as the foreign students and overseas compatriot students who have received education here, to stay and contribute to Taiwan.  In the World Talent Ranking 2021 published last December by Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development, Taiwan ranked No. 16, our best performance in 10 years. Striding onto the world stage Over the past year, Taiwan’s visibility on the international stage has reached a historic high. In Asia, Europe, the Americas and Australia, countries have passed resolutions of friendship and support, or used legislative diplomacy to deepen exchange and express support for our participation in the international community.  Last year, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives sent bipartisan delegations three times to visit Taiwan. Delegations from the EU Parliament, three Baltic state parliaments, and the French Senate and National Assembly also visited during October to December of last year. “Taiwan’s fate will determine the future of the world,” said a member of one of the delegations I received. Although they came from different countries, all of them expressed admiration at how Taiwan is still able to use democratic methods to contain the pandemic, combat disinformation and supply important materials to meet international needs, all despite China’s forceful intimidation. This is also a reason why nations wish to befriend Taiwan and learn lessons from us.  Last year, the EU Parliament and parliaments of multiple European nations passed a total of 26 pro-Taiwan resolutions, representing a new peak of friendly support. On February 10, the Australian parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade issued a report expressing support for Taiwan to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). On the same day, the United Kingdom’s House of Commons approved a motion across party lines, calling on the U.K. government to strengthen the Taiwan-U.K. trade relationship and deepen security cooperation. The following day, the U.S. government released an Indo-Pacific Strategy report stating that it will work with regional partners to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, including by supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. On February 17, the U.K. and Australian prime ministers issued a joint statement after a virtual summit, once more calling for stability across the Taiwan Strait and expressing support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Despite China’s unrelenting oppression, the Taiwanese Representative Office began operation in Lithuania on November 18, 2021, the first office in Europe to be called “Taiwanese.” This was a hard-won and significant diplomatic achievement. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen substantive cooperative relations with Taiwan-friendly nations and demonstrate how resilient our free and democratic partnerships are when we work together.  In order to bolster regional trade relationships, Taiwan resumed the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks with the U.S. last June after a five-year hiatus. On September 22, 2021, Taiwan officially applied to join the CPTPP. The government is currently adjusting regulations and systems and planning supporting measures, putting forth our full effort to actively win over the support of member nations. Regarding Japanese food imports from Fukushima and its four neighboring prefectures, China and Taiwan were the only nations in the world that still maintained an import ban as of the end of last year. All CPTPP member nations had already lifted their restrictions and we could not ignore these international standards. Through last year’s referendum, Taiwan declared to the world our willingness to align with global norms and demonstrated our determination to gain entry to high-standard international economic and trade blocs. The referendum also showed that the government’s policies on food safety won the support of the majority of citizens. Over the past decade, the government has conducted stringent testing on 180,000 Japanese food import items, all of which passed radiation residue tests. We’ve also completed six risk-assessment reports and investigations and confirmed that the maximum exposure levels were all lower than standards set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.  Our government will never allow imports of radiation-contaminated food and our commitment to food safety is non-negotiable. Mindful of the nation’s health, on February 8 we announced reasonable adjustments to our 11-year long ban on Japanese food products and proposed new safety regulations for importing food from Fukushima and its four neighboring prefectures. We will adhere to three principles—returning to scientific inspection, adopting stricter regulation than international standards and ensuring food safety—and three complementary measures—shifting import bans from specific regions to specific products, requiring proof of radiation testing and proof of origin for at-risk products, and conducting batch-by-batch border inspections of all food products from the five at-risk prefectures. The related control measures have already been announced with effect on February 21.  Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that Taiwan has crossed a major hurdle to joining the CPTPP by lifting the Japanese food import ban in a reasonable and safe manner. Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Mitsuo Ohashi also said this decision will help deepen economic relations between our two sides, and has recommended that Japan revive its Economic Partnership Committee talks with Taiwan after an eight-year hiatus. Meanwhile, many CPTPP members have welcomed Taiwan’s bid to join the trade agreement. To strengthen Taiwan’s economic and trade presence in Europe, last October the government organized an economic and trade investment delegation to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Lithuania, where they reached agreements on cooperative projects covering a broad range of topics including semiconductor talent training, the automobile industry, chip design, tourism, financial technology, economics and trade, and taxation. Two months later, Slovakia sent its largest and highest-level delegation to Taiwan in 20 years, and convened the first deputy-ministerial level economic and trade meeting with Taiwan. A meeting of the Taiwanese-Slovak Commission on Economic Cooperation was also held to discuss economic and trade investments, industrial connections and other topics, paving the way for stronger bilateral cooperation. The government will also propose a project to strengthen links with Europe. Based on our increasingly close friendship, we will further develop Taiwan-Europe collaboration in various fields by integrating resources across ministries and agencies. Last year was also our best-performing year under the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan’s export value to the 18 countries targeted by the policy exceeded US$82.6 billion, which is the highest ever and represents a 35% jump over the previous year.   In the area of national defense, we’ve seen many breakthroughs in efforts for domestic production of aircraft and vessels. The Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer successfully made its maiden flight and was delivered to our military at the end of last year. We expect to take delivery of eight more new advanced jet trainers by the end of this December. In domestic shipbuilding, a customs patrol vessel will soon set sail, while the Coast Guard’s second 4,000-metric ton patrol vessel will also be delivered, significantly increasing our ability to monitor our waters. In January President Tsai also witnessed the commissioning of the Navy’s first minelaying squadrons, which will help defend the waters around Taiwan. Regarding Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, Taiwan’s situation differs from Ukraine’s in terms of geostrategic factors, geographical environment, and importance in the international supply chain. Nonetheless, to prevent foreign forces from exploiting Ukraine’s situation to conduct cognitive warfare on Taiwan and undermining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, our government will vigorously combat disinformation and strengthen our responses to stabilize society and public morale. Our military will raise their surveillance and early warning of military developments around the Taiwan Strait in order to respond swiftly to any contingencies.  Faced with changing developments from hostile forces, the Ministry of National Defense also established the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency with operations beginning January 1 this year. Supporting the people’s well-being The COVID-19 pandemic, international oil price fluctuations, global raw material supply issues, and shipping and transport problems are all contributing to a rise in global inflation. And since Taiwan is mostly reliant on imports for energy and general resources, prices in Taiwan are also seeing fluctuations. In response, the government is making an all-out effort to boost the economy, create more benefits for the people and ease financial burdens. At the same time, we are keeping a close eye on inflation and stabilizing prices, using all means possible to lower the impact on people’s livelihoods and the economy.  The government will continue to share the fruits of economic growth with all the people by increasing wages and cutting taxes for everyone. We raised the labor force’s minimum wage for six years in a row, with a 5.21% hike in the minimum wage this January—the highest rate increase in 15 years. Public-sector employees also received a 4% salary raise this year, which is the highest hike in 25 years. In tax reduction, we’ve raised the basic living expense allowance for income tax purposes for five consecutive years, with 2021 seeing the highest increase in history. To stabilize commodity prices, the government is using anti-inflation mechanisms to keep water, electricity, oil and gas prices steady. Since February 7, the government has waived or reduced tax burdens on certain raw materials, such as by waiving business taxes on soybeans, wheat and corn, and halving import tariffs on butter and baking-purpose milk powder. These measures will lighten the burden on livestock farmers and food and beverage businesses by easing up pressure on prices for animal feed and food ingredients. Additionally, commodity taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel have been lowered twice, and various tax-reduction measures approved last December were extended to this April, including measures to halve cement commodity taxes, halve beef tariffs and waive wheat tariffs, all of which are expected to mitigate the impact on price fluctuations.  The Ministry of Economic Affairs is coordinating with businesses to set up “anti-inflation sections” in supermarkets where everyday products are sold at fair prices. The government has also designated that industrial raw materials be used to meet domestic demand first, and will closely watch and investigate those who take the opportunity to drive up prices. In response to the short, medium and long-term impacts that the Ukraine situation will have on stock and forex markets as well as prices of energy, food and commodities in Taiwan and abroad, the Executive Yuan is paying close attention to global economic and trade variables, strengthening overall response planning, and maintaining stability in key materials, commodity prices and financial markets to minimize all possible impacts.  Over the past two years, we’ve not only held the coronavirus at bay but also made remarkable strides in containing other key transmissible diseases. As examples, we’ve had no cases of severe complications or deaths from influenza from last year’s season until now; no cases of severe complications or deaths from enteroviruses last year; zero domestic transmissions of dengue fever last year; and zero cases of measles for two consecutive years. These were all hard-earned achievements. To ensure each generation of Taiwan is stronger than the last, the government’s childrearing support spans from birth to education, and from homes to schools. Last July we expanded fertility treatment subsidies, and increased stipends for parental leave without pay from 60% to 80% of salaries, allowing both parents to apply at the same time. This year we raised up to seven the number of leave days to undergo prenatal exams and to accompany a spouse to prenatal exams and birth. Starting August, childrearing subsidies will be increased from NT$3,500 to NT$5,000 (US$125 to US$178), while public and quasi-public preschool fees will be lowered further. In addition, the Executive Yuan devoted more than NT$32 billion (US$1.1 billion) to install over 181,900 new air conditioners in more than 3,300 elementary and junior high schools across the country in just a year and a half, fulfilling our goal of having air conditioning in every classroom. In January, all air conditioning installations and electrical facility upgrades were completed ahead of schedule. Aside from planting native species trees in schools across the nation, we are installing rooftop solar panels to achieve power generation at every school. The electrical power generated in this way will reach an annual total of 410 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to about 1.6 times the 260 million kWh needed to power the new air conditioners. Schools will not only become self-sufficient, but can sell the excess 150 million kWh of energy to create a steady income stream for themselves. This September, we will finish implementing a system of central kitchens to support smaller schools, and deliver piping hot lunches right on time. We’ll coordinate the necessary manpower such as kitchen workers and nutritionists, and carefully plan the food delivery process—including having cold chain vehicles and temperature-controlled vehicles deliver fresh ingredients and lunches to schools—so that children everywhere can eat well and enjoy the same quality lunches. To close the learning gap between rural and urban areas, we also invested NT$20 billion (US$711.4 million) in our effort to provide internet access for every classroom and tablet computer access for every student by September.  To strengthen the social safety net, the government will devote more than NT$40 billion (US$1.4 billion) under a five-year plan to hire an additional nearly 10,000 social workers and other professional service providers. We’ve also proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act to emphasize cross-departmental promotion of mental health. We hope that when patients are transferred from mental health care institutions to communities, or from public health units to other departments, no one will slip through the cracks of our social safety net. The government will also subsidize hospitals in the establishment of forensic psychiatric wards to properly treat mental patients sentenced to rehabilitation or custody. In terms of the number of traffic accident deaths each year, Taiwan still has much room for improvement. The government takes this issue extremely seriously and has stepped up a number of measures, including: making improvements to dangerous intersections, road sections, and hazardous road sections around schools; expanding more public bus routes to enter school campuses; requiring food delivery companies to adopt food delivery hazard prevention plans that meet higher standards to prevent traffic accidents for delivery personnel; enhancing law enforcement technologies to crack down on illegal behavior; and prosecuting all drunk drivers swiftly and to the full extent of the law. Governing steadily, uniting Taiwan and striding proudly ahead Amid the hardships of the global pandemic and the threat of aggression from a powerful enemy over the past year, we have governed steadily, worked hard to control COVID, boosted the economy, and defended our national sovereignty and the safety of our people. We’ve provided a peaceful living environment for the people with an even freer democracy. Not only does our nation enjoy robust fiscal health so that we’re able to increase people’s wages, reduce taxes, create benefits, and provide more and better care, we’ve also maintained strict adherence to fiscal discipline: The central government’s general budget has run a surplus for five years straight—with four consecutive years recording a surplus of over NT$100 billion (US$3.6 billion)—and the debt repayment amount has reached NT$120 billion (US$4.3 billion). All of these figures represent 20-year highs. Faced with a once-in-a-century pandemic, the people of this nation believed in our administration, complied with disease-prevention protocols, and worked together to achieve outstanding outcomes, and to them I am truly grateful. The people are the reason why so many countries applaud and support Taiwan, and the reason we can hold our head up high in the world. As long as we stand firm in our convictions, cooperate in solidarity, and build up our own strengths and ingenuity, we can overcome any difficulties or hardships with courage. The challenges of the future are still daunting as ever. We must safeguard our nation, stabilize the pandemic situation, protect the people’s health, and boost livelihoods and industrial production capacities. We must devise strategies to grow the economy and bolster our competitiveness to ensure Taiwan maintains a key position in the global industrial chain. As we boldly expand our international economic and trade presence, we will stride forward into the world and continue to shine brightly on the global stage.  Thank you!   <上版日期>111-03-04 <更新日期>113-01-29 <發布日期>111-03-22 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/181d9b56-333b-4e5d-b783-42e969d40af3 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 4th session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: In 2020 while the world endured one of its worst crises in recent memory, Taiwan put out one of its best performances. This year as we continue to confront a raft of challenges at home and abroad, we’ll to do our utmost to create a better and brighter Taiwan. Please allow me now to deliver my policy report centered on the four themes of national security, social welfare, peace of mind, and sustainable development.  National security Recently, Chinese military aircraft have persisted in harassing the space around Taiwan and imperiling peace and security in the wider region. Our military will continue to respond and chase away these intruders in a demonstration of our unstinting resolve to defend the country. This May, U.K.-based magazine The Economist published an issue covered with a radar chart of Taiwan and called it “the most dangerous place on Earth.” This once again underscores China’s ambitions and threats toward Taiwan. Taiwan’s only option is to prove how determined we are in defending our nation and endeavor even harder to make ourselves stronger and more united. To enhance our military’s combat capabilities, we will raise the nation’s overall defense budget for next year to its highest level ever at over NT$470 billion (US$16.9 billion). Two weeks ago on September 16, the Executive Yuan also forwarded to the Legislature a special draft bill to procure NT$240 billion (US$8.6 billion) worth of arms over five years to enhance our air and sea combat ability. We implore your support for passage of this legislation. As part of the nation’s indigenous shipbuilding program, the Ta Chiang naval warship was officially commissioned on September 9, while in April the Yushan warship set sail and the Chiayi coast guard ship was delivered, all of which added combat power for defending our territorial waters. Additionally, we’ll be upgrading all 141 of our F-16A/B Block fighter jets to the F-16V version by the end of 2023. The first F-16V combat wing is slated to be commissioned into the military in November, boosting our air defense barriers.  In response to the growth in enemy threats and natural disasters, on January 1 next year we will establish an All-out Defense Mobilization Agency under the Ministry of National Defense to coordinate the nation’s resources for supporting military operations and disaster prevention missions. This will provide for seamless integration between peacetime and wartime. Taiwan’s insistence on the values of freedom and democracy makes it indispensable to the collective security and prosperity of the global community. This May, the French Senate overwhelmingly passed a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in the activities of international organizations. On June 11 Japan’s House of Councillors also passed, with the entire body standing in unanimous vote, a resolution supporting Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), stating that Taiwan’s absence from the WHA is a loss to global efforts to prevent transmittable diseases. Two days later, the Group of Seven industrialized nations at a summit issued a communique highlighting for the first time the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Early this September, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs approved by a high margin a report titled EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation. This marks the first time that the European Parliament has taken the initiative to deepen the friendship between Taiwan and the EU and codify it in an official document. The European Parliament expressed concern over China’s military threats to Taiwan, calling on the EU to actively maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, bolster Taiwan’s democracy, and make Taiwan an important partner in the EU’s Indo-Pacific cooperation strategy. To improve political relations with Taiwan, the report also recommended making preparations to negotiate a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan, encouraging official exchanges at the most senior levels, and changing the name of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan to reflect the broad scope of our ties.  On September 14, the Swiss parliament’s lower house overwhelmingly passed a motion to improve relations with Taiwan, 14 years since the Swiss parliament last passed Taiwan-friendly legislation. Two days following, the European Union issued a joint communique on the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which mentioned Taiwan five times, including for strengthening resilience of the semiconductor supply chain and deepening trade and investment relations. The communique even referred to Taiwan as a “partner.” In late June after a hiatus of five years, Taiwan and the U.S. resumed talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). The launch of TIFA talks signifies that cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. will expand to cover more topics, which in turn will drive negotiations for the signing of a bilateral trade agreement.  In July, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) officially began operations at its office in Taiwan. Taiwan was the first country in which CABEI established an office outside of Central America, and it marked the first time an international economic organization established a branch institute in Taiwan. The Bank also called Taiwan by its official name, emphasizing Taiwan’s sovereign status and helping us develop stronger cooperative relations with allied countries in Central America. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, Taiwan has donated millions of face masks around the world and made pragmatic contributions to the global pandemic response, kicking off a virtuous cycle of friendship and assistance that has seen other countries gift more than 7 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan this year. Our close friend and neighbor Japan has to date donated more than 3.9 million doses to Taiwan. The U.S. government, as well, dispatched a bipartisan congressional delegation by military aircraft to Taiwan to announce a donation of 750,000 doses, which later ballooned to 2.5 million doses on actual arrival.  Democratic partners in Central and Eastern Europe—from Lithuania and Slovakia to the Czech Republic and Poland (which donated 400,000 vaccine doses in one fell swoop)—have extended a helping hand to Taiwan at a time when the world suffers from a sharp vaccine shortage. Their friendship and mutual support have warmed the hearts of the Taiwanese people in a true demonstration of the saying, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” Among these countries, Lithuania, which just two days ago announced an additional donation of 230,000-plus vaccine doses, will set up a representative office in Taiwan before year’s end, and Taiwan likewise will set up a representative office in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. This will be Taiwan’s first such office to be set up in Europe in 18 years, as well as the first in Europe to bear the name “Taiwan.” Virtue does not stand alone and he who practices it will have good neighbors. As long as Taiwan continues to uphold its beliefs and defend universal values, we will receive the recognition and backing of the world community. Taiwan will also vigorously expand our pragmatic relationships with like-minded democracies, continue to act as a force for good, and contribute to the world’s causes. Social welfare The government has launched the largest social welfare program in Taiwan’s history. Within next year’s central government budget, we’ve earmarked more than NT$600 billion (US$21.6 billion) in social welfare spending to take care of everyone from young to old. To encourage people to raise families, we’ve set aside over NT$86 billion (US$3.1 billion) in next year’s child care budget, an amount nearly six times the budget of 2016. Child care subsidies were increased to NT$3,500 (US$126) per month per child this August and will be raised again to NT$5,000 (US$180) August next year. To help couples who want to have children, we’re providing support beginning from conception and pregnancy. Starting this July, we’ve increased subsidies for infertility treatments and prenatal examinations, as well as subsidies to employers for prenatal exam leave pay, and stipends for parental leave without pay. We’ve also amended laws to expand benefits allowing both parents to apply for simultaneous parental leave without pay, and request stipends during that period. The number of days leave permitted for prenatal examinations have also been increased. By next March, we expect to reach our goal of air conditioning in every classroom and power generation at every school. This January, lunch ingredient subsidies were also raised at schools nationwide to give remote-area students the same rights to healthy school lunches as their city counterparts. In April we increased subsidies for lunch ingredients at remote schools and introduced a central kitchen policy: central kitchens will be built or expanded and a collective ingredient procurement mechanism established so that most of the meal subsidies can actually be spent on food, allowing freshly cooked nutritious lunches to be served to school children in remote areas. To lend greater support to families requiring long-term care, we’ve increased next year’s long-term care budget to more than NT$60 billion (US$2.2 billion), which is all of 12 times the amount in 2016. The Long-term Care Services Act has also been amended to allow private universities that have departments of long-term care to establish long-term care institutions on school grounds, which will integrate training and use, nurture talent, and promote the development of long-term care resources.  This July, we approved the second phase of a social safety net strengthening program that will invest more than NT$40 billion (US$1.4 billion) over five years. By adding nearly 10,000 public and private service workers, increasing social worker salaries, encouraging long-term employment and strengthening cross-network transfers, we hope to catch and help every vulnerable person on the margins of the system. This January we finished setting up four welfare systems for agricultural workers, which include three insurance schemes and one pension system. On September 10, the government officially incorporated occupational disease into the scope of farmers occupational accident insurance benefits, allowing long-time, hardworking farmers who sustain occupational diseases to receive economic compensation as well. On May 1 next year, the Labor Occupational Accident Insurance and Protection Act will come into effect to provide workers with protection from the first day on the job. The government not only guarantees benefits but will also raise benefits across the board, providing a complete occupational accident protection system that covers accident prevention, insurance assistance, and assistance returning to the workplace. Peace of mind The COVID-19 pandemic has so far led to over 230 million confirmed cases and more than 4.7 million deaths globally. As mutant strains of the virus continue to surface, many countries have experienced recurring waves of outbreaks. Taiwan also experienced an outbreak that at its peak in late May saw 600 to 700 daily new cases. But in just 90 short days, the nation curtailed the daily cases to the single digits, and even had days with zero new cases. In July and August, the U.K. newspaper The Guardian and the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, lauded Taiwan for a second success in subduing the coronavirus, and called the island’s ability to keep the pandemic out of the community a global success story. We owe this achievement to the collective work of our people toward fighting the coronavirus. As for the vaccine rollout, thanks to the joint efforts of the public and private sectors, Taiwan has obtained over 18 million doses from procurements and donations. In just four short months, Taiwan’s vaccination coverage rate jumped from less than 1 percent to 50 percent. Going forward we will accelerate the rollout of both first and second doses to reach the target of having 70 percent of the population receive a first jab by the end of October. We will also continue to implement strict border checks, closely monitor and control community outbreaks, and speed up vaccinations, in order to safeguard the nation’s health. Over the past two-plus years, African swine fever has swept through 14 countries neighboring China while Taiwan has succeeded in its arduous defense against the outbreak. Although illegally smuggled meat products containing the virus were found in local markets in late August, the Council of Agriculture, law enforcement and immigration authorities were able to trace the sources and prevent the spread. The government also launched an array of tougher preventive measures, including immediate checks on all postal packages coming from high-risk regions. To stop the virus from entering pig farms, the practice of feeding food scraps to pigs has been suspended from September onward. After nearly a month of tracking and monitoring domestic hogs, I am pleased to report that the risks have been brought under control.  To improve meat safety and provide better support for hog farmers, the government has earmarked a hog industry fund of approximately NT$13 billion (US$467.9 million) over four years, which will upgrade farm facilities, transportation vehicles, slaughterhouses, cold chains, and meat vendor temperature control facilities. We will continue with needed measures to protect Taiwan’s pig farming industry and citizens’ health. If Taiwan is to achieve robust economic growth and stronger foreign trade, it cannot do so in isolation from the world. As such, we officially submitted an application Wednesday (September 22) to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, marking Taiwan’s first step toward participation in the regional trade bloc. Taiwan is an advanced economy that plays an irreplaceable role in the global high-tech industrial supply chain. It also has the ability and the willingness to respect the global marketplace's high standards. The government will continue with all preparatory work as well as proactively seek member countries’ support, in order to expand Taiwan’s exports, attract more overseas investment, and promote overall competitiveness. It is also our objective to make tangible contributions to the regional economy and create an all-around win for everyone. Although domestic demand-oriented industries were hard hit by this year’s coronavirus outbreaks, the past two years have seen more than NT$320 billion (US$11.5 billion) in overseas funds repatriated to Taiwan. The three programs to boost investment in Taiwan have meanwhile attracted over NT$1.34 trillion (US$48.2 billion) in new investment. These results have driven 14 consecutive months of positive growth in export value and 18 consecutive months of increase in export orders. We may well achieve an 11-year high in economic growth rate this year. We now are also rolling out Quintuple Stimulus Vouchers, which, hopefully as the COVID situation stabilizes, will promote broad spending to spur domestic demand industries. To ensure that all members of the public can share the fruits of the nation’s economic growth, the government has increased the basic living expense allowance per person for income tax purposes for four consecutive years, as well as raised the minimum wage five years in a row. Our goal for the minimum wage is to achieve the maximum benefits for workers while taking into account both the needs of employers and employees. As for the public sector, the government will also take into consideration all objective factors and adjust civil service pay accordingly in a timely manner. This recognizes the hard work and dedication of public sector workers with the hope that the private sector will follow suit with pay raises as well. Sustainable development Facing increasingly severe challenges of extreme weather and new diseases, the government is actively engaged in long-term planning related to important energy resources and strategic materials. On the issue of climate change, Taiwan will not be absent. On Earth Day this April, President Tsai Ing-wen announced that Taiwan will move from a policy of energy transformation to net-zero transformation. At the end of last month, I also announced at a meeting of the National Council for Sustainable Development that the government will accelerate the amendment of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act into a climate change response act, with the inclusion of a net-zero emissions by 2050 provision. We will also carefully evaluate issues such as the carbon pricing system and dedicated funds for climate change improvement, build social consensus, and seek the best path to transform carbon reduction challenges into new opportunities for industrial development. To maintain the development of Taiwan’s industry and the uninterrupted flow of vital supply chains, the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program has invested more than NT$200 billion (US$7.2 billion) in water environments. Nearly 90 percent of this investment has gone toward stabilizing water supply and improving flood control. These efforts have proved timely in reducing the impact of the drought and flooding we saw with this year’s severe weather events. To fully ensure the security of water supplies, the government has also formulated a long-term water resources construction strategy to systematically strengthen upstream, midstream and downstream water retainability, and enhance backup systems and tech-assisted water production.  The biomedical industry is a core strategic industry for Taiwan. Over the years, the government has continued to invest in budgets, improve the ecosystem, integrate industrial clusters, and accelerate the development of the biomedical industry by fostering talent, improving the legal system, and assisting in financing channels. Vaccines are precious strategic materials, and Taiwan is one of the few countries that is able to produce vaccines. To encourage the development and manufacture of vaccines and new biotech drugs, and promote Taiwan to a key role in the global biotech medical industry supply chain, my team has also submitted draft amendments to the Act for the Development of Biotech and New Pharmaceuticals Industry to the Legislature for deliberation. In nation building and economic development, talent is the first priority. The completion of relevant legislation has made it possible for four top universities to establish semiconductor and industrial-academic innovation research institutes. A Taiwan finance international institute is expected to start enrolling students next year to steadily cultivate the high-level personnel required by the country’s key industries. The government has also increased its recruitment to boost incentives for international talent to stay in Taiwan, hoping to make Taiwan a place where the world's top stars gather. The darkest times and the most glorious of times As Taiwan defended itself against outbreaks of COVID-19, world nations came to its assistance. And as threats from China were rapidly growing, Taiwan stepped up without a hint of fear to the front line in defense of freedom, democracy, openness and human rights. Like-minded allies in the international community responded with ever-growing and more forceful support.  In June of this year Switzerland’s International Institute for Management Development released its 2021 World Competitiveness Yearbook where Taiwan turned out its best performance in eight years, ranking third among Asia-Pacific nations and first among economies with populations of 20 million or more people. Furthermore, the U.S. firm Business Environmental Risk Intelligence in reports released in April and August judged Taiwan’s investment environment the fourth most-stable in the world, with an outlook toward rising to No. 3 next year. In February, April and September, the world’s big-three global credit rating agencies—Moody's, S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings—released reports in which all raised Taiwan’s sovereign credit ratings and outlooks. This is a 20-year first and marks a new record.  Fitch’s report in particular was laudatory. It cited Taiwan’s prudent fiscal management and its economic outperformance of other nations at the same credit rating level. It also said that the reshoring of Taiwanese manufacturing and policy efforts to facilitate industrial upgrading and enhance supply-chain resilience with key trading partners will strengthen Taiwan’s growth potential. This reflects the government’s high governance standards together with an ability to maintain impressive economic performance while under the threat of the pandemic.   A winter of despair yields to the springtime of hope, and in crisis there is opportunity. Thanks to our tech know-how, Taiwan has been able to hold the coronavirus at bay, and as a result maintain normal production capacity and meet the needs of the global supply chain. Whether in terms of strategic geographic location, core strategic industries, success in COVID control or economic achievements, Taiwan occupies the most critical position and plays the role of a quality partner. Thus in the middle of a once-in-a-century pandemic, we find ourselves in the international spotlight and the subject of global affirmation.  It is my hope that we can all redouble our efforts together. Let every person in Taiwan hold dear the honor of Taiwan and stride forward proudly toward the world. Thank you!  <上版日期>110-09-28 <更新日期>110-10-15 <發布日期>110-10-15 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/d3b8af06-c0fb-4d86-90bd-43c445e79b27 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 3rd session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of select portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, esteemed members of the Legislature: 2020 was an extremely difficult year for nations all around the world. More than 110 million people have been infected with COVID-19, and 2.5 million have died so far. Here in Taiwan, the government responded swiftly, making the correct policy decisions, enacting many disease prevention measures early in the outbreak, and doing things the right way. Public confidence in the government increased as a result, and citizens complied willingly with disease prevention procedures and measures. As the nation rallied together, we transformed Taiwan into an oasis among chaos, and it has become one of the safest places in the world.  At a time when nearly all major world economies were declining, Taiwan posted more than 3 percent GDP growth last year. Moreover, our manufacturing sector is still exporting critical products ranging from small semiconductors to large computer servers, meeting the needs of industries and private sectors worldwide during the pandemic and making significant global contributions. In the new year ahead, my Cabinet team will take a three-pronged administrative approach to safeguard Taiwan: ensuring security, boosting the economy and creating opportunity. Ensuring security The government is committed to safeguarding Taiwan, from national security to home security, from people’s basic everyday needs to the nation’s long-term stability.  National security means everything, and so the administration will do all it can to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty. In recent years Chinese military aircraft have been circumnavigating our adjacent airspace with increasing intensity. We will abide by the principles of peace, parity, democracy and dialogue, and we will not act provocatively or rashly. Nevertheless, the best guarantee of Taiwan’s security is through a solid national defense and international support.  To shore up Taiwan’s indigenous defense capabilities, our military is expediting the construction of our own aircraft and maritime vessels. Last year saw many important milestones: the maiden flight of our “Brave Eagle” new advanced jet trainer, the start of work on a submarine prototype, and the delivery and launch of our first high-speed minelayer vessel and a Tuo Chiang-class missile corvette. These developments demonstrate our determination to comprehensively defend our airspace and territorial waters as we gradually build up our national defense capabilities.  Aside from national security, the COVID-19 pandemic brings its own warnings. We have therefore incorporated strategic stockpile industries and critical infrastructure as important elements in our national security strategy. In terms of disease-prevention supplies, our “national face mask team” already ramped up production capacity to 24 million masks per day last year. The government is also securing vaccines through a variety of channels, including through overseas procurements and domestic vaccine development. Personal protective equipment and respirators are in ample supply. As for food security, the government has introduced response measures to address bulk import crops for which Taiwan is less self-reliant, such as soybean, wheat and corn. We are planning ahead for the production of these types of grains to make sure we have our own secure stocks of key agricultural products.  To ensure our energy security and self-reliance, we’ve kicked off a string of green energy projects: The nation’s solar energy installation capacity has grown nearly five times, and wind turbines are cropping up one by one in the Taiwan Strait. Earlier this year we inaugurated the Marine Technology Industry Innovation Zone at Xingda Port in southern Taiwan, and later this year we will wrap up construction on an offshore wind farm service port near the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park. Both of these facilities are expected to contribute to the formation of a wind energy industrial chain in Taiwan. As well, the government continues to strengthen electricity supply resiliency, and is actively building natural gas storage facilities as a precautionary measure.  Reliable water supplies are also an important factor in protecting our industries and livelihoods. In recent years the government has made a big push to build water infrastructure, with a fourfold focus on developing new water sources, conserving water, reallocating water supplies, and expanding reserve capacity. Last year Taiwan confronted its most severe drought in 56 years, but thanks to the many large water conservancy projects that were completed on time and put into use, the impacts of the water shortage were effectively mitigated. In terms of the social safety net, the government hiked national minimum wages five years in a row and raised the basic living expense allowance per person for income tax purposes four years in a row as part of efforts to narrow the wealth gap. These actions benefited 2 million workers and eased the tax burden on more than 2 million households.  This year, we finished setting up three insurance schemes and a pension system for agricultural workers. This shows our determination to take care of the nation’s farmers and make agricultural careers more attractive to young people. Public safety is the foundation of a safe society. The government provides full support to law enforcement agencies so they can do their jobs. We’ve increased budgets, expanded the police force, updated tools and equipment, amended laws and regulations, and improved mechanisms. We’re also asking law enforcement to demonstrate higher efficiency in case handling. We will continue to guard our borders and crack down on organized crimes such as illicit drug and fraud operations to ensure public safety for all. Boosting the economy Taiwan’s economy grew by an impressive 3.11 percent last year, the highest among the Four Asian Tigers and the rest of the world’s developed countries. Owing to the Legislature’s support, the government was able to deliver disease prevention, financial relief and economic stimulus measures in a timely manner. We also responded early to global changes and industrial trends, and relied on the three pillars of consumption, exports and investments to put out the best economic performance amid one of the darkest times in recent world history. The administration used a very limited relief budget to great effect, keeping 120,000 businesses from going under and saving the jobs of 1.15 million workers. The nation’s unemployment rate for January 2021 dropped to a 12-month low. Our “triple stimulus” voucher program succeeded in boosting consumption and helped retailers, wholesalers, and food and beverage businesses reverse revenue declines to post monthly highs in the second half of 2020. Notwithstanding the impact of the pandemic worldwide, Taiwan set the highest records for both export value and export orders last year. Despite Taiwan’s limited influence as a small nation on the overall trade war between the U.S. and China, we took stock of the situation and decided to go all out on three large programs to boost investment in Taiwan. So far the government has approved more than NT$1.2 trillion (US$42.4 billion) in investment projects. Last year, public construction projects received more than NT$500 billion (US$16.9 billion) in funding from the government, which, when combined with public-private partnership infrastructure projects, comes to a total of NT$650 billion (US$22 billion). These initiatives have had a clear and positive effect on growth in domestic demand industries and the creation of job opportunities. All of these achievements were possible thanks to the forward-thinking plans we crafted over the past four years to address the lack of investment momentum. We were able to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changing international landscape, and even stand out from the crowd to create another “Taiwan miracle.”   In the area of green energy, Taiwan leads Asia with the most ambitious plan for transformation. In fact, many large domestic and foreign enterprises currently procure green energy from producers in Taiwan. The government has dedicated considerable effort to developing the wind and solar power sectors here, enhancing indigenous R&D and production capabilities, and accelerating Taiwan toward its future as Asia’s green power development hub. On the formerly barren and deserted fields of Tainan’s Shalun District now rise new clusters of research building, where the Southern Campus of Academia Sinica and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Tainan campus will build superior R&D capabilities geared toward green energy. Both complement the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City, which includes on-site or adjacent facilities such as the Taiwan CAR Lab, the Tainan Conference and Exhibition Center, and a bilingual school to ensure full functional support. With respect to national defense industries, the full range of defensive weapons R&D and manufacturing last year generated over NT$130 billion (US$4.4 billion) in production value. Furthermore, transdisciplinary cooperation among industry and academia are opening rich new fields of opportunity to advance the domestic aerospace and shipbuilding sectors and encouraging the development of periphery industrial chains. Recent years have seen heavy investment by the government in space technology. This has yielded indigenously produced satellites and sounding rockets, as well as spurred the establishment of several domestic space-focused commercial ventures, further priming a nascent related industrial supply chain. In addition, the Cabinet two weeks ago proposed draft legislation to develop the space industry, in the hopes of promoting the growth of the sector and launching space-oriented economic activity. To decisively steer the economy in innovative new directions, the government has provided a NT$10 billion (US$353.1 million) business angel fund and made available up to NT$60 billion (US$2.1 billion) in young entrepreneur loans to develop innovative and high-potential startups engaged in such areas as the internet of things, artificial intelligence and big data. An obvious factor in the success and rapid growth of so many famous global startups like Google and Facebook was ready access to capital markets. The government is therefore proposing the creation in the second half of this year of two new equity boards for the listing of suitable enterprises: the Taiwan Innovation Board on the Taiwan Stock Exchange and an innovative strategy board on the Taipei Exchange. This will encourage startup enterprises with development potential and companies working in the Six Core Strategic Industries to seek listings in order to access capital that will help boost growth and development. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics forecasts that Taiwan’s economy will grow by 4.64 percent in 2021. This marks not only the first time in seven years that annual GDP growth will break 4 percent, but also the first time ever that the total size of our economy will exceed NT$20 trillion (US$706.2 billion). The government will take full advantage of the key opportunities presented by the post-pandemic reordering of global supply chains to continue drawing investment into domestic projects, stimulating private-sector consumption, advancing exports, and opening the way to even greater economic success. Creating opportunity Fortune now favors Taiwan thanks to the struggles of eras past, just as a nation’s power and influence accrue generation upon generation. The government seeks to develop policy and provide infrastructure that will create opportunities for young people who make up the backbone of the country’s future, so that generations of Taiwanese yet to come will be able to bring change to this land and effect new miracles. Taiwan continues to raise subsidies, lighten burdens and create more space at affordable schools as part of the nation’s child care policy for children ages 0-6, with the goal of creating an environment where young adults can live and work in contentment and with greater confidence to enter marriage, have kids and raise families. This year alone, government investment is more than NT$40 billion (US$1.4 billion) above what was allocated in 2016. In addition, the government is moving forward with the “salute to the mountains” and “salute to the seas” policies, encouraging people to venture and explore the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains and forests, and the grand majesty of sea and sky that surround their homeland. The policies also aim to turn the country’s mountains and sea into classrooms for teaching the values of individual independence and taking on risks, where the next generation can learn to bravely accept challenges, face down fears and develop the broad vision and expansive ambition that characterize the spirit of a great nation. Human capital is essential to building up national strength, and the government has launched a “bilingual nation” campaign to enhance the international competitiveness of the next generation. We’ve also pushed for special legislation to loosen restrictions in the higher education system to begin training a steady stream of high-level technical talent to meet demand in sectors of national importance. Measures to actively attract high-quality international talent to Taiwan are also being taken, including the issuance of over 2,100 Taiwan Employment Gold Cards. We will bring together world-class talent to build the country into an island of startups. Last December, the Executive Yuan launched a project to strengthen the housing market to help ensure affordable homes are available for hardworking people. The project is aimed at making real estate transaction information more transparent, timely and accurate, as well as curbing tax evasion maneuvers. Also included are steps to accelerate social housing construction, expand rent subsidies, promote subleased or managed rental homes, and extend mortgage payment deadlines for young homebuyers. We hope anyone wishing to do so will be able to find a home where they can start a family and settle down. In creating investment opportunities, President Tsai Ing-wen has removed long-standing trade barriers between Taiwan and the U.S., a move widely welcomed and commended in the U.S. The government will continue to step up bilateral cooperation in strategic supply chains and strengthen ties built under the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue. Ushering in a new future Taiwan boasts a unique strategic position in the global semiconductor industry chain. Its expertise is greatly valued and needed worldwide. Recently, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier and U.S. National Economic Council Director Brian Deese have separately sought assistance from Taiwan and expressed gratitude for our help in resolving shortages of automobile chips in their countries. On February 24, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed our government’s Aa3 long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings, and upgraded Taiwan’s outlook from stable to positive. The outlook upgrade is the first since Moody’s began covering Taiwan in 1994. Moody’s applauded Taiwan’s extraordinary fiscal discipline in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, and praised the country’s effectiveness in rapidly restoring economic normalcy while successfully negotiating the pressures of the U.S.-China trade conflict. The report also said Taiwan’s management of shocks points to stronger governance than previously assessed. World nations are now learning of the importance and significance of Taiwan. Our ability to keep COVID-19 at bay has earned us widespread recognition as one of the safest places on the planet. Our outstanding economic performance has impressed countries the world over, while our technological advantages and leading technologies have made us an essential global hub. And of course, our respect for freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law have boosted confidence in Taiwan as a reliable collaboration partner for other nations. This moment, right now, belongs to Taiwan. Let us pick up the pace, come together in solidarity, and stride forward to build a better and brighter future for all!   <上版日期>110-03-02 <更新日期>110-03-19 <發布日期>110-03-19 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/0ef4be53-c5e6-4d08-a0cc-1a928cc912e9 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 2nd session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of the main portions of the premier’s report. The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the world, from the global economy to everyday activities, upending normal life as people know it. Fortunately for Taiwan, our government and citizenry rallied together at the onset of the outbreak and have been able to keep the coronavirus at bay. Even as many countries have shut their borders, locked down regions, closed schools, restricted people’s movements and cancelled large gatherings, life in Taiwan continues much as before. We are truly an oasis in the midst of global chaos, and the pandemic has revealed the resilience and fortitude of the people of this island.  I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all legislators for your efforts last session to pass into law many bills relating to the nation’s welfare, particularly the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens and its accompanying special budget. These actions paved the way for the immediate and simultaneous launch of the government’s disease prevention, industrial relief and economic stimulus programs, which rendered much needed assistance to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic. The Legislature also approved a follow-up, four-year special budget for the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, which will allow Taiwan to accelerate the work of building the nation and spurring the economy, even amid the stresses of the ongoing pandemic. I am deeply grateful for your assistance. While major world economies have seen dramatic declines in their GDPs this year, Taiwan just announced an economic growth rate of 3.33 percent for the third quarter and 1.66 percent for the past three quarters, making us the only one of Asia’s four tigers to post positive growth so far this year. Export values also broke the US$30 billion mark for three consecutive months in August, September and October, representing the highest levels in more than three decades. And while stock markets around the world have been trending downward, the TAIEX, the major index of the country’s stock market, has seen steady growth, closing above 10,000 on more than 1,000 occasions. The TAIEX, and the proportion of foreign investor shares to total market value, have also set new records time and again, signaling the growing confidence that foreigners have in Taiwan’s investment environment. Even U.S.-based Business Environment Risk Intelligence in its first and second reports this year ranked Taiwan as the best investment destination in Asia and third-best worldwide—after only Switzerland and Norway—underscoring the stability of Taiwan’s investment climate. As the Cabinet endeavors to protect public health and expedite the economy’s revival, we will also continue to push important national policies ranging from care for all ages to industrial upgrading and balanced regional development. We want Taiwan to get through this pandemic safely so that it can emerge a stronger and better nation ready to engage the world. Please allow me now to make a report of the Executive Yuan’s recent administrative policy achievements and our visions for the future. Seize opportunities and push for transformation With COVID-19 overturning the global economic and trade order, Taiwan has an opportunity to occupy a key position on the world’s industrial supply chain. From the outset of the trade conflict between the U.S. and China, Taiwan acted early on to improve the domestic investment environment by tackling shortages of water, electricity, land, manpower and talent needed by industries. The government also helped businesses with their transformation and competitiveness, and actively guided the development of a new generation of strategic industries.  Since the 2019 launch of three major programs for boosting investment in Taiwan, more and more high-end product manufacturers are choosing to return to Taiwan. They have so far obtained government approval for over NT$1.1 trillion (US$38.2 billion) worth of investment projects, and are expected to commit more than NT$620 billion (US$21.5 billion) to actual projects by the end of the year. Also, since the Management, Utilization, and Taxation of Repatriated Offshore Funds Act took effect a year ago, overseas Taiwanese individuals and businesses have repatriated NT$220 billion (US$7.6 billion) in capital back to Taiwan, which increases tax revenues and helps stimulate the economy with real investments. President Tsai Ing-wen has also pledged to develop the Six Core Strategic Industries by building on the foundations of the “five plus two” innovative industries and integrating applications across multiple disciplines.  Last year, the value of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry reached NT$2.7 trillion (US$87.3 billion), the second highest in the world. This August, the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association revised its 2020 forecast for Taiwan’s integrated chip industry to top the NT$3 trillion (US$104.1 billion) mark for the first time. The government also plans to devote NT$7.6 billion (US$263.8 million) over the next two years to encourage big international tech names in artificial intelligence, the internet of things, cloud-based services and semiconductor facilities to expand their investments in Taiwan. By collaborating with these corporations and complementing each other’s industrial advantages, Taiwan hopes to boost the domestic materials and equipment supply chain at the up-, mid- and downstream levels and create a thriving semiconductor industrial cluster at home. In addition to turning Taiwan into a high-end manufacturing, high-tech R&D and advanced semiconductor processes hub for Asia, these efforts will lay the groundwork for Taiwan’s economic and industrial development for the next 30 years. Taiwan’s well-developed corporate governance, high degree of regulatory transparency, and robust capital markets are the main reasons international capital continues to flock to our markets. In the “CG Watch” 2020 report published Wednesday by the Asian Corporate Governance Association, Taiwan achieved its best ranking ever, at fourth place out of 12 markets surveyed. To make Taiwan a corporate financial center for Asia, the government has introduced the Corporate Governance 3.0 plan designed to strengthen the duties and function of boards of directors, improve corporate social responsibility, and step up disclosures of non-financial information. These strategies will encourage companies to direct funds into environmental and social causes. The digital economy has become an important component of Taiwan’s economic development, with output value accounting for a quarter of the nation’s GDP. Under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program 2.0, we will inject nearly NT$100 billion (US$3.5 billion) into digital infrastructure over the coming four years. As Taiwan officially launched 5G commercial services this June, more industries are expected to join with applications and services. The government will thus act quickly in building related infrastructure and easing regulations to enable 5G technology to drive Taiwan’s digital transformation. Additionally, a dedicated digital development agency will be established to oversee information, cybersecurity, digital networks and broadcasting, thereby boosting the nation’s digital governance capabilities. In the area of startup support, the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Startup Terrace and the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Taiwan Tech Arena continue to draw world-class accelerators and foreign venture capital investors to Taiwan while offering links to different markets worldwide. To date, the two facilities have served over 560 startup teams and helped raise more than NT$7 billion (US$243 million) in funding. The Financial Supervisory Commission’s FinTechSpace is also forming an international team of select, high-potential financial institutions and financial tech businesses to go abroad and develop new markets with assistance from the government. The Shalun Startup Terrace is expected to open next June. The National Development Council’s business angel investment fund will be gradually expanded in coming years to NT$10 billion (US$347.1 million), while other ministries and agencies will provide NT$60 billion (US$2.1 billion) in youth entrepreneurship loans in the hopes of nurturing outstanding startups to lead Taiwan’s development.  In the transformation of the nation’s energy portfolio, several years of endeavor have steadily raised the capacity of renewable energy installations, from 9.5 percent of total energy generating installations in 2016 to 14.9 percent currently. The cumulative capacity of solar power installations, in particular, increased fourfold, from 1.2 gigawatts in 2016 to 4.8 gigawatts now. Regarding wind power installations, the government is working hard to build up the basic infrastructure required. This includes wind power industrial zones and heavy cargo terminals at Taipei Port, Taichung Port and Kaohsiung’s Xingda Port. This August, construction began on an offshore wind farm service port near the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park, which will become the Asia-Pacific’s first port specializing in the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms after phase one construction wraps up in mid-2021. The Marine Technology Industry Innovation Zone situated at Xingda Port will also be completed by year-end, and is expected to help train the talent and personnel needed for offshore wind technology. Many big-name international companies that have invested in Taiwan have committed to 100 percent renewable energy and announced their participation in green power purchasing plans. Google, for one, declared recently that it will build a third local data processing center—following those at the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park and Tainan Technology Industrial Park—with investments of at least NT$20 billion (US$694.2 million). This shows that these firms have confidence in Taiwan’s investment environment and think well of the government’s support for green energy. It also indicates that green energy will not only contribute tangibly to domestic supplies but also boost energy exchanges in the future. As for the railway industry, the Railway Technology Research and Certification Center will be established at the end of the year as a national-level agency in charge of railway technology, with an R&D training building to be completed next January. The center will be responsible for establishing technologies relating to railway product R&D, testing, inspection and certification. Additional objectives include integrating the domestic railway industry’s technologies and capacities, improving the ability to develop key technologies indigenously, promoting domestic manufacturing of rolling stock, and localizing electromechanical systems, all of which will promote the development of railway technology and related industries. In the areas of agriculture and fisheries, this June after 24 years of hard work, Taiwan was finally recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease where vaccination is not practiced. Now that Taiwan can resume exports of quality pork products, we have begun steady exports of fresh pork meat to Macau, and are in talks with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. The government is also injecting over NT$5 billion (US$173.5 million) into the two largest fishing harbors in the country to raise fishery output value and boost tourism.  Care for all ages and peace of mind In terms of child care, more than 90 percent of nannies and nurseries have signed contracts with the government as of July to care for infants and toddlers ages 0-2 under the quasi-public child care scheme. The government has also added more than 1,550 public preschool classes over the past four years to provide more education and care services for children ages 2-5. With the establishment of the quasi-public system, nearly 60 percent of all preschools offered affordable tuition for the 2020 school year, an increase of over 20 percent since 2016. The government is vigorously promoting the long-term care 2.0 policy for the elderly and people with disabilities, with nearly 10,000 community service stations set up across Taiwan to date. Under the policy of “one residential care facility in every town” and “one daytime care center in every middle school district,” the government has set up 50 care facilities and 500 daytime care centers.  As for social housing, the government is expected to construct 42,000 social housing units by the end of this year, representing 106 percent of the first phase target. To achieve the second phase target, the central government will undertake an initial 50 social housing developments in 18 cities and counties across Taiwan next year in a bid to make more than 15,000 homes available. In the years ahead, the central government will also work with local authorities, the National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center, and state-owned enterprises to provide more social housing units to those in need. Newly constructed social housing communities will be connected to such social welfare institutions as public child care centers, long-term care facilities and nongovernmental organizations. This policy to promote care for all ages whether young or old will also improve the quality of life for residents. Regarding air pollution control, numerous central government agencies are working with local governments to create different policies for different causes of air pollution. The results so far have been tangible: The number of PM2.5 alerts nationwide plunged from 997 in 2015 to only 146 last year, an improvement of 85 percent. Illicit drugs lie at the root of many crime issues. Since the Executive Yuan launched the New Generation Anti-drug Strategy in 2017, more than NT$11 billion (US$381.8 million) has been poured into the war against narcotics. Law enforcement has since set new records in the amount of drug hauls, the value of drug seizures, and the number of drug manufacturers, dealers and traffickers taken into in custody. The number of new drug users has also declined noticeably. To continue the fight, the government will devote an additional NT$15 billion (US$520.6 million) on a three-pronged strategy aimed at reducing the supply, demand and harms of illegal drugs. This is to be achieved by tightening border controls, curbing drug production within Taiwan, and strengthening testing for new and emerging drugs. It is hoped these efforts will more effectively lower recidivism rates and the number of new drug users. Balanced development and a sustainable homeland Improving the basic infrastructure of daily living and industry creates a better life for all. More importantly, it is key to achieving balanced regional development. Both the extension of Taoyuan’s Metro Green Line to Zhongli and the project to move the Taoyuan metropolitan area railway underground—approved in February and September, respectively—are essential in the formation of a rail network loop around Taoyuan and will link the cities of Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan into a single community all within an hour’s journey. A project to elevate railway in Yilan County to reduce transportation bottlenecks and stimulate regional development was also given the go-ahead in October. In Taichung, construction and testing have been completed on the metro system’s Green Line, which is connected to the Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railway stations. Electrification of the nationwide round-the-island railway system is also nearly finished. Along the South Link Line, the stretch between Chaozhou and Fangliao townships is already open to train traffic. Work on track between Fangliao and Zhiben will also be completed by the close of this year, which will play a driving role in the development of tourism in eastern Taiwan. In the past science park construction has largely been concentrated in the north. Now with returning Taiwanese enterprises seeking to invest in all regions, southern and central Taiwan will be given priority consideration for the development of new industrial parks. This will spur balanced regional development as well as benefit existing industrial clusters. A new science park in Kaohsiung’s Qiaotou District received approval in December 2019, and businesses expect to begin construction of facilities there at the end of 2021. This year in April we approved plans for the third-phase expansion of the Southern Taiwan Science Park, while the Hsinchu Science Park X project was greenlighted in July. Both expansions will allow for new manufacturers to move in and thereby create an important research and development hub for the next generation of semiconductors, artificial intelligence and software. The government will also continue with its investment of NT$12 billion (US$416.5 million) in helping smaller towns and villages develop unique local attractions, with the aim of accelerating the revitalization of local communities, drawing the return of young people to their hometowns and stimulating the economy. The government is engaged in a renewed push to develop water resource infrastructure in response to the effects of extreme climate change, which has driven reservoir levels in Taiwan to a 17-year low. To make the most of supplies, plans have been approved to update water processing and distribution facilities by investing greater resources and reducing water leakage rates. This includes addressing issues with aging distribution systems in older upland communities. Taiwan is blessed with rich scenic beauty. Surrounded by the ocean and home to majestic mountain ranges, the country boasts 268 peaks topping 3,000 meters and 2,000 kilometers of continuous coastline featuring dramatic seaside cliffs and beautiful beaches. Following up 2019’s “salute to the mountains” policy of lifting access restrictions on Taiwan’s mountain and forest areas, this year we announced a “salute to the seas” policy guided by the same principles of openness, transparency, service, education and responsibility, with the goals of encouraging the people of Taiwan to understand the ocean, embrace the ocean, engage with the ocean and keep the ocean clean. Additionally, in commemoration of World Oceans Day on June 8, I approved an inaugural National Ocean Policy White Paper to serve as a policy blueprint for government ocean administration and a basis to promote ocean affairs. Research is a key objective of this policy. The research ship New Ocean Researcher 1 was delivered in July, the first such vessel conceptualized, designed and constructed exclusively in Taiwan, and a testament to the prowess of the nation’s shipbuilding industry. The New Ocean Researcher 1 will join three existing vessels—Legend, New Ocean Researcher 2 and New Ocean Researcher 3—that have been brought into service over the past two years. This renewed fleet greatly enhances Taiwan’s ocean research capabilities and is creating new possibilities for the development of the nation’s maritime industries. A problem frequently faced by authorities is Chinese vessels dredging and stealing sand from Taiwan waters, which damages the environment and threatens the nation’s territory. Between January and October this year, Taiwan coast guard patrols expelled Chinese sand dredging and transport vessels on nearly 4,000 occasions. The Executive Yuan approved draft amendments to both the Law on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf of the Republic of China and the Sand and Gravel Excavation Act on October 29, which have been sent to this body for review and discussion. The amendments will stiffen penalties for unauthorized removal of sand and gravel from our territorial waters, protect the safety of maritime navigation, and ensure the sustainable development of ocean resources. Deepening democracy and cultivating culture August saw the promulgation of a citizen judges act that will help move Taiwan forward into a new era of ordinary citizens and professional judges sitting together to hear cases and pass judgment. This important step in judicial reform will go into formal effect in 2023. Because the new process will open the bench to a broader range of life experiences and improve transparency, public confidence in the resultant verdicts will likewise increase. The changes will also narrow the gap between the judiciary and the people. We also want to inspire greater independence and autonomy among young people, encourage them to engage in public affairs, further protect their rights and interests, and balance rights with responsibilities. To meet this objective the Executive Yuan approved in mid-August a package of 38 draft amendments to the Civil Code and other laws that would lower the age of majority in Taiwan to 18. This package has been passed to the Legislature for review and debate. Just as culture represents the spirit of a nation, so too does it reflect that nation’s standards. To help shape Taiwan’s unique appeal and build a cultural brand, the government has steadily increased its annual budget for such efforts. The old focus in favor of physical manifestations over content and ideas has also been reversed. Resources have been redirected toward nurturing domestic talent and supporting the creative spirit. At the end of 2019 the Taiwan Film Institute was given a foundation in law as an administrative public body, and on May 19, 2020 was formally relaunched as the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute, with a mission to enhance audiovisual culture through archival restoration, research, promotion and education. The institute will also structure a historical audiovisual overview of Taiwan in the modern era, and present to the world the classic and abundant intricacies of Taiwan’s national culture.  Asia welcomed a major pop music center with the opening of the Taipei Music Center in August, after 17 years of planning and design. Meanwhile, the Kaohsiung Music Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in the first half of 2021. Together the two centers will act as twin cores—north and south—to drive audiovisual industry development, not only providing top-class performance venues but also serving as hubs for new musical talent, international exchanges, tourism and more. This year we budgeted about NT$5.3 billion (US$184 million), more than four times the 2016 figure, to promote cultural resource preservation, cultural revitalization and the transmission of our cultural heritage. The government has also advocated the interagency management of public cultural assets, encouraging administrators to budget for preservation, meld rural and urban styles, and add more value and vitality to cultural venues. For example, Taipower’s installation of monument lighting to illuminate the ruins of the “13-story” Shuinandong Smelter in New Taipei City not only boosted tourism but also won German design competition Red Dot’s 2020 Best of the Best award. We are also promoting the Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank as a systematically and thematically organized repository for cultural materials and related stories. This will open a window into the tales and memories that encapsulate Taiwan’s culture, enabling open access and countless retellings. Past failures to acknowledge the subjectivity of Taiwan’s indigenous groups and the violation of their traditional rights and interests have led to an erosion of culture. To address such issues, the government has taken the initiative over the past four-plus years to provide logging ban compensation for lands reserved for indigenous peoples. Also to ensure that reparations extend to all deserving claimants, we have entered into partnerships and strategic alliances that rely on traditional indigenous knowledge and ecofriendly lifestyles to restore customary indigenous rights and interests in natural resources, and promote workable shared management. This achieves the twin goals of preserving tribal traditions and protecting the environment, while also properly securing the future of Taiwan’s land and culture for generations to come. Strengthening security and extending connections Taiwan’s success in countering COVID-19 has won praise worldwide, and the “Taiwan model” serves as a standard for global efforts. In response to this performance, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar visited Taiwan in early August to share experiences with disease prevention and discuss cooperation on developing vaccines. Taiwan and the U.S. also signed a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation. At the end of August Czech Republic Senate President Milo&scaron; Vystrčil visited Taiwan at the head of a prodigious delegation of over 90 senators, business leaders, academics, cultural luminaries and other dignitaries. The trip marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations and yielded numerous tangible accomplishments in 22 areas of cooperation, including democratic values, trade and economics, culture, academia and technology. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Keith Krach visited Taiwan in mid-September, making him the highest-level serving U.S. State Department official to visit Taiwan since the Taiwan Relations Act took effect in 1979. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral economic cooperation at all levels, as well as on strengthening the collaborative economic relationship. Taiwan and the U.S. also signed a Framework to Strengthen Infrastructure Finance and Market Building Cooperation and announced a Joint Declaration on 5G Security. November 20 saw the inaugural meeting of the Taiwan-U.S. Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue and the signing of a five-year memorandum of understanding—renewable for a further five years—that will establish working groups on seven issues. These recent developments demonstrate that deepening Taiwan-U.S. economic cooperation will not be affected by the results of U.S. elections; rather, collaboration in all areas will continue on a sound foundation of mutual trust. Under the leadership of President Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan is pursuing a pragmatic course of steadfast diplomacy, uncowed in the face of suppression, seeking to work together with partners internationally that share our values and ideals. In recent months, we have continued to expand our role globally, reopening the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the U.S. territory of Guam, engineering the mutual establishment of representative offices with the Republic of Somaliland, and announcing the imminent opening of a representative office in the southern French city of Aix-en-Provence, an important center for tourism. In October, meanwhile, the European Parliament overwhelmingly approved its 2018 annual report on the implementation of the EU’s common commercial policy, in which it reiterated its call for the swift opening of investment negotiations with Taiwan in the context of a bilateral free trade agreement. In dealing with conditions across the Taiwan Strait and China’s actions toward Taiwan, we have always acted in accordance with the ROC Constitution and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, continuously pursuing a policy of non-provocation and careful consideration in cross-strait affairs. Abiding by President Tsai’s principles of “peace, parity, democracy, and dialogue” in cross-strait interactions should serve to ensure peace and stability between the two sides.  As for the changing situation in Hong Kong and Macau, our government is taking a careful and prudent approach in showing humanitarian compassion for the people of the two areas. The Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services officially opened in July, through which the government and private sector can work together to provide substantive assistance to those in Hong Kong. Recently we have frequently seen Chinese military forces circumnavigate Taiwan, again and again violating Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, also intentionally crossing the midway line dividing the two sides of the strait, and even conducting live-fire military drills in the waters near Taiwan. Such actions repeatedly prove that a strong national defense is the best and only guarantee of national security. Only if a country can establish the conditions for its own defense can it truly be independent and strong. The government is demonstrating its resolve through action. We are accelerating at every step initiatives for the indigenous design and construction of military aircraft and naval vessels in line with national defense policy, as well as vigorously promoting the development of Taiwan’s strategic aerospace industry. Here I would like to thank the Legislature for your support of last year’s special budget to procure new fighter aircraft. Taiwan’s purchase of 66 American F-16V Block 70 fighters has been approved by the U.S. This marks the first time since Taiwan acquired 150 American F-16A/B jets in 1992 that the U.S. has agreed to sell advanced fighters to our military. The new weapons will strengthen Taiwan’s air defenses and maintain adequate self-defense capabilities. In addition, an F-16 maintenance center was established at the end of August. This facility represents an important milestone in the development of Taiwan’s defense industry and will create over 600 job opportunities per year while bringing overall industry benefits of up to NT$200 billion (US$6.9 billion). In view of the increasing complexity and varied nature of threats to our national security, the government is actively engaged in preparations, taking stock of the infrastructure and assets requiring protection. The growing menace of hostile powers abroad has also prompted action to secure Taiwan’s national defense in cyberspace. We have already mapped out plans for a cybersecurity complex that will build proactive system defenses and offensive capabilities, foster cybersecurity talent, draw together private-sector resources and international partners, and enhance the effectiveness of coordinated regional defenses. The goal is to block malicious attacks and protect both critical national infrastructure and core strategic industries. United in writing a history of even greater success for Taiwan Taiwan is a small but strong and resolute country. With our success in the fight against COVID-19, we are ready to face the world. We will take advantage of the opportunities now presented to completely transform our nation, and in this critical moment of political and economic reordering, continue to claim a spot for Taiwan on the global stage.    <上版日期>109-11-27 <更新日期>110-10-15 <發布日期>109-12-14 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/d5325fb0-8c3c-4813-b7c8-ecd7dab38878 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 1st session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of the main portions of the premier’s report. Speaker You, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: President Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in to her second term on May 20 of this year, once again taking on the duties of the office. The president has asked me to continue as premier, and I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to labor for the nation and serve the public. Having answered this respected chamber’s invitation to bring my executive team to deliver my policy report and field questions, I feel more than ever the great weight of my responsibilities. Taiwan is a small but tough and resilient country. We have always faced difficulties in the international sphere, ever enduring political isolation and suppression. However, over the past year, my executive team has chalked up strong results and faithfully preserved the fruits of our democracy, thanks to President Tsai’s unerring leadership and the united efforts of the nation’s 23 million citizens. Our success in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the face of an overwhelming global pandemic demonstrates to the world that Taiwan is a great nation made strong by a noble people. At present the coronavirus has brought disease to more than 190 countries and territories around the world. Over 5.7 million confirmed cases have been reported, and deaths exceed 350,000. Many countries have closed borders, shut down cities, suspended school, and restricted people’s freedom of movement. In the midst of this chaos, only Taiwan has been able to maintain normal daily routines and ensure that our children attend classes as usual. It is no stretch to say that our nation now stands as the safest and most blessed country on Earth. The world has seen Taiwan’s success in controlling COVID-19, and the “Taiwan model” is now studied by many countries as a new standard. Even more, having helped ourselves we are now able to extend assistance to many other nations. Our actions have received very positive coverage by international media and serve as a point of pride for Taiwan’s people. The post-pandemic era will inevitably see a reshuffling of the global political and economic order, and international supply chains will necessarily also be restructured. With the recent deterioration of the situation in Hong Kong, there may be geopolitical consequences as well. All of this presents an unavoidable challenge for Taiwan, yet it is also an opportunity for rebirth that offers great prospects for the future. I will lead my executive team in bolstering institutional structures to serve the needs of the people and achieve long-term stability, peace and prosperity for Taiwan. Please now allow me to make my report. Overcoming the coronavirus and re-energizing the economy Taiwan’s disease control efforts have proven successful. Having halted the spread of COVID-19, we are shifting from defense to offense with relief and stimulus measures. For affected workers, industries and enterprises, we have expanded relief eligibility and simplified application procedures. This relief is being delivered on three fronts—cash assistance, rescue loans and burden reduction—and is designed to be rapidly responsive and equally accessible to all. In the little more than one month since the April 21 amendment of the Special Act for Prevention, Relief and Revitalization Measures for Severe Pneumonia with Novel Pathogens, around NT$70 billion (US$2.3 billion) in cash assistance has been distributed. These payments have helped 3.8 million disadvantaged members of the public, prevented the shuttering of over 30,000 businesses, and averted the loss of 340,000 jobs. Lenders have also approved NT$760 billion (US$25.3 billion) worth of loans to help 700,000 individuals and businesses through hard times. In addition, such measures as lowering central bank interest rates, decreasing assessed sales tax amounts for small business entities, reducing lease payments on state-owned properties, and charging less for water and power have lightened the strain on over 5 million individuals, households and businesses. In roughly over a month, these relief programs have helped a total of 9.5 million people make it through this difficult period. Now the government is quickening the pace and preparing the next phase of response, aimed at spurring consumption, reviving retailers and promoting domestic tourism, among other areas. Concurrently, the distribution of stimulus vouchers to consumers coupled with promotions and discounts offered by businesses will re-energize the domestic economy in one go. The government is also accelerating and expanding public works, as well as encouraging greater investment in Taiwan by both domestic and foreign enterprises. These efforts will spur domestic demand, promote industrial development, and boost economic growth. The global economy has been profoundly impacted this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Taiwan’s economy grew by 1.54 percent in the first quarter of 2020, putting Taiwan at the head of Asia’s “four tigers” economies. Furthermore, Business Environment Risk Intelligence, an international risk assessment firm based in the U.S., in May issued its first 2020 report, which ranked the stability of Taiwan’s investment environment No. 1 in Asia and third globally behind only Switzerland and Norway. Taiwan’s democratic response to the pandemic has emerged as a model for other countries, and international investment confidence in Taiwan has risen even further. These factors are important fundamental advantages for the nation’s future economic development. In response to global economic reordering in the post-pandemic era, the government will further propose new industrial strategies and enhance supply chain resilience, in line with international trends, Taiwan’s industrial strengths and market conditions. By introducing and popularizing innovative financial services and assisting businesses with the quick acquisition of needed capital, we will lead the public out from under the pandemic’s shadow and stimulate the economy. Prioritizing livelihoods and ensuring a secure and prosperous way of life The government is committed to realizing cradle-to-grave care for the citizens of Taiwan. This commitment includes child care programs for children up to six years old, further upgrades to the long-term care system, and continuing improvements to quality of life and secure living environments. Efforts will also be made to enhance health and prevent disease, bolster Taiwan’s food safety and social safety net, revamp law enforcement and community safety, and crack down on drug crimes. Over the past four years the overall budget for child care has grown threefold. We will continue to pursue the goals of making childhood education more affordable and reducing the burden of children’s care. This will involve further expanding public preschools and other child care services, lowering the cost of preschool institutions, and gradually raising each year subsidies for child care. Also over the past four years the government’s budget for long-term care has increased eightfold. Moving forward, we will continue to extend the system’s capacity, establish widespread daytime senior centers and affordable residential care facilities, apply artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of smart long-term care, and raise service quality. Housing remains a priority. Over the next four years, NT$40 billion (US$1.3 billion) will be devoted to accelerating social housing construction, expanding a managed subleasing scheme, and implementing urban renewal, as well as promoting seismic safety inspections and the reinforcement or rebuilding of old and unsafe buildings. Eligibility for rental subsidies will also be broadened to help young singles, newly married couples and families raising minor children. The government has invested over NT$10 billion (US$333 million) in the past four years to block the scourge of drugs, with enhanced counter-narcotics operations, strict drug enforcement, community embedding, source tracking, and stiffer penalties. Drug prevention programs are targeting schools to curb the number of new users, and legislative amendments have been passed to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. In addition to ongoing efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and prevent air pollution, the government will pursue a unified climate change strategy that includes slope-land remediation, flood prevention, watershed administration, construction of resilient cities and the sustainable development of ocean resources. This integrated management approach aims to mitigate damage caused by natural disasters and reduce the impact of a changing climate on human ecology and the environment. Strengthening culture, fostering talent and pursuing balanced development Fostering critical talent is of utmost importance as Taiwan transforms to meet the challenge of global economic competition in the post-pandemic era. The government will not limit its efforts to nurturing technical talent necessary for such innovative new industries as fifth-generation cellular networks, AI, the internet of things and cyber security; we will also train more workers for strategic traditional sectors, such as producers of mask-making machinery that played such an important role in stemming the outbreak of COVID-19. At the same time the government will guide the application of smart manufacturing and new technologies, enabling traditional industries to pursue continued prosperity and open new horizons. Informed by trends in digital development, we will integrate information technology, telecommunications, cyber security, networking and broadcasting as we implement policies for digital infrastructure, digital transformation, the digital economy and smart government. This work will benefit the upgrade of industry and improve quality of life for all. In addition, the government will continue to enhance our domestic aviation and satellite manufacturing capabilities, so that Taiwan can shine in the arena of aerospace services. We will also leverage our advantages in industries including semiconductors, information and communications technology, and precision machinery to establish Taiwan as an indispensable link in the global supply chain, thereby creating new commercial opportunities. To improve the cultural environment, we spent the past four years building up a comprehensive governance framework of regulations, organizations and budgets. With this framework in place, our next step is to provide venues where artists and performers can show off their creative talent. We will also integrate public and private cultural resources to create a support platform for the cultural ecosystem and content industry. Our vision is to hone the soft power abilities of the entire industry and work with the private sector to create a cultural brand unique to Taiwan. Since the inception of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, many locales have seen considerable improvements in transportation, education, social welfare, the environment, and other basic infrastructure services. To meet Taiwan’s long-term development needs, the central government has a responsibility to maintain this future-oriented mindset and design major infrastructure programs for local governments. With the approval of the Legislature, the Executive Yuan will formulate an appropriate plan for the second phase of the forward-looking infrastructure program, one that will satisfy the needs of tomorrow’s generation. When mapping out infrastructure programs for the nation, the government will be placing greater emphasis on balanced regional development. For regions that have consistently received fewer resources in the past, we will strengthen infrastructure projects to meet local needs and employ technology to shrink the educational, medical and other gaps between rural and urban areas. We want all residents to enjoy equal access to the nation’s fine infrastructure along with equal opportunities for a better quality of life. Our aim is to reinvigorate rural communities and bring back young people who will stay and contribute to the growth of innovative industries. Defending Taiwan and ensuring national security Even as China has stepped up threats and intimidation tactics against us, Taiwan has endeavored to the best of its ability to maintain cross-strait peace and stability. We will still abide by President Tsai’s basic principles of peace, parity, democracy and dialogue for maintaining positive cross-strait interactions. We will not, however, accept Beijing’s use of “one country, two systems” to downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo. Our government is keeping a close eye on developments in Hong Kong and any possible impacts on regional peace and security. We will respond appropriately where necessary, including by providing humanitarian assistance to people from Hong Kong, and taking advantage of opportunities to redirect international talent and capital to Taiwan. Taiwan’s success in arresting the spread of COVID-19 has been applauded around the globe, bringing more world leaders and government officials to join the growing chorus of support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Aside from promoting steadfast diplomacy and solidifying relations with diplomatic allies, we are strengthening ties with like-minded nations such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union. We are also working to deepen global partnerships and pushing for participation in international organizations and regional trade blocs like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. As we press on with our New Southbound Policy, we will bolster existing links, develop new and diverse models of cooperation, and create regional prosperity together with our partners. To maintain security and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader region, we are bolstering our defensive combat capabilities and pursuing a policy of self-reliant defense, including the development of indigenous military aircraft and vessels. Private industries are also invited to help upgrade Taiwan’s defense sector by participating in the research and development of national defense technology. The coronavirus pandemic has triggered lockdowns in many countries and altered the way humans live and interact in a globalized society. People and goods can no longer flow freely, raw material supply chains are disrupted, and material and food supplies have come under threat worldwide. These changes have heightened our awareness that Taiwan must become self-sufficient to grow sustainably into the future. Our first task is to ensure and boost the resilience of our supplies of strategic materials, foods and energy resources. In the immediate future, therefore, the government will establish strategic stockpile industries that can ensure the sufficiency of critical supplies such as face masks, medical necessities and everyday goods. We can no longer be over-reliant on imports as in the past. During this pandemic, the great people of this country rallied together to form a number of “national teams” that proudly bear the Taiwanese brand. Their selflessness amid challenge is truly commendable. We will continue cultivating these strategic industries to ensure a certain level of production that not only satisfies domestic needs but can supply global markets as well. To boost Taiwan’s food security, we will take early action or introduce response measures to raise the production of soybeans, wheat, corn, and other major import crops for which Taiwan is less self-reliant. In terms of energy security, the government will continue improving the nation’s self-sufficiency by accelerating development of green energy resources and constructing major green energy infrastructure. We will also take a fresh look at key energy supplies including electricity and natural gas, and increase Taiwan’s capacity for energy storage. As we do so, our energy supplies will no longer be at the mercy of others or of changes in the external environment. Uniting for strength and making Taiwan more beautiful The war on the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over and the Asia-Pacific region is still under threat. We need all political parties to join together and continue working with the people of this nation to build a safer and more beautiful Taiwan. It is my privilege to lead the Executive Yuan and I am fully aware of what people expect from the government. As we move forward, the Cabinet and I will devote our every effort to the singular goal of laying a lasting foundation for the nation while building long-term prosperity for the next generation. As we grow into a true and mature democracy, Taiwan will be an oasis amid the chaos, a blessed place where all can work in peace and live in contentment. Thank you!   <上版日期>109-05-29 <更新日期>109-06-12 <發布日期>109-06-12 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/05540b23-ad23-46f3-9455-41dc4e95707e <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 1st session of 10th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of the main portions of the premier’s report. Speaker Yu, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: Today marks the opening of the first session of the 10th Legislature. I’d like to begin by offering special congratulations to the entire legislative body for having passed the test of public opinion and earning the people’s mandate. Over the next four years, you will be representing the entire nation and the latest will of the people as you exercise the powers of the Legislature according to law.  The people of Taiwan expect strong communication and interaction between the executive and legislative branches of government, as these are important forces that drive the country’s development. For the work ahead of us, I sincerely hope that our two branches can move beyond political partisanship and put the well-being of the people and the nation’s interests above all else. Let us join hands and work together with the singular purpose of building a better and more beautiful Taiwan. In late 2019, a rapidly spreading novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan. And because of the high volume of people-to-people interactions between Taiwan and China, we found ourselves on the world’s first line of defense against the disease. Confronted with such daunting and pressing challenges, our government has deployed an aggressive regime of policies to combat and contain COVID-19.  We formulated a three-part master plan focusing on infection prevention, economic relief and industrial stimulus: Resources will be devoted to infection control as a priority, while economic relief will be provided to businesses and industries affected by the virus scare. We’ll also take this opportunity to reinforce our foundations and stimulate the upgrading of industries. With the backing of the Legislature and the undivided support of the people, I am confident that we can turn these threats into opportunities and weather the crisis successfully. Taiwan will come through stronger and more resilient than ever before. Now, I’d like to report on the recent achievements as well as the outlook of policies implemented by the Executive Yuan.   Lifting the economy and showing tangible results In the Global Competitiveness Report 2019 released by the World Economic Forum last October, Taiwan ranked 12th among 141 countries for overall competitiveness, and shared the top spot with 32 other countries in the macroeconomic stability category. During the last quarter of 2019, the nation’s economy grew 3.31 percent year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of rising growth and the highest rate in six quarters. Taiwan’s growth rate for the entire year has also been revised upward to 2.71 percent, the fastest clip among the Four Asian Tigers.  Companies listed on Taiwan’s stock exchange and over-the-counter market topped NT$34 trillion (US$1.1 trillion) in aggregate operating revenue in 2019, the second highest total ever recorded. In tourism, our strategy to diversify and develop new source markets attracted 11.86 million tourist arrivals last year—even after China suspended individual travel to Taiwan in August—for a 7 percent growth over 2018. To dampen the impacts of the trade war between the U.S. and China, we introduced three major programs last year to boost investment in Taiwan. So far, projects worth NT$870 billion (US$28.6 billion) have been approved, and funds of more than NT$240 billion (US$7.9 billion) are now in place for investing; these projects are expected to create in excess of 72,000 jobs. It is estimated that the three major programs will generate more than NT$1.1 trillion (US$36.2 billion) in investments by 2022.  The government provides generous tax incentives to encourage and guide individuals and for-profit companies to move offshore funds back home to Taiwan. Since the implementation of the Management, Utilization, and Taxation of Repatriated Offshore Funds Act on August 15, more than NT$50 billion (US$1.6 billion) has been approved for repatriation, of which NT$18 billion (US$592 million) is marked for investment in tangible assets. These funds not only increase tax revenues but inject fresh life into the domestic economy as well. In January the government completed the first stage of a competitive auction for 5G telecommunication licenses, raising a total of NT$138 billion (US$4.5 billion) from winning bids. Taiwan officially enters the 5G era this year as more innovative applications emerge for use in industries, everyday life and public services. As part of our policy to promote energy transformation and ensure power supply reliability, a vigorous campaign to construct solar energy and offshore wind systems is already yielding concrete results. After the nation’s operating reserve fell to its lowest point at 1.64 percent of peak load in May 2016, we worked very hard to expand capacity to where we’ve now been able to maintain a 10 percent operating reserve and 15 percent reserve margin every day since June 2019. These levels ensure steady and reliable supplies of electricity for consumers. Taiwan’s first large-scale offshore wind farm, Formosa I, was inaugurated off the coast of Miaoli and entered into commercial operation in November 2019. Its 22 wind turbines will generate enough electricity annually to power 128,000 homes and businesses, or more than half the customers in Miaoli County. Now that renewable energy development projects have progressed from the planning to the implementation stage, we can develop clean, homegrown resources that are expected to generate over NT$1 trillion (US$32.9 billion) in investments and 20,000 job opportunities. In fishery and agricultural competitiveness, last year Taiwan was removed from the European Union’s illegal fishery watch list, and became a participating fishing entity of the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement. Taiwan also established a regulatory structure for organic farming and now boasts the highest percentage of farmland dedicated to organic farming in Asia.  Taiwan is the only East Asian nation aside from Japan to have successfully blocked African swine fever at its borders, even as the disease has spread to 11 countries across Asia over the past 13 months. Our disease prevention efforts have ensured that the Taiwanese public has pork to eat and our NT$200 billion (US$6.6 billion) pork industry remains safe. We are in the process of applying to the World Organisation for Animal Health for recognition as a country free of foot-and-mouth disease where vaccination is not practiced. If the application is approved in May at the earliest, Taiwan will be able to resume exports of pork products to markets worldwide. Beyond that, the government will take this opportunity to help make Taiwan’s livestock industry more efficient with the capacity for higher output value. Last year Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery exporters set two highs by exporting some 2.3 million metric tons of goods and surpassing NT$170 billion (US$5.5 billion) in total export value. Among these products, fresh fruit exports grew by 42 percent. The government is also investing over NT$1 billion (US$32.9 million) in cold chain logistics systems. After a cold chain logistics center in southern Taiwan is completed in 2021, the volume of agricultural and fishery exports is expected to rise along with benefits for farming and fishing workers.  To boost tourism in Taiwan, we’ve been developing and diversifying our tourist source markets while spurring business opportunities in the travel market at home. Last year we provided funding through a series of domestic travel incentive programs that in turn generated roughly NT$50 billion (US$1.6 billion) in economic benefits. We also introduced a “salute to mountains” policy in October 2019 to open up all national mountains and forests to public recreation. This was followed by the designation of 2020 as the Year of Mountain Tourism to spotlight Taiwan’s mountain ranges as an alluring travel destination. Protecting livelihoods while caring for the vulnerable To ease the burden of childrearing and encourage young couples to marry and start families, the government has tripled the nation’s child care policy budget from over NT$15 billion (US$464.1 million) in 2016 to more than NT$45 billion (US$1.5 billion) this year. Last August we expanded childrearing allowances to cover kids ages 0-4, which raised the cumulative number of benefiting children from 260,000 in 2016 to nearly 920,000, a three-and-a-half-fold increase. The number of slots for children ages 0-4 at public and quasi-public day care centers and preschools has also reached 400,000. All of these efforts helped lift the labor participation rate for women ages 35-39 from 76.19 percent in 2016 to a historic high of 81 percent in 2019. We will continue striving to raise this rate by expanding the coverage and amount of childrearing subsidies, making children’s education more affordable, and increasing enrollment rates at preschools and day care centers.  The government has been implementing the long-term care 2.0 program since 2017 as part of broad-reaching efforts to build a senior-friendly environment in Taiwan. The program operates on a budget that has grown eightfold from under NT$5 billion (US$154.7 million) in 2016 to more than NT$40 billion (US$1.3 billion) this year, and has currently set up 7,000-plus community care stations with more than 280,000 people served. Last October the government began providing annual subsidies of up to NT$60,000 (US$1,940) for each patient living in a long-term care institution, alleviating burdens on over 50,000 families.  For the upcoming tax season in May, a special deduction of NT$120,000 (US$3,947) for long-term care—as provided by caregivers, long-term care institutions, or family members—will be available for the first time to help 290,000 households. The government will continue increasing long-term care spending and setting up day care and affordable residential facilities to provide more patients with quality, affordable services close to home. In November 2019, the Legislature approved an employment promotion act for the middle-aged and elderly, to encourage greater social participation by healthy older individuals and to make use of this valuable human resource.  As for the housing needs of young people and the disadvantaged, the number of social housing units provided by the government will exceed 40,000 this year. Starting in 2020, the government will also encourage universities to convert idle campus dormitories into social housing for students and young people. This is expected to provide an additional 25,000 beds over the next four years, and graduates may apply to continue residence in these units as they seek jobs in the workplace. A rent subsidy program introduced last September for young singles, newlywed couples, and families with minor children attracted applications from nearly 20,000 households, prompting the government to expand eligibility requirements to accommodate 120,000 households this year. For disadvantaged students, off-campus housing subsidies are available to help more than 30,000 students. This past January, more than 2.31 million workers benefited from another raise in the national minimum wage as the monthly rate was hiked to NT$23,800 (US$783) and the hourly rate from NT$120 (US$3.95) to NT$158 (US$5.20). In addition, government benefits under a large number of social welfare programs were all raised by at least 3.97 percent, benefiting more than 3.4 million recipients. These include elderly farmer allowances, national pension payments, disability pension payments, as well as welfare subsidies for low and lower-middle income families, people with disabilities, and children and youth from disadvantaged households. Over the past year the government has implemented a raft of measures to take better care of Taiwan’s agricultural and fishery workers. The farmers health insurance program was expanded to allow every person engaged in actual farming to join the program. An occupational injury and disease insurance program was launched, providing agricultural workers with four major types of insurance protection for only NT$15 (US$0.49) in monthly premiums. The crop insurance scheme continues to expand with the government covering up to half of premiums to protect farmers’ livelihoods. Several subsidies have been rolled out to help reduce production costs for agricultural and fishery workers. Educational scholarships for children of farmers and fishermen have been increased.   We also launched a series of new policies this January to help small farmers to produce high value-added goods for higher incomes. These measures include payments for farmers who use land for agricultural purposes, incentives for participating in product traceability systems, and an oversight system for early stage processing of agricultural products. Building out infrastructure and pursuing balanced development After 13 years of work, the second phase of the Banxin area water supply improvement project was completed in October last year, allowing the Feicui Reservoir to supply both Taipei and New Taipei cities. The end of 2020 will see the completion of an auxiliary water pipeline connecting Taoyuan to Hsinchu, as well as a second raw water pipeline for Hushan Reservoir in Yunlin County. Work continues on the Amuping desilting tunnel at Shimen Reservoir, the Niaozuitan Artificial Lake in the Wu River in Nantou County, and a raw water pipeline at Feicui Reservoir, among other major projects. This new infrastructure will increase flexibility in the management of Taiwan’s water resources, and allow for more reliable water provision to homes and industry.  With respect to land for industrial parks, the Executive Yuan approved the Dalinpu Village relocation project and a planned science park in Kaohsiung’s Qiaotou District last October and December, respectively, allocating NT$150 billion (US$4.9 billion) in investments to make nearly 500 hectares of industrial land available. Together they will generate NT$250 billion (US$8.2 billion) in production value and 28,000 job opportunities. In addition, the third-phase expansion of the Southern Taiwan Science Park will be accelerated to attract more high-tech businesses up and down the value stream and improve the competitiveness of the semiconductor hub there. Finally, a second-phase project for the Machouhou Industrial Park in Chiayi County began last December, which when completed is expected to generate NT$80 billion (US$2.6 billion) in production value every year. Road transportation is also a priority. The West Coast Expressway’s final section (Xinfeng to Fengbi exits) opened to traffic in January this year. Work to widen the South Link Highway and improve the Suhua Highway were completed at the end of last year and this January, respectively, making the trip home safer for residents of Hualien and Taitung counties. A follow-up road safety enhancement project for other stretches of the Suhua Highway will continue as part of overall efforts to improve the safety and convenience of routes linking eastern Taiwan with the rest of the country. As for railway construction, electrification of the final stretch (Chaozhou to Taitung stations in southern Taiwan) of the nationwide railway system is close to completion: The section of track between Chaozhou and Fangliao townships was opened to train traffic at the end of last year, and the section between Fangliao and Taitung will be opened by the close of this year. The Taichung coastal railway line and the entire Hualien-Taitung line will be upgraded to a double-track system, while high-speed rail service will be extended southward to Pingtung, creating a comprehensive round-the-island rail network with high-speed trains running the length of the island’s western side and a speedy railway line serving the east. This will further increase the number of destinations within the reach of day-trippers. New rapid transit construction also continues in metropolitan areas. In northern Taiwan, the first phase of the Circular Line in the Taipei metro system officially opened to riders at the end of this January. Funding for the next phase of construction—the northern and southern sections of the Circular Line—was approved by the Executive Yuan last year, with work scheduled to start in 2021. A feasibility study for an eastern section has also been approved. Once all sections are finished, the line will form a ring around Taiwan’s capital metropolis. In Taichung City, meanwhile, residents are looking forward to more convenient transportation with the completion of the green line in the Taichung metro system, likely by the end of 2020. On the health front, we approved a plan to raise the overall standard of medical care in remote areas and ensure the health of residents in mountainous areas and outlying islands. This effort includes encouraging more than 600 doctors educated at public expense to continue serving in local communities once their required terms expire. The government is also spending NT$370 million (US$12.2 million) annually to station emergency medical air evacuation teams on three outlying islands, a service that began in August 2019. A growing number of remote hospitals are establishing electronic patient histories and digitizing treatment information, and collaborating with major medical centers to introduce telemedicine services over ubiquitous broadband connections. Starting in January this year, telemedicine services have improved the immediacy and quality of care available at hospitals in such areas as Hualien, Hengchun, Penghu and Kinmen. Nurturing culture and fostering talent This year we set aside a culture budget of NT$40.3 billion (US$1.3 billion)—including Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program special budget items—with the goal of consolidating Taiwan’s universal values, promoting culture and revitalizing the nation. This represents a nearly 40 percent increase over 2016 spending. Integrating the nation’s soft tech power with the creative works of private businesses will allow Taiwan to tell its story to the world, and the world to learn about Taiwan through its culture.  Last November witnessed the launch of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency, which is assembling a “national team” of cultural talent from such sectors as the audiovisual and musical arts, traditional and digital publishers, fashion designers, the art world, and producers of animation, cartoons and games. The agency will execute two five-year projects approved by the Executive Yuan with a combined budget of NT$20 billion (US$657.8 million) to produce content, provide funding, expand distribution channels and raise brand recognition. These measures will provide solid support for the development and application of cultural content while adding greater value. A national center for film and audiovisual heritage will be established to step up restoration of Taiwan’s audiovisual culture and assets, providing both the people of Taiwan and the world a deeper view of our history in this field. Additionally, after many years of preparation and construction, the Taipei Music Center is scheduled to begin operations in June while the Kaohsiung Music Center is expected to be constructed by the end of the year. The centers will serve as engines in the north and south to foster upcoming musical talent and promote the popular music industry. Upwards of NT$500 million (US$16.4 million) has been budgeted under the Indigenous Languages Development Act to revive the native tongues of Taiwan. The funds will support local government efforts to install indigenous language promotion personnel in strategic locations, promote the use of bilingual government documents, put up indigenous-language signage for place names and public facilities, and hire professional language instructors. Money will also be used to assist Taiwan’s 16 indigenous peoples found organizations for spreading native languages. The Foundation for the Research and Development of Indigenous Languages will launch on February 22, with a mandate to promote and develop indigenous languages.  To ensure the transmission and ongoing development of Hakka culture, the government this year will formulate a four-year national plan to guide the development of Hakka communities and culture through cross-agency cooperation on diversity and ethnic equality. NT$140 million (US$4.6 million) will be invested to draw people back to Hakka communities, while business loans of NT$10 million (US$328,915) along with interest payment subsidies will be made available. We are also guiding merchants on innovative technology applications like the internet of things, and establishing a certification mechanism for Hakka goods to build brand quality. These measures enable Hakka producers to increase the value of production and rejuvenate their communities.  Taiwan is the world’s first nation to see a government-led initiative for a Hakka-language corpus. To preserve precious linguistic resources, we are in the process of digitizing written and spoken source material, which will be integrated with artificial intelligence for translation between Hakka and other languages like English and Japanese. This will open the door to communication and understanding for more researchers and users from other countries. Defending democracy and upholding sovereignty In recent years China has engaged in relentless threats, aggression and infiltration campaigns with the aim of forcing Taiwan to make concessions on sovereignty. The deteriorating situation in Hong Kong over the last half of 2019 only affirms that we are right in our resolute rejection of China’s “one country, two systems” framework. The presidential election of January 11 further stands as an important milestone in the development and solidification of the nation’s democratic system, showing to the world Taiwan’s commitment to democratic values and the decision made by the great people of this nation. As we look forward, it is my sincere hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can work together to bring about positive interactions on the basis of peace, parity, democracy and dialogue. On the international front, we will continue asserting our policies of soft power, “warm power,” and steadfast diplomacy in our collaborations with other countries in order to make ourselves an integrated member and indispensable partner of the global community. In a report published last December by CIVICUS Monitor, a human rights organization tracking civic space and fundamental freedoms around the world, Taiwan was the only nation accorded the highest rating of “open” among 25 countries evaluated in Asia. In January we created a mechanism to defend our democracy by enacting an anti-infiltration law designed to prevent hostile foreign forces from influencing Taiwan’s political and electoral systems. The law specifies that individuals in Taiwan may not make political donations or illegally engage in election activities at the instruction or with the financial support of an infiltration source. It also prohibits such individuals from lobbying in areas relating to national security or state secrets, including national defense, foreign affairs and cross-strait affairs. These measures are intended to maintain Taiwan’s free democracy and constitutional order.  Under our defense policy of indigenous aircraft and vessel building, a prototype of the first domestically developed advanced jet trainer, the Brave Eagle, was unveiled last year and will make its first flight in June. The military is aiming to produce 66 of these jets by 2026. The navy has plans to construct 71 military vessels of seven different types, for delivery by 2029. The coast guard will begin construction this year on a 4,000-metric-ton patrol vessel with helicopter carrier capability, the largest ever built in Taiwan. The research vessels New Ocean Researcher 2 and New Ocean Researcher 3 were inaugurated last November to strengthen Taiwan’s oceanography research capabilities as part of a fleet that includes the 1,000-metric-ton New Ocean Researcher 1 to be launched next quarter, and the Legend already in service. The Legislature passed the Special Act for New Fighters Acquisition and a special budget in October and November last year, allowing Taiwan to purchase 66 new F-16V Block 70 jet fighters from the U.S. as part of efforts to bolster our air defense and combat abilities. This collaboration with the U.S. also provides opportunities for transferring key technologies and enhancing domestic industrial technological capabilities. Last December, Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. signed a strategic alliance agreement with U.S.-based Lockheed Martin Corp., the largest defense contractor in the world, to establish an F-16 fighter jet maintenance center in Taiwan serving the Asia-Pacific. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Taiwan Relations Act by the U.S. government. Ties between Taiwan and the United States have grown steadily closer to reach perhaps a new peak. In addition to encouraging visits between high-level officials from both sides, the U.S. has passed many laws favorable to Taiwan and engaged in numerous instances of substantive collaboration, all of which have contributed to joint efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the greater region. In late October last year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act, or TAIPEI Act, which supports Taiwan in strengthening official diplomatic relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, highlighting the importance of Taiwan as a partner in the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific strategy. The government is actively pushing for Taiwan’s membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and other trade blocs by negotiating and lobbying support from members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and other platforms. Taiwan also continues to pursue the New Southbound Policy to forge closer bilateral relationships with targeted countries. In 2019, our total trade volume with New Southbound nations surpassed US$100 billion as we welcomed more than 2.5 million tourist arrivals from those countries (about 1 million more than in 2016). Taiwanese banks operating in New Southbound markets also reaped NT$12.2 billion (US$394.5 million) in profits last year, the highest total ever and a jump of 80 percent over the 2018 figure. Charging ahead and leading the nation forward We have only one country, and we must come together in solidarity if we are to build a stronger and better Taiwan. I will continue to demand that my Cabinet work at the highest level of diligence, with the nation’s interests ever in mind, simplifying administrative processes and seeking what’s best for Taiwan and its people. In so doing, we can build a more prosperous economy, create a more equitable society, and bring about a greater sense of well-being to the people. We must solidify Taiwan’s advantages and defend our democratic homeland. I respectfully ask everyone here, regardless of political affiliation, to continue supporting our nation’s administrative policies and programs. Thank you! <上版日期>109-02-21 <更新日期>109-03-06 <發布日期>109-03-06 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/5fc09d9f-6e6e-4e4f-92ca-3a8c1275cbbd <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 8th session of 9th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of the main points of the premier’s report. Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: In the eight months since I took office, the Cabinet team has endeavored diligently to solve the nation’s problems by promoting what is beneficial and eliminating what is harmful. Through concerted efforts by the government and the citizenry, Taiwan’s economy grew 2.4 percent in the second quarter of this year, outpacing South Korea (2.1 percent), Hong Kong (0.5 percent) and Singapore (0.1 percent). We not only exceeded expectations, but placed first among the Four Asian Tigers. Taiwan also delivered a string of successful performances on the international stage. This past March, Taiwan was removed from the European Union’s list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, ensuring the rights of our businesses to invest and compete in EU member states. In June, we were taken off the EU’s illegal fishing watch list, affording greater protection to Taiwan’s annual NT$40 billion (US$1.3 billion) fishing industry as well as peripheral industries worth nearly NT$100 billion (US$3.2 billion) per year. And in July, Taiwan became a participating fishing entity in the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement, with the ability to exercise decision-making authority alongside the agreement’s nine contracting parties (including the EU, Japan and South Korea) concerning the use and management of fishery resources in the southern Indian Ocean.  Also in July, we marked a full year since the cessation of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination program in the pig farming industry. Having recorded no cases of FMD during that observation period, we applied to the World Organisation for Animal Health for status as “FMD-free where vaccination is not practiced.” If the application is approved next May, Taiwan will become the second FMD-free country in East Asia after Japan, and we will be able to resume exporting pork products around the world. Last month, the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering adopted an evaluation report on Taiwan’s anti-money laundering regime, confirming the nation’s placement in the “regular follow-up” category. Our rise to this most favorable review category is certain to bring significant benefits to the financial industry and the nation overall. All of these outstanding achievements have been made possible through close collaboration between the people and the government. Now, I’d like to report on the Executive Yuan’s recent work in policy implementation and the outcomes of that work. Boosting the economy through practical action As the trade war between the U.S. and China continues to rattle trade and financial markets around the world, we’ve rolled out three major programs to boost investment in Taiwan: an action plan to bring back investments from overseas Taiwanese businesses, an investment acceleration program for companies that have remained in Taiwan, and a similar program for small and medium-sized enterprises. The overseas Taiwanese businesses action plan has met with an overwhelming response from the community, with 134 companies approved so far to invest nearly NT$600 billion (US$19.3 billion) in Taiwan, which altogether will create more than 50,000 jobs.  Thanks to support from the Legislature, the Statute for Industrial Innovation was amended in July, extending tax incentives 10 more years, creating tax breaks for investments in smart machinery and 5G technology, and encouraging companies to invest their earnings in tangible assets. These changes will create a stable business environment where companies can invest, innovate and expand with greater confidence. The Management, Utilization, and Taxation of Repatriated Offshore Funds Act also took effect August 15, providing tax benefits for individuals or profit-seeking enterprises who send offshore funds back to Taiwan and invest those funds in real assets. The Executive Yuan continues to improve Taiwan’s investment environment. In terms of electricity supplies, the government over the past three years has modified energy resource policies to raise the share of renewable energy in the nation’s energy mix. As new generators at the Linkou, Tongxiao and Dalin power plants gradually come online, Taiwan is expected to achieve a 15 percent reserve margin and 10 percent operating reserve for this year and next, providing reliable electricity and satisfying the energy demands of repatriating companies.  To provide more room for industries to grow, the Executive Yuan in April broadened the scope of an industrial zone “vertical expansion” program. This will add substantially to the supply of industrial-use land, with more than 1,800 hectares to be made available to companies over three years.  As for water, the government has a four-part policy approach consisting of new resource development, water conservation, water allocation and emergency backup supplies. We are also pushing a range of water infrastructure projects under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program to ensure reliable supplies for businesses and homes.  To promote 5G technology in Taiwan, in May the Executive Yuan approved a nationwide action plan that will invest NT$20 billion (US$644.3 million) over four years. As Taiwan prepares to enter the 5G era next year, we will speed up the release of 5G licenses, encourage interdisciplinary cooperation among operators, and expedite the arrival of such conveniences and benefits as autonomous vehicles, smart factories and the internet of things (IoT). Artificial intelligence (AI) can be described as the heart of the fourth industrial revolution. Under the AI Taiwan Action Plan, the nation’s first self-driving vehicle testing ground began operations in Tainan’s Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City this past February. The Civil IoT Taiwan public information network was also set up to monitor natural disasters and track air quality.  The government will integrate AI with information and communications technology to manage the National Health Insurance (NHI) system and develop medical treatment applications. The NHI MediCloud system was established to allow physicians—with patient consent—to access medical images and lab test results, making doctor visits more convenient for patients while improving the quality of care. The use of AI when combined with prediction and prevention concepts can effectively shorten diagnosis time and improve accuracy, as well as bring considerable health care benefits to the nation. Green energy is poised to become a future driver of economic growth. The government is therefore building Taiwan into a major hub for Asia’s offshore wind technology industries, with investment in domestic offshore wind power estimated to break NT$8 billion (US$257.7 million) this year. By 2025, the industry is expected to generate over NT$1 trillion (US$32.2 billion) in total investment, create 20,000 jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by 11.92 million metric tons annually. Taking care of the vulnerable, protecting livelihoods, and ensuring a secure and prosperous way of life A problem for the people, no matter how small, is a big matter to the government. Lowering taxes, simplifying taxation procedures, and protecting lives and property are all important objectives for this administration. This May, wage earners saw considerable cuts in their tax bills thanks to increases in four types of individual income tax deductions. And in July, the Income Tax Act was amended to provide a special deduction of NT$120,000 (US$3,866) for long-term care expenses (to take effect for next year’s tax filing season), easing the burden on families of the elderly and disabled.  To help give young parents the courage to marry and start families, the government has crafted a formal policy response to the declining birth rate designed to alleviate the burden of childrearing. Measures include broadening the coverage of childrearing allowances, expanding public education and care facilities, and creating a “quasi-public” system by subsidizing costs for private education and care facilities. For children ages 0-2, public and quasi-public facilities now offer nearly 74,000 slots. For children ages 2-4, meanwhile, those same facilities are able to provide close to 320,000 opportunities for affordable education.  As part of efforts to meet housing needs for vulnerable groups and young adults, the government is constructing new social housing units (over 40,000 built in the last three years) and providing units subleased from private owners and managed on the owners’ behalf. This means more options for young people and families unable to purchase homes of their own. The government also launched a new program this month to subsidize rent for young singles, newlywed couples, and families with minor children. For disadvantaged students, subsidies are provided for off-campus housing.  In May, the Executive Yuan approved a four-year, NT$9.5 billion (US$306 million) program to invest in the careers of young people. Aside from providing steady employment support for people ages 15-29, the program will smooth the transition from graduation to the workplace, and cultivate the type of talent needed to transform and upgrade Taiwan’s key industries.  Thanks to support from the Legislature, four major laws on child and youth protection were amended during the previous legislative session: the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act, the Criminal Code of the Republic of China, the Teachers’ Act and the Family Education Act. These changes enable authorities to provide early intervention services to children and youth to better ensure their safety and well-being. In March of last year, Taiwan officially became an “aged society.” To tackle the challenges and problems that come with such a population shift, the government is redoubling efforts toward creating an age-friendly environment. In July, the Executive Yuan introduced a first-of-its-kind bill to boost employment for middle-aged and elderly people, designed to encourage social engagement among healthy older individuals and make use of this valuable pool of talent. Since the launch of the long-term care 2.0 plan in 2017, the government’s long-term care budget has risen from less than NT$5 billion (US$154.7 million) in 2016 to NT$33.8 billion (US$1.1 billion) in 2019, and is expected to grow to nearly NT$40 billion (US$1.3 billion) next year, a 700 percent increase over that time period. Beyond expanding the number of people eligible for care and increasing the types of services available, these funds are also being used to construct more community service centers, which now tally at over 7,000. The number of long-term care recipients surpassed 200,000 in the first seven months of this year, while the wait for post-hospitalization long-term care has dropped from 62 days at the start of the plan in 2017 to seven days currently.  In addition to the special long-term care tax deduction I mentioned earlier, we introduced a subsidy this October for families of residents in long-term care facilities, offering up to NT$60,000 (US$1,933) per person per year. The government will also invest heavily in the development of live-in care resources to allow every person in need of long-term care to access quality and affordable institutional services close to home. In the area of public health protection, this year we lowered the threshold for hepatitis C treatments, doubled the NHI budget for new hepatitis C drugs, and upgraded all government-funded flu vaccinations to quadrivalent vaccines.  To encourage domestic tourism and spur private-sector consumption, the government rolled out three different winter and spring travel subsidy programs from November 2018 through the first half of this year. We also approved a program offering stimulus and guidance to traditional retailers, which will help 30,000 merchants in 200 shopping districts improve their digital capabilities and adopt mobile payments.  To narrow the digital divide between urban and rural areas, we are bringing telecommunication services to every corner of the country. The average coverage rate of broadband internet in remote areas has reached 97.4 percent, and all 768 villages in 86 rural townships now enjoy access to broadband service. Even the cell base station atop Yushan’s north peak—the highest in Northeast Asia—became operational last month.  Mobile payments are an important tool in our campaign to build digital lifestyles and create a smart nation. Since the effort began more than two years ago, Taiwan’s mobile payment adoption rate has doubled from 24 percent in 2016 to more than 50 percent presently. Looking ahead, we will amend regulations to integrate mobile payments with electronic stored value cards and permit interbank mobile payment services. These changes will accelerate the development of mobile payments and bring greater convenience to consumers. Raising wages, reducing financial burdens, and responding quickly to public opinion Increasing wages for working people remains a priority. Beginning January next year, the nation’s minimum wages will be raised again, with the higher rates expected to benefit 1.83 million monthly wage earners and 480,000 hourly based workers. Since taking office in 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen’s government has hiked minimum wages four times, bringing the monthly rate from NT$20,008 (US$619) to NT$23,800 (US$767), a cumulative increase of nearly 20 percent. The hourly minimum has likewise risen more than 30 percent, from NT$120 (US$3.71) to NT$158 (US$5.09).  To avoid double taxation and lighten the public’s tax obligations, we combed through and discussed various outdated aspects of the tax code in response to popular will. The Executive Yuan has already delivered a proposal to the Legislature to eliminate the stamp tax, and I respectfully request that you support it. Should the proposal be approved, the central government stands ready to make up the resulting lost tax revenues at the local level.  Taiwan’s motorcycle industry plays an important role in meeting people’s daily needs. The government will pursue future development that places equal emphasis on internal combustion and electric vehicles. We will encourage motorcycle manufacturers to develop both electrical technologies and high-quality, low-emission fuel-burning technologies. Plans also call for providing traditional repair and maintenance outlets with basic training in electric motorcycle care, and preferential financing for technical upgrades and shop renovation. To speed the replacement of older-model trucks, motorcycles, taxis and school buses, the government will offer tax breaks and subsidies. The hope is to further reduce air pollution while alleviating expenses for vehicle owners.  Over the past eight months, we have seen African swine fever in China spread to Vietnam, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. The government has taken a number of preventative steps: tightening border controls, raising fines, guiding farmers toward safer pig feeding practices, and improving tracking and controls in the transportation chain. These measures have proven successful at blocking an outbreak here at home, ensuring that the people of Taiwan have pork to eat, and the pig farming industry remains robust. The government has also injected resources into every area of the agricultural and fisheries industries in order to reduce the operational burden on farmers and fishermen. This includes NT$800 million (US$25.8 million) in subsidies for small-scale farming equipment to help ameliorate labor shortages experienced in rural communities. Also included is NT$1 billion (US$32.2 million) to pay for improvements in basic fisheries infrastructure, which began this August. Furthermore, in November 2018 the government launched an occupational injury insurance program for farmers aimed at increasing agricultural worker safety and providing compensation. An insurance pilot program covering disaster damage has also been rolled out for 16 types of agricultural products. To ground such insurance initiatives in law and expand the scope of coverage, the Executive Yuan has drafted and sent to this body an agricultural insurance bill for your review. Our goal is to stabilize incomes for workers in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and animal husbandry sectors so that they no longer have to rely solely on the whims of Mother Nature. Beginning in January 2020, the monthly welfare allowance for elderly farmers will rise from NT$7,256 (US$234) to NT$7,550 (US$243). Future efforts will concentrate on gradually building up a retirement system for farmers to complement existing protections provided by health insurance, occupational injury insurance and agricultural insurance, creating a comprehensive security net for agricultural workers. Showing national strength through revived culture, high technology and progressive education The Cultural Fundamental Act went into effect in June this year, marking an important milestone on the road toward stronger national cultural fundamentals. The law establishes national foundational principles and administrative guidelines for the development of culture. June also saw the establishment of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency. Adopting the concept of “national teams,” the government provides support in content industry areas such as the audiovisual and musical arts, traditional and digital publishing, and technical cultural applications and supporting technology, thereby acting as the fuel to propel long-term market growth. The government has invested over NT$15 billion (US$483.2 million) in its “spheres of culture” project as part of efforts to improve both soft and hard infrastructure under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. Resources are also being directed to raise the quality and quantity of domestic creative works, as well as the scale of production. Such outstanding works as the television series “The World Between Us” serve as cultural ambassadors to the world and demonstrate the success of digital creative content under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. As for cultural equality, the government set up television stations catering to the Hakka and indigenous communities many years ago. This year a special subsidy has gone toward establishing a Taiwanese-language station, which began programming on July 1 this year. It is now available through multimedia-on-demand platforms and all major cable television providers. To preserve and develop Hakka language and culture, and bring new vitality to Hakka villages, the Executive Yuan has approved six initiatives, including a development project to mainstream the Hakka way of life. Around NT$15.6 billion (US$502.5 million) has been budgeted for these efforts. Plans call for assembling a body of Hakka knowledge at the national level, training a national Hakka arts and culture troupe, and promoting Hakka programming and talent development. Also to be funded are the construction of northern and southern Hakka cultural parks, and the creation of a conducive environment for developing local industry in Hakka villages. In June this year the Education Act for Indigenous Peoples was amended to further secure education rights for this group. The revisions will help complete the environment for indigenous education, nurture future talent, and ensure the preservation and development of indigenous heritage. New national curriculum guidelines have been officially introduced for the 2019 school year, aimed at fostering creativity, independent thinking, interdisciplinary skills and practical abilities. The changes are the first time that Taiwan’s 12-year basic education curriculum guidelines have been revised and remapped, and include completely new coursework, teaching methods and approaches to learning. Our hope is that every child will now have adaptive learning resources as they grow to become lifelong learners and socially responsible, internationally minded modern citizens. Success on the sports field is one thing that brings a nation together. The Executive Yuan has approved the third phase of the National Sports Park Establishment and Talent Development Plan, which calls for the investment of NT$6.3 billion (US$203 million) over five years. The government has also allocated NT$600 million (US$19.3 million) to provide suitable logistical support for athletes who will compete in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. This includes individually customized training and assistance with setting up such training and support teams.  Our appreciation for success extends beyond the athletic field. To train stand-out technical and vocational students and optimize their school environments, the government is investing NT$8 billion (US$257.7 million) over four years in the Job Ready Skills Program under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. Additionally, the Higher Education Sprout Project was rolled out in 2018 to improve teaching and training facilities at technical colleges, vocational schools and universities, with a five-year budget of NT$30 billion (US$966.4 million). Prize amounts for skills competitions have also been raised. The ultimate goal is to provide the means for Taiwan’s young people to use their special skills to play a meaningful role in the world. This year marks the 50th anniversary of man’s first steps on the moon. The first project I signed off on as premier was the third phase of Taiwan’s Long-term National Space Technology Development Program. Funding for this phase amounts to NT$25.1 billion (US$808.6 million) over 10 years.  June of this year saw the successful launch and deployment of the FORMOSAT-7 satellite constellation. With six individual satellites, this project is the largest Taiwan-U.S. technical and research collaboration to date, and will provide even more accurate meteorological data to help protect life and property on the ground. In the coming years we will continue our research and technological development, and build a thriving aerospace industry in Taiwan. Protecting democracy, defending our values, and realizing transitional justice To curb the spread of harmful misinformation, the government has already drafted and passed amendments to several laws. Still awaiting passage by the Legislative Yuan are changes to the Criminal Code of the Republic of China and the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces. I ask that you support these amendments as well for the sake of our national security. The Executive Yuan is cooperating with third-party organizations and social media platforms to broaden the scope of fact-finding and rebuttal efforts and quickly provide the most accurate information to the public. As for same-sex marriage, the government this year passed the Act for Implementation of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748, a piece of dedicated legislation that respects both the referendum result of last November and the Judicial Yuan’s constitutional interpretation. The law took effect on May 24, and I want to thank legislators from all parties and the public for your support and open-mindedness. Together we have realized marriage equality in Taiwan. Now two people of the same sex can enjoy the protections of marriage, making our nation one of mutual respect and camaraderie. This step has also shown the world Taiwan’s progress toward human rights protections.  Next January we will hold elections for the nation’s president and vice president, along with the members of the Legislature. To ensure fairness, incorruptibility and a smooth completion of the election process, I have issued strict directives to the relevant ministries and agencies to thoroughly investigate all allegations of vote-buying, maintain peace and order, and prevent the influence of foreign powers. By devoting efforts to guarantee a fair, problem-free election, we will enable the voters of Taiwan to elect the most capable talent to lead the nation toward greater progress and peace. Upholding national sovereignty, strengthening national defense, and pursuing steadfast diplomacy Self-sufficiency in the construction of military aircraft and vessels contributes to weapons research and development capabilities and bolsters national defense and autonomy. Taiwan’s domestically produced training jets will take to the skies for the first time next year. Our indigenous submarine program is already underway, with the goal of commissioning new vessels in 2025.  To help enhance Taiwan’s defensive combat ability and maintain our overall national security and regional stability, the government has on multiple occasions secured U.S. approval for military equipment procurements. Following the acquisition of M1A2 Abrams tanks, Taiwan now plans to purchase 66 new F-16V Block 70 jet fighters. As a responsible member of the international community, we will continue to invest in stronger national security. Taiwan conducts diplomacy from a position of disadvantage. In the face of China’s unrelenting pressure, we rely on national solidarity to steadfastly forge ahead and promote foreign relations. President Tsai visited four Caribbean allies in July this year, where she advanced closer exchanges and cooperation on such fronts as medicine, agriculture, education, finance, transportation and public safety. During her transit in the U.S., the president set new precedents for personal diplomacy by Taiwan’s head of state. Her trip not only produced a hard-won breakthrough, but also demonstrated once again the steady development of Taiwan-U.S. relations following the passage of favorable legislation such as the Taiwan Travel Act and the National Defense Authorization Act, as well as the U.S. House’s passage of the Taiwan Assurance Act. As for the promotion of the New Southbound Policy, trade and travel between Taiwan and targeted countries in the first half of 2019 grew compared with the same period last year. Trade volume reached US$54.2 billion, including US$23.2 billion in imports into Taiwan, and we saw 1.36 million visits from New Southbound nations. Furthermore, we use soft power to engage these countries in such areas as medicine, agriculture, tourism, technology and culture. Through related cooperative mechanisms Taiwan extends a helping hand to Asia and welcomes the same in return, thereby contributing to the global community and increasing our international presence. Moving full-speed ahead toward national progress On April 10 this year, mankind photographed a black hole for the first time. This feat was accomplished using eight radio telescopes from around the world and required two years of image processing. Teams from Taiwan took part in the operation or construction of three of those telescopes. At home the government is promoting the use of the Taiwan Photon Source synchrotron radiation facility, dubbed the “world’s brightest microscope.” We have been pushing the manufacture of smart machinery for several years, and Taiwan is now the second-largest exporter of four-side molders, nuts, and bolts. Additionally, Taiwan is set this year to become the largest and fastest-growing semiconductor equipment market in the world, according to a forecast by the global industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.  As for Taiwan’s democracy, international human rights organization Freedom House gave Taiwan a score of 93, the second highest in Asia, in its Freedom in the World 2019 survey released in February. There are perhaps many among us who have yet to realize just how unusual and unique Taiwan’s accomplishments are, and that the nation does wield a certain level of influence in global affairs. This success however belongs to the people, businesses and government of Taiwan. All have worked tirelessly to build a better nation. We are one country, one Taiwan. We need the cooperation and solidarity of all to face challenges both at home and abroad. By bringing together the power of all political parties and Taiwan as a whole, we can overcome these challenges. We will push forward together and continue our upward climb. <上版日期>108-09-27 <更新日期>108-10-15 <發布日期>108-10-15 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/986c86f9-2eea-44a1-8c6a-870adbf6a382 <標題>Premier Su Tseng-chang’s oral policy report to 7th session of 9th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected sections from the premier’s report. Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: On January 14 of this year, after a 13-year remove, I answered the call of fate to once again take up the heavy responsibility of the premiership. As for this second chance to serve the public, I can only say that my heart is filled with my duty to the people and my passion for Taiwan. I want to thank former Premier Lai Ching-te for his intense dedication to governing the nation and expanding reforms over the past year-plus. Now comes the time for the new Cabinet to build upon the solid foundation laid down by Premier Lai by quickly responding to the people’s concerns and building a record of accomplishments. The guiding principle for my team at the Executive Yuan is simplifying government for the convenience of the public. Going forward, the implementation of all policies will begin with the people’s perspective in mind. Fewer constraints in place means greater convenience for the people. From now on the government must act as a team that is grounded in the will of the people and able to get things done, implementing measures to accelerate benefits and convenience for the public, and taking action to solve the problems that concern the public. We want the people to understand that the government stands at their side, and at the very first instance will make sure they know what the government has accomplished on their behalf. Now I would like to present to this august body my plans for the course of government. Safety and security In my first oral policy report to the Legislature as premier 13 years ago, I proclaimed that shame tarnishes a government that cannot provide the people with the safety and security to go about life and work. This has been a mantra of mine ever since I entered public service. Law and order is at the foundation of the people’s peace of mind, and the campaign against illegal drugs is the first step to achieving that law and order. The government must make the fight against narcotics a priority, keep young people away from drugs, and vastly remedy the drug problem in Taiwan. To complement the new enforcement regimen under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act and the launch of the anti-drug fund, I’m asking that the responsible agencies take action, work closely together across administrative boundaries and strike hard against narcotics, eliminate them from the streets and trace supplies back to the source. We must encourage the people to take a firm stand and prevent drugs from entering our communities and schools. As for cases of child abuse, the government will take on the responsibility to fully resource social welfare centers and assign sufficient social workers. We will implement three levels of child protection services, encourage people to report abuse, and take early action to provide encompassing protections. In drafting amendments to the Criminal Code of the Republic of China, we want to strictly punish violence and are seeking to increase penalties in aggravated cases where abuse results in death or serious injury. I respectfully ask that the Legislature move quickly to complete the review of these amendments. Drunk driving robs innocent lives and leaves countless families heartbroken. To prevent driving under the influence and ensure that our streets are safe, the government will stage a strict crackdown on intoxicated drivers, as well as formulate amendments as soon as possible that put deaths from drunk driving on the same level as premeditated homicide. In addition, we will propose administrative measures to more effectively keep drunk drivers off the road. African swine fever cannot be treated too lightly. On my very first day in office, I ordered that 100 percent of carry-on baggage coming from affected areas be searched. International travelers who illegally bring pork products into the country are fined. I also required that pig farms using kitchen scraps to feed their animals have high-temperature steaming or boiling equipment inspected and approved by environmental authorities, or switch to using prepared feed. Finally, short, medium and long-term plans are in place for ending the use of kitchen scraps should there be an outbreak of the disease. It’s my hope that the public and pork producers can come together and work with the government to protect Taiwan’s pork industry. So that the public can eat with confidence, the government is implementing a five-point food safety policy, as well as promoting the local sourcing of school lunches. Schools in all 22 counties and cities of Taiwan are now taking part in this program. The Toxic Chemical Substances Control Act was amended on January 16, which expands the range of risky chemical substances subject to controls intended to prevent their introduction into the food supply chain. Economy first In the midst of global economic shifts driven by the trade dispute between the U.S. and China, effectively stimulating domestic demand through investment and consumption is key to maintaining economic growth at home. We are accelerating the promotion of the “five plus two” innovative industries plan and the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. Government investment will lead to investment by the private sector, and the government will help remove all barriers that may keep companies from investing. We will also restructure the tax system to lighten the burden on the public. Further, through such measures as encouraging domestic tourism, subsidizing the purchase of energy-saving devices by the public, and phasing out and replacing older vehicles, we will stimulate domestic consumption. The government has put in place an action plan to draw overseas Taiwanese companies back to invest in Taiwan. Guided by the needs of businesses, the plan calls for dedicated single-window service to help arrange land, water, power and workforce, as well as provide assistance with taxation and financing. We are also currently working on legislation to promote foreign capital investment in Taiwan and attract overseas Taiwanese companies to invest in strategic sectors back home, which will drive the upgrade of domestic industry. The drive to invest in Taiwan has already drawn an enthusiastic response from major domestic firms. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Winbond, Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc., and Powerchip Technology Corp. have all channeled funds into the construction of new facilities locally, and created many job opportunities in the process. Taiwan’s pool of research and development (R&D) talent has caught the attention of such global giants as Microsoft, Google, IBM and Cisco, all of which have announced or undertaken plans to invest in Taiwan by establishing innovative R&D hubs or data centers. These moves not only demonstrate a positive outlook toward Taiwan’s future, but also are indicative of these companies’ confidence in and admiration for the nation’s democratic rule of law and data security environment. Last year the value of Taiwan’s agricultural exports hit US$5.47 billion, a 20-year high. Agricultural exports to China alone grew by 23 percent, setting a new record at US$1.27 billion. Taiwan also saw farm exports to the New Southbound Policy countries of Singapore and Malaysia grow by about 18 percent each. We will continue to develop new markets in the future and devote full efforts to helping farmers with exports. To achieve our goal of a nuclear-free homeland, the government is stepping up the promotion of renewable energy. The Ministry of Economic Affairs last year completed site selection and price bidding for offshore wind farm construction, and at the end of this January announced feed-in tariff rates for solar and wind energy projects. With government and industry working together, Taiwan will develop a complete supply chain for renewable energy and attract even more transnational enterprises to invest in the domestic green energy market. In order to develop the next generation of industry and enable young people to realize their dreams, the government is promoting an action plan to tailor the investment environment to encourage the formation of startup companies. We are also implementing the Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Program, using such technologies as artificial intelligence, big data and the internet of things to drive the upgrade of industry and development of innovative tech. Our first release of 5G spectrum is expected to be complete by 2020, when Taiwan will join the rest of the world in welcoming the new era of 5G communications. In addition, the Executive Yuan has proclaimed this year as the “inaugural year of regional revitalization.” With the help of the central government, regions throughout Taiwan will put resources to good use to build up local industry, highlight proud local specialties, establish a foundation for growth, and move toward self-sufficiency. These efforts will not only create local jobs, but also draw young people back to smaller towns and communities, where all can enjoy newly revitalized hometowns. Proud culture The appreciation of culture is a sign of national development. The Ministry of Culture’s budget for 2019 rose by 11 percent from the previous year. Adding in special budget funding from the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program pushes the increase to 23 percent. As part of efforts to advance cultural equality, the national languages development act went into effect on January 9 of this year. The legislation ensures that all of Taiwan’s local languages and dialects can be revived and developed equally. The Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts officially opened on October 13 last year. Together with Taipei’s National Theater and Concert Hall and the National Taichung Theater, Taiwan’s three national-level performance centers cover the northern, central and southern areas of the country, helping to bring balanced development of the arts. Current efforts are now focused on completing additional cultural infrastructure, including the Taipei Music Center, Kaohsiung Music Center, and a comics museum in Taichung, to provide fertile soil for the continued expression of Taiwan’s unique culture. Additionally, legislation to establish a cultural content promotion institute took effect this January 9. The goal of the law is to strengthen Taiwan’s soft power by forming a national cultural brand and increasing the exposure of national culture both at home and abroad, using the concept of a national team. We have also invested over NT$4.7 billion (US$152 million) in the regeneration of historic sites over the last two years, providing guidance to 19 county and city governments working on 29 separate projects. In addition, work continues on the Romantic Provincial Highway 3. By matching a renaissance of Hakka culture to industrial restructuring, this project will attract young people back to rural areas. Bolstering the propagation and development of indigenous languages and cultures remains a focus, with work also covering such areas as advancing industry in indigenous regions and building up native townships, as well as eliminating the digital divide between indigenous residents and the rest of Taiwan. Helping the disadvantaged To maintain quality of life for senior citizens, the government will implement rolling reviews of the effectiveness of the long-term care 2.0 program, speed deployment of resources, and increase the safety and quality of services provided by long-term care organizations. We will also provide financial inclusion programs for the elderly, the disadvantaged and residents of remote areas. To ensure that less fortunate families and students need not go hungry, the Executive Yuan every year budgets NT$2.1 billion (US$68 million) to fund lunches for disadvantaged school children. The Ministry of Health and Welfare coordinates with the private sector to deliver in-kind aid at more than 200 food banks throughout Taiwan. Beginning in September 2018, students who borrow money to finance their educations can enjoy relaxed repayment terms as a result of government efforts to reduce the burden on young people just starting careers. Major revisions to the Housing Act in 2017 are also helping to solve the issue of housing for young people and the underprivileged, by establishing a stable mechanism for the promotion of social housing. On January 30 of this year, amendments to the Urban Renewal Act took effect, which together with the Statute for Expediting Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings and the already legislated National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center, will hasten the effective promotion of urban renewal and expedite the rebirth of Taiwan’s cities. To ensure a baseline standard of life for workers, the government instituted a new minimum wage at the beginning of this year, setting NT$23,100 (US$749) per month and NT$150 (US$4.86) per hour as the new minimums. Also, to lighten the tax burden on salaried employees and families with children, we raised the amounts of four types of income tax deductions. To help complete an insurance system for agricultural workers to provide for their security, a test implementation of an agricultural workers insurance scheme began in November of last year. The goal is to guarantee appropriate economic compensation to workers and their families in the event of an injury or accident on the job. Protecting democracy As the true meaning of democracy is that the people are sovereign, the Executive Yuan respects the results of last year’s national referendum votes on November 24, and will pursue implementation in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Referendum Act. In response to the passage of the referendum on repealing Article 95, Paragraph 1 from the Electricity Act, on December 11 of last year the Executive Yuan sent draft amendments to Article 95 to this body for review. On the referendum question of gradually reducing electricity generated by thermal power plants by 1 percent annually, there are no plans in the future for any new construction or expansion of existing coal-fired facilities. As thermal generation falls, green energy will make up for the lost capacity. Taking the three principles of stable supply, lower air pollution and reasonable pricing as guides, the government will seek an ideal mix of energy resources. As for marriage equality, the Executive Yuan will uphold the constitutional interpretation of the Judicial Yuan’s justices and the results of the national referendum to research and write a bill within the time specified by the Referendum Act, which will then be sent to this body for review and debate. In response to the vote on the referendum opposing the import of food and agricultural products originating from areas in Japan affected by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on March 11, 2011, the government will give priority to food safety and the health of the public as we undertake a comprehensive risk assessment and dialogue. There is no timetable for controls on foodstuffs from Japan, and the government will continue communicating with the Japanese government in the spirit of the World Trade Organization. The problem of “fake news” harms social stability and strikes at national security. Taking into account both freedom of speech and an orderly society, the government has a responsibility to investigate and refute fake news immediately, as well as make appropriate amendments to the law. The Executive Yuan has already sent the draft revisions to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, the Agricultural Products Market Transaction Act, and other legislation countering fake news to this body for review and debate. In the future we will work with the public, third-party verification organizations, and platform operators to ensure the public good and solidify Taiwan’s democratic system. Regardless of the scare tactics and pressure applied by China, Taiwan has always sought to preserve a stable peace in the Taiwan Strait and the region. However, Taiwan’s sovereignty cannot be diminished. Our nation is an indispensable member of the world community. We will integrate the strengths of the government and private sector to actively pursue steadfast diplomacy and strengthen national defenses. We will join in regional economic integration and international organizations with a resolve to defend ourselves and win global support for Taiwan. A better Taiwan Last year we saw sudden changes on the international stage, the trade conflict between the U.S. and China, and the threats to the security of the Asia-Pacific. Taiwan, too, has come to a critical point, with transformational changes in industry and demography. Only with solidarity among the ruling and opposition parties, cooperation between the central and local governments, cooperation between the government and the private sector, and cooperation between Taiwan and its partners in the international community, can we calm the troubling waters and advance into a new environment. I will lead my Cabinet as we roll up our sleeves to follow the will of the people, assuage public discontent, get real work done, and charge ahead with the public as one. <上版日期>108-02-15 <更新日期>108-03-14 <發布日期>108-03-14 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/c8571cc3-fc03-4afb-b2ad-a1413856b1d2 <標題>Premier Lai Ching-te’s oral policy report to 6th session of 9th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of selected sections from the premier’s report. Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: Empowered by the Legislature’s passage of the Act on Promoting Transitional Justice, the Executive Yuan established the Transitional Justice Commission (TJC) to provide society with an opportunity to reconcile and come together after having been split by past oppression. Our pledge to the people of Taiwan is to realize transitional justice and strengthen the development of democracy. This goal goes beyond political parties and represents a common value shared and treasured by all people. Unfortunately, recent inappropriate comments by former TJC Deputy Chairman Chang Tien-chin not only damaged the commission’s reputation and sowed division, but also caused conflict in society at large. For this I want to personally apologize to the nation. The Executive Yuan will set up a task force to clarify this episode and establish the facts of the case, in order to make clear to the public that the independent, fair and objective role of the TJC will not change as the result of any particular incident. The commission remains committed to the sacred mission of pursuing justice through such means as bringing transparency to past political cases in accordance with the law, removing authoritarian symbols, addressing past injustices, and setting straight the historical record. Beginning last year, we have seen great upheavals in international politics and the global economy. Tensions between the U.S. and China grow by the day, challenging the security of the Asia-Pacific region. Beijing has relentlessly pursued a policy against Taiwan with sharply political motives, and continues to suppress our ability to participate in the international community. Here in Taiwan, the transformation of industrial and energy policy has reached a critical stage, and shifting demographics are shaking society. It is the undeniable responsibility of government to address these issues. Taiwan has never shrunk from challenges in the past. Thanks to the leadership of President Tsai Ing-wen, the support of the Legislature, and the combined efforts of the Executive Yuan and the people of Taiwan, the overall economy over the past two years has emerged from a period of stagnation. Together we have conquered lingering ills of many years, established a sustainable pension system, and removed barriers to corporate investment, thus enabling industry to innovate and upgrade, speeding investment in Taiwan. I.    Recent successes of policy and governance A.  A secure and prosperous working and living environment To invigorate the economy, I have personally hosted 22 interministerial meetings aimed at accelerating investment in Taiwan. At these meetings we have pushed for higher wages, lower taxes, relaxed laws and regulations, increased flexibility in the labor market, and an improved environment for investment. Also on the agenda is the resolution of the “five shortages” stifling business growth: land, water, electricity, manpower and skilled workers. These efforts have brought increased investment and the construction of new facilities by such major domestic players as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Winbond, ASE Technology Holding Co., and Powerchip Technology Corp., with a concomitant jump in employment opportunities. The development of the digital economy and new technologies has become an index for rising national competitiveness. To achieve Taiwan’s digital transformation, the Executive Yuan has initiated the Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Program (also known as DIGI+), an action plan for improving the environment for investing in startups, the AI Taiwan Action Plan, and an action plan for financial development. Taiwan should now take a number of steps to build on its lead in semiconductors and smart machinery: complete basic infrastructure; cultivate science, technology, engineering and mathematics talent; and tailor the legal and regulatory environment to advantage the development of the digital economy. Such efforts will equip young people with the ability to use new technologies, enable us to exploit our knowledge and creativity to invent new modes of commerce, engender an environment to support sustainable business operations, and raise the nation’s overall competitiveness. Taiwan has many “soft power” strengths, especially when it comes to the quality and culture of our engineers. Such advantages have already succeeded in attracting the likes of Microsoft, Google and IBM to establish R&D centers for artificial intelligence (AI) in Taiwan. We actively encourage startup ventures to develop AI using blockchain technology and big data. We look forward to seeing not just the emergence of a “unicorn” (a privately held startup company valued at over US$1 billion), but also the establishment of numerous legions of startup companies that will lead Taiwan toward its future as a smart tech nation by fostering technological innovation and carrying industry to the next level. To speed the development of the emerging green energy industry and achieve the goal of a nuclear-free homeland, the government is presently engaged in a full-scale project to promote energy transformation. In the area of solar power, we have a two-year objective to install 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. By 2020 the total capacity installed will rise to 6.5 GW. Figures show that the production value throughout the entire solar power industry supply chain reached NT$210 billion (US$6.8 billion), and solar facilities generated 1.69 billion kilowatt-hours in 2017. With respect to offshore wind power, our development strategy calls for demonstration sites first, then potential sites, then entire zones. Between April and June of this year, offshore sites were selected and bidding by contractors completed. Asia’s first commercial-scale wind farm will be finished by 2020, and by 2025 Taiwan will have 14 wind farms constructed by seven separate developers, with an overall generating capacity of 5.5 GW. On one hand we will attract foreign companies to invest in Taiwan, while on the other we can make use of their experience and technology to complete basic infrastructure, nurture our own domestic wind power industry, and build an entire ecosystem for wind power in Taiwan. In addition to our focus on the economy, the Executive Yuan has continued with its new generation antidrug strategy. This policy brings together prosecutors, police, investigators, military police, customs and the coast guard to carry out a united war on drugs, with joint regional prevention efforts and a push to track drugs back to their sources and block them there. Authorities carried out two nationwide sweeps in February and June, aimed at providing safe and secure communities for the people of Taiwan. A total of 1,913 traffickers, manufacturers, and sellers of illegal narcotics were arrested, and almost 9,700 kilograms of drugs of all classes seized. Over the next four years the government will spend NT$10 billion (US$326.1 million) to properly staff and equip law enforcement in the fight against drugs. We will also oversee efforts by communities, schools and all levels of society to prevent drugs from entering Taiwan and protect the health of the nation’s people. B.  Response to demographic shift Births in Taiwan dropped below 200,000 last year. The national fertility rate sits at 1.125 births per woman, the third lowest in the world ahead of only Singapore and Macau. In March of this year we officially met the World Health Organization’s definition of an aged society. In response to this demographic transformation and fewer births, the Executive Yuan continues to promote the long-term care 2.0 plan to ease the transition to a graying population. We are accelerating the rollout of the three-tier system of community-based integrated service centers and building a service system that is easy to find, easy to access and eminently affordable. In the first eight months of this year, about 137,000 people used long-term care services, an increase of nearly 60 percent over the same period of last year. We also want to ease the economic burdens on young people, engineer a friendly environment for child raising, and improve the education and care of young children. To do this, the Executive Yuan is implementing such concrete strategies as expanding public day care and preschools, creating a mechanism to facilitate quasi-public day care and preschools, widening the scope of child-rearing subsidies to cover children aged 4 years and younger, and encouraging private enterprises to establish onsite day care for employees. This diverse and multichannel approach is aimed at lightening the weighty responsibility of raising children in order to increase the willingness of couples to start families. Our push to rapidly expand public child care will add 440 new public day care centers by 2022, which will accommodate over 5,000 children. At the same time, 2,247 new classes at public preschools will be opened to provide an additional 60,000 spaces for youngsters. Among all children enrolled in preschool, the percentage enrolled in public facilities will rise to 40 from the current 30 percent, a move that represents the largest-scale increase in such child care that the central government has ever taken. Of course, this transformation of day care and preschools will not happen overnight. Therefore we have established a separate mechanism to allow for affordable child care. Any in-home nanny, private day care center or private preschool that meets the necessary requirements can operate under a quasi-public model, which gives parents even more options. The quasi-public model provides subsidies to help cover the cost of private schools. For children up to the age of 2, a typical household receives NT$6,000 (US$196) per month to help pay for participating nannies and private day care centers. Larger families qualify for an additional NT$1,000 (US$33) per month for every child beyond the first two. Parents who send their children between the ages of 2 and 5 to quasi-public preschools will not have to pay more than NT$4,500 (US$147) per month per child, and for a third child or more, tuition will not exceed NT$3,500 (US$114) per month per child. Since the program began on August 1 of this year, 623 private day care centers have contracted under the quasi-public system, with 100 percent approved to participate. Of the roughly 14,000 nannies seeking to participate, about 62 percent qualified to join the system. These providers, together with wholly public day care, are able to fully meet current demand by supplying affordable care for 56,077 children. As for quasi-public preschools, they are first being implemented in cities and counties outside of Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung. At present 242 private preschools have been contracted, with additional applicants currently under review by respective local governments. With respect to child-rearing subsidies, the requirement that one parent be unemployed has been dropped, and now any family member may serve as a caregiver. Coverage has also been expanded from the previous newborn to 2 years old to now include children up to the age of 4. The program provides monthly payments of NT$2,500 (US$82), with an extra NT$1,000 (US$33) per child for families with more than two kids. In addition to the low number of births, Taiwan is also facing a shortage of workers as the working-age population declines. In response, we are following up the passage of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals with a law governing economic immigration, which will be sent to the Legislature for review once drafting is complete. Our goal is attract foreign professionals, foreign mid-level technicians and overseas compatriots and their progeny, without damaging the job prospects or wage standards of domestic workers. These newcomers will fill positions necessary for national economic development and ensure Taiwan’s competitiveness. C.  Balanced regional development Taiwan has long seen an imbalance of resources devoted to regional development, and this has opened a gap between urban and rural infrastructure. The majority of the population is concentrated in the north, putting tremendous pressure on the capital and special municipalities. To encourage more balanced development, the Executive Yuan sent a draft law on administrative zoning to the Legislature for review. With this law we hope to create a transparent and rational administrative zoning process, as well as establish a legal basis for all levels of government to undertake this work. This will also help overcome administrative bottlenecks faced by local governments and improve the efficiency of governance. Furthermore, the Executive Yuan is in the process of drafting amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. These amendments will even out the distribution of taxes, and provide increased tax revenues to local governments while maintaining the fiscal integrity of the central government. Governance will benefit by assuring a reasonable scale of finances at both the central and local levels. Prior to the completion of the amendments, however, the Executive Yuan has made use of existing mechanisms to ensure stable sources of revenue for local authorities and narrow the funding gap between special municipalities and other levels of local government. On May 21 of this year I held the Executive Yuan’s first local rejuvenation council, and declared 2019 as the inaugural year of local rejuvenation in Taiwan. We anticipate putting out a national strategic plan for local rejuvenation at the end of this year, which will involve identifying features unique to each locality or remote area, encouraging corporations to invest in rural and remote areas, using technology to attract young people to set up businesses, uncovering the prevailing community consciousness, integrating the applicable resources of ministries and agencies, and establishing brands. By bringing together people, land and industry, we will advance intra-island migration and relieve pressure on the major metropolises. With the free flow of people and capital, the goal of balanced development can be attained. D. Higher wages and lessened burdens To tackle the root causes of the low salary problem, we must boost investment in the nation, develop the economy and create more jobs. As the economy then grows, corporate profits will increase and in turn lift salary levels. For this reason, we have been pushing the “five plus two” innovative industries plan as well as the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program over the past two years to drive industrial upgrading and spur investment. We are confident these initiative will alleviate the problem of low wages over time. The Executive Yuan has also formulated an action plan to raise salaries for low-income workers through 10 major policies and 37 specific measures. Short-term measures include increasing public-sector compensation, including worker pay as a bonus criteria in the selection of government contractors, encouraging higher private-sector salaries, increasing pay transparency and raising hourly wages. Medium- to long-term measures include easing the burden shouldered by wage earners, improving the quality of the workforce, and closing the gap between student skills and industry needs. As we persist in pushing these policies, wage earners will reap the benefits of economic development and see their incomes rise progressively. In January this year, the government led the way by awarding a 3 percent pay hike for public employees, prompting many private companies to follow suit. According to a job bank survey, more than 50 percent of companies responded positively to the move by raising wages for their workers by more than 3 percent on average. To help disadvantaged workers, the government has adjusted the minimum wage three times since 2016. Starting next January, the monthly and hourly rates will climb to NT$23,100 (US$753) and NT$150 (US$4.89), respectively, making the term “22K” (expected starting monthly salary for a university graduate) a thing of the past. The government also employs a raft of measures to raise pay in specific professions, such as by increasing monthly and hourly pay for care service providers, adjusting academic research allowances for public college professors, raising seniority pay for police officers and firefighters of the rank police major level 4 and below, and increasing hourly wages for part-time and substitute elementary school teachers. In addition, we revised the Income Tax Act to increase the amounts of various deductions and lighten the tax burden on wage earners and families with children. One of the outcomes is that people earning less than NT$408,000 (US$13,304) a year will not have to pay personal income tax. Come tax season next year, taxpayers will see the tangible benefits of tax cuts. To ease student loan burdens on young people, we also rolled out new measures in September to introduce a four-year period when only interest on the loan must be paid, and relaxed eligibility requirements for payment deferments. And starting next year, all teaching assistants—whether “student” assistants or “employed” assistants—will be able to enjoy labor and health insurance. II. Active involvement in regional economic integration in response to the US-China trade war U.S. President Donald Trump’s unconventional trade policies have ratcheted up trade tensions between the United States and China, not only potentially unsettling financial markets and the global economy, but in the long term rewriting international trade rules that will necessarily affect the world’s trade system and the structure of international industry specialization. As a small and open economy highly reliant on foreign trade, Taiwan will not escape the impact given our close financial and trade relations with both the U.S. and Chinese economies. In light of these developments, the Executive Yuan is prepared to roll out comprehensive responsive measures for each stage of the U.S.-China trade conflict. We will endeavor to maintain stability in the overall economy and preserve Taiwan’s competitive advantages under the new trade order. If necessary, financial stabilization measures will be activated to assist affected industry groups, and we will not rule out expanding fiscal expenditures as a means of cushioning the blow from changes in the external environment. To take advantage of the shift in orders and production away from China, the Executive Yuan welcomes Taiwanese businesses abroad to move their production lines back home. With our advantages in manufacturing and industrial clusters, I am confident in Taiwan’s ability to navigate the challenges of the trade war. The government will provide tailored assistance to help China-based Taiwanese companies invest in or relocate production bases back to Taiwan. To help transform supply chains, we’ve also developed effective measures to assist businesses resolve issues such as shortages of land, water, electricity, manpower and skilled workers. Over the past couple of years, the amount of funds transferred from China back to Taiwan by just listed Taiwanese companies alone has exceeded NT$150 billion (US$4.9 billion). To harness this phenomenon, the Executive Yuan will draft legislation to encourage the return of overseas capital back to Taiwan. We will build a comprehensive system grounded in the principles of fair taxation, effective fund management, and steady economic growth, and direct repatriated funds into strategic sectors to promote the upgrade of domestic industries and revitalize the overall economy. In efforts to expand Taiwan’s global reach into more diverse markets, the Executive Yuan is stepping up promotion of the New Southbound Policy. By deepening economic and trade links with Southeast Asia along with South Asia, Australia and New Zealand, we can help Taiwanese businesses overcome operational problems they may encounter in those markets. The government is also reinforcing bilateral trade relations with the European Union to diversify Taiwan’s risks and avoid overdependence on a single market. To maintain proper trade order, the Executive Yuan will strengthen the mechanism for monitoring imports into Taiwan. For products imported in atypically large volumes, we will respond with timely and necessary defense measures in accordance with World Trade Organization rules to curb illegal transshipments. We will also vigorously seek Taiwan’s inclusion in the second round of entry talks for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Executive Yuan has initiated regulatory adjustments as part of preparations for Taiwan’s bid for membership, and we ask the Legislature to support five pieces of legislation we’ve submitted for your review: a digital communications bill, and amendments to the Trademark Act, the Patent Act, the Copyright Act and the Postal Act. III. The defense of national sovereignty, liberty, democracy and human rights China is on a mission to increase its military presence in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, frequently dispatching ships and aircraft to circumnavigate Taiwan and sail through island chains in the region. On the international level, it has taken such actions as obstructing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), pressuring global companies and airlines to change references to Taiwan, blocking Taiwan from hosting the East Asian Youth Games, and even prying away our diplomatic allies one by one. These are all acts of oppression on a level not seen before. And in February, China announced 31 incentive measures for Taiwan that on the surface appear favorable to Taiwan but in truth serve the interests of China. The purpose of these measures is to lure more talent, investment and technology from Taiwan to help China cope with the challenges of economic development and external trade expansion. China’s deliberate actions to unilaterally change the cross-strait status quo and forcefully bend Taiwan to its political will have not only heightened tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait but also affected peace in the broader Indo-Pacific region. After the severance of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and El Salvador, the U.S. State Department issued a statement saying that China is altering the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and undermining the framework that has enabled peace, stability and development for decades. The U.S. urged China to abstain from coercion that would jeopardize the security of Taiwan. The U.S. government also signaled backing for Taiwan by approving such legislation as the Taiwan Travel Act and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. These laws express clear support for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs, encourage visits between high-level officials from the U.S. and Taiwan, expand military exchanges and joint training exercises with Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s acquisition of defensive weapons through military sales and industrial cooperation. This demonstrates a consistent recognition by America’s executive and legislative branches of the importance of more robust U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on security matters. President Tsai’s state visit to diplomatic allies in Latin America this August saw her make transit stops in the U.S., where she was accorded high-level treatment and became the first Taiwanese president to tour a U.S. federal agency in an official capacity. The U.S. State Department in recent days reiterated that the United States will continue to support Taiwan, as it deems Taiwan a democratic success story, a reliable partner, and a force for good in the world. As well as the U.S., many other like-minded democratic nations have spoken out strongly in favor of Taiwan. The European Parliament (EP), for instance, voted overwhelmingly to adopt a report on the state of EU-China relations, wherein the EP in forceful terms denounced China for raising the danger of an escalation of cross-strait relations. The EP also called for the EU and its member states to do their utmost to urge China to refrain from further military provocation toward Taiwan. The international voices of support grew louder than ever at this year’s WHA, where our diplomatic allies and numerous other countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S. spoke up in support of Taiwan. In the face of mounting pressure from China, the Executive Yuan stands by President Tsai’s position that our goodwill will not change, our commitments will not change, and we will not bow to pressure. We hold firm and steadfast to such universal values as democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, and by no means will we waver in our determination. We’ll also carry on promoting and expanding substantive cooperation with friends, allies and like-minded nations, building ever closer partnerships, and vigorously pursuing our role as an advocate for international and regional peace. In efforts to protect our national sovereignty, we have increased our defense budget to reflect our resolve to self-defense. The Executive Yuan has also proposed amendments to the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, the Classified National Security Information Protection Act, and the National Security Act to bolster the regulatory aspect of our defense mechanism. The purposes of these draft amendments are threefold: to prevent illegal Chinese capital from entering Taiwan under the guise of foreign investment as part of China’s attempts to influence Taiwanese companies and steal key technologies; to strengthen efforts to investigate sources of fake news; and, in order to ensure the harmony and stability of our society, to enact necessary countermeasures to China’s issuance of residency permit cards to people from Taiwan which grant them some of the same rights as Chinese residents. IV. Challenges to be met for a nation united in strength Since I took office as premier more than a year ago, my Cabinet has risen dutifully to the nation’s challenges and trials with great courage. We will not shy away but will take up our responsibilities and transform these challenges into motivating forces. Taiwan is progressing, and the march of progress cannot be halted. We must build up Taiwan’s capabilities, lay the foundations for transformation, and engineer a better tomorrow for the people of Taiwan. At this critical juncture, I respectfully ask all of our esteemed legislators—regardless of political party or ideology—to continue supporting our policies and nation-building efforts as we endeavor to achieve sustainable development and create a peaceful and prosperous society for our citizens. It is my sincere hope that the executive and legislative branches will join hands, focus our energies on uniting Taiwan, and set our nation on a clear path toward an ever brighter future. Thank you! <上版日期>107-10-02 <更新日期>107-10-19 <發布日期>107-10-19 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/97d57a0c-cab0-4572-a284-77983f492fa5 <標題>Premier Lai Ching-te’s oral policy report to 5th session of 9th Legislature <內容>The following is a translation of the main points of the premier’s report. Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: I’d like to begin by thanking Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai and the members of the Legislative Yuan for passing the central government’s 2018 general budget and many other important bills during the previous legislative session. With the passage of the general budget, military personnel, teachers and civil servants saw salaries rise by 3 percent in January, and many businesses have followed suit. I’m confident that this move will increase consumer spending, expand domestic demand and charge economic activity. In addition, the passage of revisions to the Income Tax Act has brought Taiwan’s taxation system up to international standards and made the nation more competitive. The changes also made the tax environment more reasonable and fair, appropriately easing the burden on wage-earners, low and medium-income households, small and medium-sized enterprises, and new businesses. The amended legislation narrowed the gap between domestic and international investors and thus makes businesses more competitive and willing to invest in Taiwan. With the passage of amendments to the Labor Standards Act, the four core interests of workers are protected while employees and employers are given greater flexibility to cooperate. In addition, the revisions maintain economic momentum and help ensure the competiveness of Taiwan’s industry. The Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, amendments to the Statute for Industrial Innovation, and a financial technology innovative experimentation act have all moved through the Legislature to become law. These regulations are aimed at startup companies and the recruitment of foreign professionals, and will have a positive effect on Taiwan’s overall economic development and international competitiveness. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of all, Taiwan has gradually emerged from the prior period of economic stagnation. Our economy grew by 2.86 percent in 2017, a very apparent improvement over the preceding two years. Our stock market hit a new 28-year high, and listed companies reported total revenues of NT$32.7 trillion (US$1.12 trillion), also a new record and 7 percent above the previous year. This growth has driven unemployment down to a 17-year low of 3.76 percent. I would now like to discuss recent policy achievements as well as the outlook for future efforts. I. Resolving the five major shortages affecting industry The five shortages refer to the dearth of industrial-use land, skilled talent and manpower, and a reliable supply of water and power for industry. As for the shortage of land, the government is taking a three-pronged strategy of making public land available at preferential rates, encouraging the use of idle privately owned land, and developing new land for industry as well as upgrading existing industrial zones. These efforts are expected to provide 1,442 hectares of land by 2022 to meet new construction and expansion needs. With respect to periodic droughts and industry’s growing demand for water, we are tackling the problem on four fronts: developing new sources of water, preventing loss and stepping up conservation efforts, linking supply networks to allow inter-regional water allocation, and expanding reserve capacity. This includes the construction of new water infrastructure, lowering the rate of leakage and other losses, improving the efficiency of water use by agriculture, and encouraging industrial users to recycle water. These efforts are expected to supply 1.9 billion metric tons of water per year by 2031, which should satisfy both industrial and non-industrial demand. To address periodic strains on power delivery, the government is following the three principal strategies of increasing electricity supply through a diversity of sources, promoting a proactive nationwide energy conservation program, and pursuing flexible power generation and smart-tech conservation. This will enable the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, lower risks associated with the electrical grid and fuel supply network, and address such problems as over-centralized power transmission infrastructure and outdated, poor-durability equipment. As for the construction of new electricity projects, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) have been charged with following a tightly controlled schedule and completing these projects on time and on spec. This will allow Taipower to maintain a reserve margin of at least 15 percent and an operating reserve of at least 10 percent after 2019. There is much concern in the Legislative Yuan over the question of whether or not the No. 2 reactor at Taiwan’s second nuclear power plant will be restarted. I would like to point out that the operating license for that reactor will expire in 2023. Last December following a major overhaul, Taipower applied to the Atomic Energy Council for permission to restart the reactor, which is the standard procedure. This application must still pass the council’s safety review. Regardless of whether the reactor is restarted, Article 95 of the Electricity Act clearly requires that “nuclear-energy-based power-generating facilities shall wholly stop running by 2025.” The question of the reactor will therefore not keep us from phasing out nuclear energy by 2025. Our objectives remain the same: the first, second and third nuclear plants will be decommissioned on schedule, and the fourth plant will not go into operation. As for the manpower shortage confronting industry, the government is seeking to develop the labor force, create a friendlier work environment, and narrow the education-employment gap. In developing the pool of domestic laborers and matching them to jobs, we hope to assist in the upgrade of industry, improve the work environment and raise salaries. In narrowing the education-employment gap, we will encourage industry-academia collaboration, promote co-op education, and adjust the placement of students in particular departments and subjects. This multi-faceted approach should be able to resolve the labor shortage. With respect to the shortage of skilled professionals, our policy is to keep Taiwanese workers at home, recruit talent from abroad, and develop new skills and people. This strategy is augmented by optimizing the tax system, opening new channels for businesses to reward employees, creating a friendly environment for startups, and providing young people with more opportunity. At the same time, the government is also engaged in such efforts as talent exchanges with countries covered by the New Southbound Policy, relaxation of rules governing the recruitment of skilled foreign professionals by companies targeted under the “five plus two” innovative industries program, and fostering stronger ties between companies and schools, as well as getting businesses involved in training and talent development. These measures should provide the talent necessary to meet industry’s demand. II. Promoting forward-looking infrastructure and long-term care In order to carry out the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and the long-term care 2.0 policy as envisioned by President Tsai Ing-wen, I personally led my team to convene working meetings in every county and municipality in Taiwan. At these meetings, we explained the details of the infrastructure program and discussed the progress made on our reviews of competitive projects submitted by local governments.   We also visited actual sites to gauge the progress made toward realizing the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and long-term care 2.0, and heard from local officials concerning every aspect of the projects. These trips are intended to bridge the gap between the central and local governments, raising administrative efficiency and encouraging cooperation to overcome any and all problems. Hand in hand, the central and local governments must work together to move Taiwan another giant step forward. Pay for long-term caregivers has risen this year. There is hope that this will not only attract more young people to take such jobs, but also induce them to make caregiving a career. Such developments would add numbers to the pool of long-term care workers that will be required as Taiwan’s population ages. The act governing long-term care service institutions took effect in January of this year. The law promotes the sustainable operations of care institutions while at the same time ensuring they serve the public interest and remain financially transparent. The new regulations also allow the insurance industry to invest and participate in the provision of residential long-term care. Industry involvement will draw in even more professional talent, encourage the use of advanced technologies, and promote the development of innovative service models and the construction of a quality long-term care system. III. Tackling air pollution problems The Executive Yuan recently passed an air pollution control action plan with three clearly defined objectives: to cut in half the number of air quality red alert days by 2019, switch government vehicles and public buses over to electric power by 2030, and ban the sale of combustion engine-powered scooters and automobiles by 2035 and 2040, respectively. To achieve these objectives, we’ve outlined specific measures for curbing suspended particulate matter and other air pollutants. We will hold state-owned enterprises to super-low emission standards that are the most stringent in the world, toughen air pollution regulations for ports and harbors, expedite the replacement of aging vehicles, and place stricter controls on cooking fumes from restaurants as well as fugitive dust from roads, construction sites and riverbanks. Starting this year, the government will also provide preferential loans to encourage businesses to replace 80,000 older diesel-powered trucks (manufactured prior to July 1999) with trucks that comply with the newest environmental emission standards. All 10,000 public buses currently in service will also be replaced by electric vehicles. The Executive Yuan also submitted draft amendments to the Air Pollution Control Act to the Legislature last December with the aims of tightening restrictions on fuels and harmful pollutants, bringing more pollution sources under regulation, and enacting stronger controls over transportation emissions. I ask for the Legislature’s full support for a swift passage of these amendments so that we can build a comprehensive air quality control mechanism and protect the health of citizens. IV. Improving the environment for investments in startups Last week the Executive Yuan presented an action plan for improving the environment for investing in startups, to be implemented through five strategies: provide startups with early-stage funding, develop talent and adjust regulations, create partnerships between startups and the government, provide a variety of exit channels for startups, and help startups make inroads into global markets. This plan will build a complete ecosystem for new businesses and allow Taiwan’s startup industry to grow and thrive. Under the strategy of providing startups with early-stage funding, the government has earmarked NT$100 billion (US$3.4 billion) from the National Development Fund to create the Industrial Innovation and Transformation Fund, and has granted tax incentives to angel investors through the Statute for Industrial Innovation. In addition to injecting needed resources into startup businesses, this strategy will foster close cooperation with world-class venture capital firms to draw investments to artificial intelligence, the internet of things, augmented and virtual reality, biotech medicine and other cutting-edge industries. The Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals took effect February 8 this year, easing visa, employment and residency restrictions while offering attractive health insurance, tax and retirement benefits to foreign professionals seeking work in Taiwan. The National Development Council also launched the Startup Regulatory Adjustment Platform to help new businesses navigate legal gray areas, while the Ministry of Finance created a special site providing tax advice, guidance and other immediate assistance to startup companies. The Financial Supervisory Commission has added e-commerce as a new industry category on the Taipei Exchange, and continues to examine more avenues by which startups can list publicly and gain access to capital markets. Taiwan’s startups must expand their international footprints to capture the attention of world-class venture capital funds. We will therefore send top Taiwanese startup teams for training at business accelerators overseas, and encourage internationally renowned accelerators to set up branches in Taiwan. This year, for instance, a section of the Universiade athletes’ village in New Taipei City will be converted into an international startup cluster to provide test sites for startups, nurture international-level startup companies, and match entrepreneurs to business opportunities. V. Promoting a green energy “silicon island” The Executive Yuan recently approved the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Green Energy Roofs project to install solar panels on building rooftops across the country. This project, combined with the deployment of smart electricity meters, will enable Taiwan to reach its long-term target of 3 gigawatts (GW) of rooftop solar power capacity by 2020, five years ahead of the 2025 target date. As for wind power and the construction of offshore turbine farms, 22 applications for potential sites have passed environmental impact assessment reviews with an expected total capacity of more than 10 GW, far exceeding the original target; the selection procedure is now underway. The government is keen to attract businesses to the wind power industry and will promote technological collaboration with other countries. The Executive Yuan has also passed the Green Finance Action Plan to encourage the financial industry to support the green energy industry. To deliver diverse energy solutions, we have proposed amendments to the Renewable Energy Development Act to broaden the scope of renewables, ensure protections for diverse uses of green energy, simplify application procedures, and increase flexibility for grid connections. VI. Building a smart-tech nation To boost industrial innovation and improve our citizens’ quality of life, I believe Taiwan must put its advantages in smart technologies and applications into full play.   In infrastructure, for instance, Taiwan ranked No. 3 worldwide for mobile broadband subscribers in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2017 published by the International Institute for Management Development. The government will use this foundation to create a tech-savvy environment with applications for smart transportation, disaster preparedness, health care, smart learning and tourism. Our goal is to grow the size of the digital economy from NT$3.4 trillion (US$106.6 billion) in 2015 to NT$4.8 trillion (US$163.9 billion) by 2020, raise the digital lifestyle services penetration rate from 25.8 to 60 percent, and expand broadband services coverage to 90 percent with data speeds improving from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit per second. The government is currently putting full efforts toward an artificial intelligence (AI) action plan for Taiwan. This past January, Microsoft established a local AI research and development center, announcing that it would invest NT$1 billion (US$34.1 million) over the next two years while recruiting and training 200 AI specialists in Taiwan over the next five years. Google also set up a cloud computing data center in Taiwan in the past two years. In the area of mobile payments, we’re examining ways of revising and relaxing regulations to expand the use of stored value cards for such applications as transportation and small-value payments. We will set up more sites to accept mobile payments and link the system with other services, equipment makers, telecom providers and financial institutions, all with the goal of achieving 90 percent mobile payment penetration by 2025. VII. Retrofitting and reinforcing old and unsafe buildings On February 6 at 11:50 p.m., a strong earthquake in Hualien County toppled several large buildings and damaged many bridges and roadways. Emergency crews worked around the clock to search for trapped victims in the ensuing days; that rescue operation has come to an end and we have now begun the work of reconstruction. On February 7, the Executive Yuan established a Hualien earthquake relief and reconstruction taskforce to marshal the resources of government agencies and help the people of Hualien rebuild their homes, businesses and infrastructure. We also presented a number of policies and programs on February 26 to hasten the process of retrofitting and reinforcing old and unsafe buildings. These include aggressively implementing the Statute for Expediting Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings enacted last May, as well as a pilot program for the structural safety inspection and reconstruction of buildings. The Executive Yuan has also submitted changes to the Urban Renewal Act for the Legislature’s review. To take stock of the state of building safety across the nation, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) on February 21 rewrote building inspection and safety reporting regulations to mandate seismic-resistance screening and assessment for privately owned, public-use buildings constructed prior to the 1999 Taiwan earthquake, as well as for buildings considered at high risk. We are also in the midst of amending Article 77-1 of the Building Act to require unsafe structures to be reinforced or retrofitted within a set period. Over the next four years, we will devote NT$6 billion (US$204.8 million) to promote the five strategies of rapid screening, seismic resistance assessment, retrofitting and reinforcement, reinforcement in phases, and financial assistance for buildings. The government will work together with the public to methodically inspect and improve the safety of the nation’s buildings. VIII. Rooting out illegal drugs From January 29 to February 5 this year, we pooled the forces of prosecutors, police, investigators, military police, customs agents and coast guard for the first wave of the “operation safe home” drug sweep. They scoured deep into drug hotspots around the nation, cracked down on hidden drug dealers in local communities, ramped up inspections at the borders, and targeted the sources of narcotics flow. Law enforcement agents during this wave apprehended 431 suspected drug dealers, manufacturers, traffickers and suppliers; seized more than 4,000 kilograms of drugs of all classes; and raided 11 sites used for cannabis cultivation, ketamine production, and the packaging of emerging designer drugs. The culprits behind the narcotics business are most often organized crime rings. I’m grateful to the Legislature for passing our recent amendments to the Organized Crime Prevention Act, which expanded the definition of organized crime and handed us more effective weapons in the war on drugs. The Legislature is also reviewing our amendments to the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, designed to stiffen sentences and fines for drug dealers and manufacturers, prevent the spread of emerging drugs, and at the same time provide more medical treatment opportunities for drug users. The above is a summary of the recent work that the Executive Yuan has been engaged in, but our society continues to face numerous challenges ahead. In the coming year, my Cabinet and I will lead the nation forward and tackle problems through a pragmatic approach built on three pillars of policy: a secure and prosperous working and living environment, sustainable population growth and balanced regional development. I. Secure and prosperous working and living environment A secure living environment is one in which people can live free from fear, and most importantly, is marked by law and order. A prosperous working environment is one that bolsters the economy and strengthens the nation. With respect to a prosperous working environment, we will continue to implement solutions to the five shortages, promote the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program as well as the “five plus two” innovative industries policy, and relax economic and financial regulations. To make for more efficient administrative processes for recruiting companies, we will set up one-stop service windows at both the central and local levels, and improve environmental impact assessment and land development review mechanisms. All of the above will accelerate public and private-sector investments and create more jobs. As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan can only sustain its growth by participating in international trade blocs. We will therefore take part actively in multilateral events under the World Trade Organization and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and expand trade opportunities under regional and bilateral agreements. We will also pursue membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership by soliciting support from member states and expanding international cooperation. Another focal policy is the New Southbound Policy. Taiwan’s interactions with the countries covered by the policy grew noticeably in 2017 over the year before. In trade, inbound investments from New Southbound countries grew 15.8 percent while outbound investments soared 54.5 percent, with total bilateral trade climbing 15.6 percent. In people-to-people exchanges, Taiwan relaxed visa requirements for visitors from those countries and set up more offices overseas. Last year the number of visitors from the New Southbound countries jumped 27.6 percent from the year before, and the number of students from these countries studying in Taiwan grew 10 percent year on year. We will continue to deepen and expand cooperation with the New Southbound countries by forging wide-ranging and mutually beneficial relationships. Our objective is to bring about economic and trade benefits and create win-win situations for Taiwan and all our partners. Regarding commodity price fluctuations—an issue the Legislature has expressed concern over—I’d like to reassure and remind everyone that Taiwan’s commodity prices have consistently held low and steady under the central bank’s long-term policy guidance. Over the past many years, the consumer price index has risen less than 2 percent annually, and rose only by 0.62 percent in 2017. The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics projects this year’s index will increase by 1.21 percent, still relatively low in comparison with other countries. To head off public panic over changes in the prices of daily essentials, the Executive Yuan has established a commodity price stabilization taskforce to monitor price movements at all times. Regarding the recent run on toilet paper triggered by speculation of price hikes, the government has launched an aggressive investigation into collusion by suppliers and vendors on price manipulation and product hoarding. We have zero tolerance for any illegal actions of this kind. With respect to a secure living environment, we will continue enhancing anti-narcotics links among our six law enforcement forces to wipe out drugs and root them out at the source. This year we’ve doubled the budget to NT$3.3 billion (US$112.7 million) to upgrade investigation equipment, improve narcotics testing capabilities, and increase the number of public health case managers. We will also clamp down on fraud by stepping up cross-agency investigation strategies and strengthening international collaboration on tracking fraud rings. In combating criminal organizations, an MOI project implemented last September has reduced social disorder caused by crime syndicates acting under the guise of political parties or organizations. The indictment rate for organized crime suspects in newly lodged or referred cases has also shot up from 1.6 percent to 54 percent since the Organized Crime Prevention Act amendments became effective in April 2017. In the future we will continue to fight fraud and criminal rings while eliminating social ills in order to provide a safe and secure living environment for citizens. We’ve also proposed a social safety net program focusing on three objectives: comprehensive and diverse family support services, early identification of vulnerable children and families, and public-private collaboration models. Toward these ends, we will encourage collaboration among the criminal justice, education, mental health and social work systems, such as by setting up social welfare centers across the country, establishing centralized case management and protection centers for children in high-risk families, creating regional centers that integrate child protection and medical care services, and hiring more social workers to manage cases at deeper levels. II. Sustainable population growth The nation’s long-term development is feeling the adverse effects of an aging society with low birth rates and fewer children entering the population. To engineer a solution that addresses these fundamental issues, the government will come up with a comprehensive set of policies governing child care, recruitment and immigration. On the child care front, the government will put forward several incentive measures to help drive up the total fertility rate to 1.4 births per woman by 2030. In addition to offering new child care subsidies to encourage childbearing, the government will construct a child care environment that serves diverse needs. To expand public education and care services, the government will set up more than 1,200 classes at public and nonprofit preschools by 2020, and implement policies that encourage private kindergartens to offer tuition rates comparable to those at public schools. These measures will not only ease the financial burden on parents and raise preschool enrollment rates, but also boost the salaries of teachers and care personnel at for-profit preschools as well as maintain a standard quality of service. Regarding the recruitment of international professionals, Taiwan is widely acclaimed by foreigners working on the island for its public order and the friendliness of its people. We will apply these advantages toward improving Taiwan’s work environment and attracting more foreign professionals who will work or settle long term in Taiwan and even naturalize as citizens. As for immigration policies, the current Immigration Act is primarily concerned with protecting national security and controlling the entry and exit of foreign nationals, but lacks the wherewithal to attract economic immigrants. The government will therefore craft a new, forward-thinking immigration law that meets the challenges of demographic change and ensures Taiwan’s ability to compete globally. III. Balanced regional development The Executive Yuan is drafting amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures to balance regional development while allowing greater financial autonomy for local governments. This bill, to be marked as a priority for the current legislative session, is designed to narrow the longstanding resource gap between the larger special municipalities and the smaller cities and counties. The Executive Yuan is also drafting an administrative zoning bill to serve as a legal basis for establishing, abolishing or reorganizing administrative districts at all levels. One natural outcome of economic development is the influx of young people to urban areas, but it has also created an ever-widening regional gap and stalled development in rural areas. For the third pillar of policy, balanced regional development, we will thus strengthen the promotion of regional revitalization. We’ll provide guidance and funding for local governments, communities and civic groups to design their own unique economic development programs that will attract young people back into townships and communities. These efforts will help stem the outward flow of people and preserve local culture while boosting regional tourism. The most important mission for me as premier is to build the nation, develop the economy, improve citizens’ well-being, forge a stronger Taiwan, and put into practice the national blueprint mapped out by President Tsai. I am also convinced that the government, faced with challenges, must shoulder responsibility and respond pragmatically to achieve concrete results and implement true reform. The nation’s strength is growing, and its character more robust. Together, the people and government of Taiwan will tread side by side on the bright path we have built together. In the coming year, I will carry on leading the administrative team as we give our all for the nation. I sincerely hope that both the executive and legislative branches can work together with a common conscience to create a prosperous, peaceful and blessed Taiwan. Thank you! <上版日期>107-03-02 <更新日期>107-03-23 <發布日期>107-03-23 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/a0d373db-ba15-460d-890f-a9b659bc37b4 <標題>Premier Lai Ching-te’s oral policy report to 4th session of 9th Legislature <內容>Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: The fourth session of the Ninth Legislature has begun. I am both honored and keenly aware of my heavy responsibility as I bring my Cabinet team here to deliver the Executive Yuan’s administrative policy report.   I’d like to thank President Tsai Ing-wen for her affirmation and confidence, and for giving me this opportunity to serve the people of Taiwan. Former Premier Lin Chuan headed the Executive Yuan for more than a year, and in that time he tackled all manner of difficulties with the support and supervision of the Legislature, serving as an anchor for the new government and putting President Tsai’s policies into practice. He set the direction for government, and for his service to the nation, I want to express my admiration and gratitude. The work of nation building and reform is achieved over the long term. It requires that each governing team pass the baton to the next, and never let up. Only by striving ahead can we carry forward overall national development. Today is my first appearance before the Legislative Yuan following my appointment as premier. I’d like to thank Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai and the members of the majority and minority parties for your warm hospitality and input. Going forward, it will be my responsibility to lead the Cabinet team and humbly accept the supervision of the Legislative Yuan. The standard to which I will hold my team will be based on my own experience with overseeing the Executive Yuan as a legislator, and I will instruct every ministry and agency to strengthen communication and collaboration with the Legislative Yuan. It is my hope that we will be able to cooperate closely to achieve growth and prosperity for Taiwan.   I. A pragmatic, deliberate approach to governance I will expect and encourage my Cabinet to take a pragmatic, no-nonsense approach to its work. The concepts of clean governance, diligence and love for country will guide us as we work pragmatically and deliberately to promote policies that benefit the nation and people. We will lead Taiwan ahead confidently and in the right direction. Taiwan presently faces a myriad of challenges, including industrial restructuring, barriers to investment, adjustments to a new labor system, transitioning to new sources of energy, and social issues arising from a falling birth rate and aging population. Issues such as transitional justice, pension reform, judicial reform and tax reform also attract considerable attention, and my Cabinet will confront these matters with honesty, formulate pragmatic policies, seek realistic solutions, and track progress and results. By enhancing our effectiveness, we will accelerate our nation-building efforts, re-energize economic development, and raise both Taiwan’s competitiveness and the people’s standard of living. The Executive Yuan has already submitted printed copies of our administrative policies report to the Legislature for your reference. Today I will cover only the six economic stimulus measures that we have formulated, as well as five major governing objectives aimed at building up Taiwan.   II. Six economic stimulus measures In the face of international competition, we will actively participate in regional economic integration, expand cooperation with other countries, and enter into bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with various nations. The government will continue to promote our New Southbound Policy by strengthening links and cooperation with target countries. To build domestic economic momentum, the Executive Yuan will stimulate private-sector consumption, expand public works, lead private-sector investment, encourage private-sector participation in public construction projects, bring about economic transformation, and boost Taiwan’s economic development. Beginning today, our efforts will be fully devoted to the promotion of the following six concrete measures: First, the government will lead the way in raising salaries. The central government’s 2018 general budget has incorporated a 3 percent pay raise for public employees—civil servants, teachers and military personnel—to encourage corresponding increases in private-sector wages. Higher salaries for all will boost the economic outlook, expand domestic demand and lead Taiwan into a virtuous cycle of economic growth. We are grateful to see that various commercial and industrial groups, as well as many enterprises and educational institutes, have begun to follow suit. It is our sincere hope that the Legislative Yuan will be able to complete a timely review of the proposed general budget, so that payment of the new higher salaries can begin on January 1 of 2018. As for the much-discussed question of whether contract employees will also receive raises, I have instructed the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics to distribute special centrally allocated tax revenues to local governments to help cover relevant costs. Second, the government will reform the tax system. There exists a national consensus that Taiwan should have a fair, reasonable, streamlined and convenient system of taxation. We have already started with reforms aimed at optimizing the tax system. My team is working on a draft revision to the Income Tax Act, which will include cuts for salary earners and mid-to-low income taxpayers, as well as a suitable tax reduction for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as startups. We will also narrow the unfair gap between the taxes paid by domestic versus foreign investors, and anticipate that this adjustment will revitalize the capital market and advance industry upgrades. Over 5.42 million taxpayers will benefit from our tax plan, which will be delivered by the middle of next month to the Legislative Yuan for review and voting. I ask for your generous support for this bill so that together we may achieve this difficult reform. Third, we will drum up investments in Taiwan. I will personally convene an interministerial meeting on accelerating investment in Taiwan to demonstrate the government’s resolve to improve the economy. We will solve, one after another, the key problems hindering industrial development, and remove barriers to investment. My team will construct a friendly environment for business creation and operations, including ensuring a steady supply of water and electricity, availability of land, and the training and retention of high-skill talent. We will listen respectfully to the valuable opinions of this esteemed body’s members on the five-day workweek policy, and make revisions to our draft based on what we hear. Our goal is to build a safe and flexible labor system that protects workers’ rights and interests and at the same time attracts corporate investment in Taiwan, thus achieving a working environment advantageous to both employees and employers. Fourth, the government will promote deregulation. Taiwan is a small country in a fiercely competitive global environment, and so we must demonstrate greater initiative and greater flexibility. To build economic momentum, our first priority for deregulation will be finance and banking laws. The government will also loosen employment regulations to allow enterprises to better compete for and retain top talent. The Executive Yuan has already submitted to the Legislature a bill to encourage the recruitment and hiring of foreign professionals. We have marked the bill as a high priority for this session, and look forward to early approval and passage, so that more high-level talent from overseas will come to work in Taiwan. The government will follow up by reviewing administrative controls. Where such rules and regulations exceed the scope required by legislation, we will make changes aimed at removing barriers to corporate investment, and thus create a healthy environment for investors. Fifth, my Cabinet will speed up the promotion of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. To meet the demands of the next generation of national development, the Legislative Yuan has already passed a special bill and the first-term special budget for the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. The program calls for action in eight areas: railway projects to provide safe and fast transportation, water environments to build resilience against climate change, green energy infrastructure to ensure environmental sustainability, digital infrastructure to create a smart and connected nation, urban and rural projects to balance regional development, child care facilities to help reverse declining birth rate trends, infrastructure to ensure food safety, and human resources infrastructure to nurture talent. The government will take the lead on investments in these areas, lighting a match under the economy and expanding domestic demand. Additional projects target people’s everyday lives. These include installing smart meters, building facilities for a smart electric grid, reducing water loss in the public water supply system, promoting a demonstration project for potable tap water, expanding the use of mobile payment systems, raising the percentage of energy-saving appliances in homes, and encouraging the production of electric cars and scooters. The Executive Yuan has listed all of these projects as important points to promote. Sixth, the government will continue to pursue the “five plus two” innovative industries policy. Another goal is to transform production and the structure of industry, from the manufacturing-intensive focus of the past toward a new direction of innovative and high-value-added production. We will continue to carry out innovative industry projects promoting an Asia Silicon Valley, intelligent machinery, green energy technology, biomedicine, national defense, new agriculture and the circular economy. The ultimate objective remains enhancing the international competitiveness of Taiwan’s industry through cooperation with international groups and local governments, bringing in high-level talent, transferring new technologies to Taiwan, building industrial clusters in Taiwan, harnessing the power of system integration, and attracting investment from domestic and foreign sources alike. At the same time, we will also strengthen the overall planning of national development, enhancing governance capacity, and maintaining effective oversight of progress and spending for major projects. Programs will be completed on time and on spec, with an eye toward expending limited resources only where absolutely necessary.   III. Five nation-building objectives In addition to boosting the domestic economy, we will be striving toward five governing objectives for nation building: 1. “Cultural Taiwan” Culture is the soul of a nation, so we must nurture Taiwan’s unique culture, demonstrate confidence in it, and enhance its competitiveness from the local level on up to the international level. The Cabinet-level board of cultural affairs will continue leading interministerial efforts to promote the nation’s cultural policies, and I will instruct government agencies to incorporate cultural considerations into their policies. Our focus is to truly deepen Taiwan’s culture and nurture Taiwanese subjectivity. We will continue implementing a historical sites restoration plan that is designed to breathe new life into tangible cultural assets while forging unique urban and rural landscapes. We will also help local governments to integrate each region’s unique culture into their businesses, tourism industries, agricultural products, and lifestyles, cultivating the “Cultural Taiwan” brand for the world to see. To promote the cultural and creative industries, we have set up a platform to connect the film, television and music industries with the financial sector, putting them in touch with the resources needed to tap overseas markets. We are also working with local governments and businesses to establish an international film and television production center, build experimental facilities for innovative cultural and creative technologies, and provide service platforms for young artists and emerging industries to create and exhibit their works and conduct transactions. We are also endeavoring to ensure linguistic equality among different ethnicities and develop a multicultural society. Following the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Development Act, which designated indigenous languages as official languages, we submitted draft amendments to the Hakka Basic Act to the Legislature to recognize Hakka as a national language as well. 2. “Green silicon island” As countries worldwide switch to new sources of energy, Taiwan has defined its own goals for reducing carbon and becoming a nuclear-free country. We will tap new energy sources, conserve energy, store power and integrate smart energy systems, all of which will transform Taiwan into a safe, clean and sustainable “green silicon island.” Among our efforts are a two-year solar power plan, a four-year wind power plan, and other renewable energy projects such as biogas development. These programs will spur the development of innovative technologies and create jobs for local communities. And to make Taiwan a key player in Asia’s green energy industry, we are building the Shalun Green Energy Science City as the heart of Taiwan’s green energy industry ecosystem. In the meantime, we will accelerate the installation of smart grid systems to make our grid less centralized and more resilient. We will maintain a stable and reliable electricity supply while shifting electricity use to non-peak hours, addressing the issue on both the supply and demand sides. Right now we are installing smart electricity meters across the country and promoting a time-of-use pricing scheme, so that users can better manage their energy consumption, curb electricity use at peak times, and conserve energy. The Diversified Waste Treatment Plan is underway to make waste treatment facilities more efficient. It is expected to generate an additional 180 million kilowatt hours of green energy each year. Bottom ash and slag residues from waste incineration will also be reused as materials in public works projects to ensure construction quality as well as environmental safety.   3. Smart digital nation As a powerhouse of information and communications technology, Taiwan is shifting from hardware contract manufacturing to innovative smart applications. And as we transform into a digital nation for information applications, our young people will have more opportunities to engage in smart tech innovations. To build a smart digital nation, we will loosen regulations, invest in digital infrastructure, strengthen talent cultivation, and continue to implement the Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Plan. Taiwan will leverage its competitive edge in semiconductor chips to harness smart technologies (including artificial intelligence, internet of things and big data analytics) to improve the quality of life as well as government efficiency. In the development of smart cities, we will consider the needs of each region as we implement a program to create smart living applications for urban and rural areas. We aim to not only solve local problems but also promote urban development. We will also develop Taiwan’s smart electric scooters into a competitive industry, and expedite innovative R&D for driverless vehicles. When promoting financial technology, we will expand the use of mobile payments. Under our intelligent transportation systems plan, we will use technology to manage traffic, alleviate road traffic congestion, offer convenient transportation in remote and rural areas, and ensure traffic safety. 4. Just society Justice is our nation’s most fundamental value. We will ensure a dignified life for every citizen, and allocate resources in an equitable manner to guarantee a secure, peaceful way of life for all. We will therefore continue the work of pursuing pension reform, judicial reform, tax reform and transitional justice, all with the goal of promoting social fairness and justice, and ensuring the nation’s sustainable development. To reinforce our democratic values and protect direct civil rights, we submitted a draft amendment to the Referendum Act to the Legislature, where it has been reviewed and listed as a priority piece of legislation for the current session. A draft of the organization act of the National Human Rights Museum has also been sent to the Legislature for review. After the museum is established, it will be responsible for promoting education on human rights, among other important tasks. On the issue of same-sex marriage, the Executive Yuan will abide by Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748 regarding equal protection of the freedom of marriage. We will forge the widest possible consensus, and with careful deliberation submit reasonable and feasible legislation that will make marriage equality a reality in Taiwan. To aid economically disadvantaged children and help young people on their path of development, we will continue to sponsor a children and youth education and development fund, as well as an education and employment savings account program for young people. We want every child to receive a proper education so that they can find gainful employment or start their own businesses later in life. To guarantee a basic standard of living for all workers, the Executive Yuan has approved increases in the national minimum wage. Starting January 1 next year, the monthly rate will be raised to NT$22,000 (US$728), and the hourly rate to NT$140 (US$4.63). In housing justice, we have begun the process of reviewing and amending the Urban Renewal Act to improve the overall environment for residential homes. We have also completed a set of complementary measures in the Statute for Expediting Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings. In indigenous transitional justice, we will continue to protect the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples by expanding their autonomy and cultural and economic development. The Executive Yuan has also submitted to the Legislature amendments to the Status Act for Indigenous Peoples, which would add a new classification to officially recognize members of the Pingpu communities. We will also reinforce protective measures for women, immigrants, and persons with disabilities to improve the welfare of all citizens. 5. National well-being As part of our vision to create an environment in which people can live and work in peace and contentment, we will continue pushing policies that promote the health, security and well-being of our nation’s residents. In the sphere of public safety, we have rolled out a new-generation anti-drug strategy outlining action plans to prevent illegal drugs and drug precursors from entering the country, aggressively pursue drug manufacturers, dealers and traffickers, reduce the population of new users, keep narcotics out of schools, and provide treatment and rehabilitation for addicts. We are also cooperating with other countries to combat cross-border telecom fraud, protect our citizens from monetary loss, and protect Taiwan’s reputation abroad. Food safety is the issue that most concerns people in this country, so we will tighten safety controls at the source of production, increase inspection rates, and require food producers to adopt self-management measures. We will continue enforcing the five-point food safety policy to give consumers peace of mind. With an eye toward conservation of land and water resources, together with environmental sustainability, we are vigorously implementing an integrated coastal zone management plan as well as a national wetland conservation guide plan. The “national freeway, green corridor” plan has been launched to turn highways and their surroundings into natural conservation areas as well. We are also in the process of revising the Mining Act to require all mines that lack environmental impact assessments to undergo a supplementary assessment. To improve air quality, we are promoting the Clean Air Action strategy for reducing average concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers) year by year. Starting next January 1, we will also expand restrictions on the use of plastic shopping bags, a measure that is expected to reduce plastic bag use by 1.5 billion bags each year, and contribute to the creation of a sustainable planet. The long-term care 2.0 plan is being rolled out in cities and counties across Taiwan to serve the needs of our aging society. This plan will be reviewed on a rolling basis to ensure the quality of care services, allowing senior citizens to live happier and more dignified lives. In terms of sports development, we will carry out follow-up measures to the recently amended National Sports Act and increase the sports budget each year. The nation’s resources will be used to build a stronger environment for sports development and provide athletes and trainers with security for their futures. Taiwan had a total fertility rate of only 1.17 children per woman in 2016, with only 208,000 babies born that year. That number could drop below 200,000 this year. As we grapple with the problems of a society with fewer children, we must move quickly and vigorously to create a supportive environment for childbearing and childrearing, ease financial pressures on young parents, build social housing to alleviate housing problems for young people, and raise the birth rate along with women’s labor participation rate. We will also apply fresh thinking and adjust our strategies for the economy, industry and workforce development, and review our immigration policy to make our country stronger and more competitive. Today’s young people face four main challenges: low salaries, difficulties securing work, housing problems, and uncertainties about the future. It is therefore incumbent on the government to strengthen the technical and vocational education system, bridge the gap between the education students receive and the skills employers require, as well as promote interdisciplinary learning across industry, academia, and research and development. We will also ease education laws to promote alternative education, giving young people more space to start innovative businesses, more opportunities to participate in public affairs, and the freedom to choose their own education and career paths. All of these efforts will help create a more dynamic Taiwan.   IV. Joining forces for a stronger Taiwan Last year I had the opportunity to visit Israel to attend the International Conference of Mayors. As I listened to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address, I realized that Taiwan stands to learn much from Israel. Coming together as a nation will make Taiwan stronger, and we must fulfill our responsibilities to promote regional peace and security. For many years, my stance on cross-strait relations has been to seek common ground while shelving differences. My hope is to replace conflict with cooperation, and to replace the policy of containment with a policy of exchange. Through interaction and cooperation, the two sides can better understand and appreciate each other, make allowances for each other, and seek reconciliation. Only then will we truly have cross-strait peace and development. As we look ahead at foreign diplomacy and cross-strait relations, the Executive Yuan will uphold President Tsai’s ideal of “steadfast diplomacy, and mutual assistance for mutual benefits,” and we affirm her declaration that “Taiwan’s commitment and good will remain unchanged, but the country will not bow to pressure.” It is in this pragmatic manner that we intend to carry out all of our work. My esteemed legislators, it is the earnest desire of the people of our nation to see reconciliation between ruling and opposition parties, stability in our society, and peace across the Taiwan Strait. As long as the legislative and executive branches work in concert, and with full public support, I am confident that we can build a more prosperous, more secure, and happier homeland that is truly beautiful. Finally, I respectfully request that you continue to give us your valuable counsel and suggestions. I also want to express sincere thanks to legislators of all parties for your untiring efforts. Let me close by wishing one and all the very best of health, and success in all your endeavors. Thank you!   <上版日期>106-09-26 <更新日期>106-10-13 <發布日期>106-10-13 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/d75090e0-4ed3-463c-82fd-c5997178648c <標題>Premier Lin Chuan’s oral policy report to 3rd session of 9th Legislature <內容>Speaker Su, Deputy Speaker Tsai, members of the Legislature: I am honored to be here to deliver the Executive Yuan’s administrative policy report on the opening day of the third session of the Ninth Legislature. First, I’d like to thank all of our esteemed legislators for supporting and guiding us during the last legislative session. For your reference, we have submitted printed copies of the Executive Yuan’s administrative policies from the second half of 2016.   I. Overcoming difficulties to enact change Since I became premier on May 20 last year, my administrative team has applied the principles of “innovation, employment and equitable distribution” to guide the nation’s economic growth. We have also pushed for comprehensive structural transformation and reforms in an effort to solidify and expand the foundation of our nation’s sustainable development. We understand that reform always comes with short-term pain and turmoil, but we are determined to boldly confront and deal with these problems because we believe this is the only road forward for Taiwan. We can only reach a brighter future by overcoming these obstacles. For more than eight months now, my administrative team has worked hard and produced many positive results:   In terms of overall economic performance, Taiwan’s economy last December flashed a “green” light indicating stable growth for the sixth consecutive month, according to the National Development Council (NDC) on January 26. Export orders also grew for four straight months after reversing a 16-month slide last August. According to the World Economic Forum’s 2016-2017 Global Competitiveness Report of September 28 last year, Taiwan placed 14th out of 138 assessed countries, and was the only Asian country other than India to advance in the rankings this time. As for the five major innovative industries program, which is critical to industrial restructuring, preparations for each industry have been completed by central and local governments working in concert with the industrial, academic and research sectors: (1) the Shalun Green Energy Science City preparatory office was inaugurated to promote the green energy industry; (2) the Asia Silicon Valley Development Agency was officially opened, focusing on the internet of things and innovative startups; (3) the Biomedical Industry Innovation Program center was launched on January 25; (4) the Smart Machinery Promotion Office was inaugurated on February 7; and (5) the Ministry of National Defense (MND) signed an agreement with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology on February 7 to build a new generation of homegrown, advanced jet trainers. In transportation infrastructure, the airport metro line has begun trial operations recently, ahead of the official launch on March 2. The new line will provide steady and reliable transportation service between Taipei and the Taoyuan international airport, and give the airport another competitive edge in its quest to become a first-class international facility. Regarding the social safety net, the long-term care 2.0 program officially kicked off on January 1. Funding long-term care is a challenge that has drawn much attention, so we passed new amendments to the Long-term Care Services Act to set up financial resources for a long-term care fund. In housing justice, the Housing Act was amended to provide an explicit legal basis to help local governments acquire land, secure funding, organize manpower, and resolve other problems when promoting social housing. The amendment also increased the proportion of social housing units reserved for economically or socially disadvantaged households to 30 percent. In labor rights, we implemented a five-day workweek with the Legislature’s support, amending the Labor Standards Act to entitle workers to at least two days of rest every seven days. We also raised overtime pay on flexible rest days and gave workers more annual leave days. And on January 1, the national minimum monthly wage was increased to NT$21,009 (US$680) and the hourly wage to NT$133 (US$4.30). In energy industry transformation, attempts to change the Electricity Act finally succeeded after more than 20 years when the Legislature passed our amendments. We adopted a gradual approach to deregulating the power industry, prioritizing liberalization of the renewable and green energy development industries. Our amendments also provide the legal basis for promoting and spurring investments in research and development of the green energy industry, allowing us to create jobs and build a thriving industry that will bring Taiwan one step closer to becoming a nuclear-free country.  Ladies and gentlemen, these objective results represent progress in the right policy direction, and brave and proactive service by my administrative team in the face of challenges. We strive not only for overall economic growth, but also a better quality of life and protection for all citizens. We also clearly understand that governance in a democratic country requires us to forge consensus and bring people together, so as we push for reforms and improvements in the country’s overall environment, we will continue communicating with all sectors of society and find a common denominator through rational dialogue.   II. All-out effort to better every sector of society The government is responsible for helping to solve problems, creating opportunities and laying the foundation for Taiwan’s sustainable future, all of which are the core principles of my administrative team. I will now lay out our current policy measures and the direction of our future promotions: A. Accelerate industrial transformation, strengthen economic innovation 1. Encourage industrial innovation, create a digital nation The government is now promoting the “five plus two” innovative industries program to spur industrial innovation and consolidate limited resources. This program will transform Taiwan’s economic structure by applying technological innovations to existing industrial foundations, and linking resources across disciplines to add greater value to all industries. On November 24 last year, the Executive Yuan passed the Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Plan, or DIGI+, to capitalize on digital-era opportunities and help businesses find innovative ways to tap into the digital economy. The plan will invest NT$170 billion (US$5.3 billion) over nine years to create a solid foundation for digital innovations and applications, with the goal of growing the digital sector’s annual output to NT$6.5 trillion (US$201.1 billion) by 2025. 2. Create a quality work environment, strengthen retention system The government has begun deregulating recruitment laws because Taiwan needs to modernize its regulatory framework, and attract and retain bright people to promote industrial innovation and transformation. Last October 19, we approved a plan to create an overall environment that will help us retain professionals, including 27 reform strategies that will help create a more international living and work environment. The NDC is also promoting a bill on recruiting and hiring foreign professionals, and has begun assessing possible changes to the Company Act. 3. Revitalize capital markets, create a sound tax structure We approved an investment expansion plan on September 13, 2016 to accelerate Taiwan’s economic recovery, including measures to create a NT$100 billion (US$3.1 billion) industrial innovation and transformation fund through the National Development Fund, and plans to set up a national-level investment company. The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) also established the InvesTaiwan Service Center on October 6 as a one-stop service window for major investment cases. For companies leasing land in the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park and four other industrial parks, the MOEA offers rent-free land leases for the first two years. The Ministry of Science and Technology has also lowered rent for lots in the science parks by 8.99 percent. The Ministry of Finance is planning tax reforms to forge a system that is both fair to citizens and beneficial for the economy. After holding two tax reform forums in February to gather public feedback, the ministry is expected to present a reform proposal before the end of May. 4. Reinvigorate the tourism industry, improve travel quality The number of visitors to Taiwan from the 18 countries targeted by the New Southbound Policy during all of 2016 rose 15.3 percent over the previous year after Taiwan offered simplified visa procedures to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and South Asian countries in August 2016. The total number of visitors from all countries for the year 2016 also broke the 10 million mark on December 11. The Tourism Bureau is helping tourism and travel operators cater to more diverse travelers. Last October 24, the bureau announced a measure to subsidize tour guides or translators who speak Southeast Asian languages, with the guides receiving a subsidy of up to NT$10,000 (US$309) per tour group. The government also budgeted NT$300 million (US$9.7 million) to stimulate the domestic tourism market and encourage citizens to travel at times other than weekends and holidays. Approximately 6,600 domestic tour groups and 233,310 people will benefit from these subsidies, creating economic benefits and business opportunities worth NT$1.4 billion (US$45.3 million). As for this week’s tour bus crash, we will take this painful experience to heart and conduct a thorough review of the structural problems to come up with solutions as quickly as possible. B. Expand public works, promote urban-rural co-prosperity 1. Improve national infrastructure, boost domestic demand To help get the economy moving, starting this year the Executive Yuan will do a comprehensive review and accelerate infrastructure investments in a way that also maintains fiscal health and stability. This will include increasing investments in state-run businesses as well as earmarking multiple-year special budgets for forward-looking infrastructure such as railroad lines, water resources, green energy, digital technology, and rural and urban infrastructure. For railway infrastructure, we will be augmenting the country’s railroad systems over the next four years as part of our long-term vision to link the entire island into one community. In water infrastructure, our goals are to provide reliable water supplies, strengthen flood prevention and soil protection efforts, and improve water quality. For green energy, our plans include investments in solar power, wind power and smart electricity meters over the next four years. In digital technology, we will promote smart broadband internet, infrastructure for information and communication hardware, and facilities for scientific and technological research and development. Once finalized, these budgets will be submitted for legislative review, and we look forward to receiving your assistance and support. 2. Implement land use plans, balance regional development The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) promulgated the Enforcement Rules of the Spatial Planning Act on June 17, 2016 to promote sustainable land use, and has drafted 20 subsidiary laws and a nationwide land use plan. The MOI continues to promote city and township landscape improvement programs in the spirit of joint regional governance, approving 237 projects and selecting 34 cross-regional demonstration zones last year. Community road projects and other transportation systems are also being implemented to improve local transportation and drive regional prosperity. C. Build a just society, create a social safety net 1. Provide social housing, speed up urban renewal The MOI will provide 200,000 rental units under the social housing policy within the next eight years by constructing new units or subleasing existing units, and helping local governments find more resources for social housing. And, in line with its objectives to care for the disadvantaged, connect local communities and promote green buildings, the government will ensure the quality of building construction while improving management and marketing efforts. In urban renewal, the Executive Yuan has submitted to the Legislature a bill on using incentives to expedite the reconstruction of dangerous and old urban buildings. Once approved, it will offer practical incentives for reconstructing buildings, encourage wholly and partially state-owned banks to offer loans for urban renewal, and boost domestic demand for architectural design and construction services. 2. Reform the pension system, promote integrated care Regarding the progress of pension reform, the Pension Reform Committee held 20 meetings and completed discussions on Taiwan’s 13 different pension programs before holding regional forums in northern, central, southern and eastern Taiwan to collect public feedback. The Office of the President then held a press conference on January 19 to outline the reform plan, and the vice president convened a national conference on January 22. The Executive Yuan is now drafting pension law amendments to be forwarded to the Legislature during the current session, and we hope we can count on your support. As Taiwan grapples with a rapidly graying population and declining birth rate, we are pushing a three-pronged care policy to promote child care, long-term care and job creation. I mentioned the results of our long-term care efforts earlier. As for child care, we will inject about NT$6.2 billion (US$200.6 million) by 2020 to help local governments increase the number of public preschool classes by 1,000. 3. Strengthen food safety controls, combat illegal drugs Under the government’s five-point food safety policy, in December 2016 the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) established the Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau as the first point of control, responsible for regulating chemical substances in food products at the source. We also set up and expanded a mandatory traceability system for food makers, and strengthened oversight of school lunch ingredients to promote the use of local organic produce. Illegal drugs are a scourge on our citizens and society, and we must combat drug-related crime at the source. The government is collaborating with schools to set up a user-friendly reporting system to track the flow of narcotics and help drug users. Last year, the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office launched five series of nationwide raids that led to the largest drug haul in Taiwan’s history last October. We also have plans for the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to work with correctional facilities and provide inmates with professional addiction treatment services. 4. Achieve transitional justice, strengthen democracy The Executive Yuan has designated August 1 as Indigenous Peoples Day in Taiwan, and we will amend the Status Act for Indigenous Peoples to restore the rights of the Pingpu ethnic groups. We also established a task force on October 14 last year to investigate the decision-making process for nuclear waste storage on Lanyu Island. When the task force reports its findings within the next six months, the government will use their report as the basis for communicating with the Yami people of Lanyu, determining compensation and achieving reconciliation. In addition to passing the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations on August 10, 2016, the Executive Yuan established the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee on August 30. As of February 15, 2017 the committee had received 292 petitions and reports and has launched investigations for all the cases that are within its jurisdiction. Political documents are important records and assets that chronicle Taiwan’s democratic development. To gather, manage and release political documents to the public, and thereby guaranteeing their right to know, we approved a three-year plan that will inventory, gather and catalog the documents to be used by the government and private sector for research and education in the field of transitional justice. To highlight the importance of freedom of speech while commemorating the contributions of democracy pioneer Cheng Nan-jung, the Executive Yuan on December 9 last year designated April 7 as Freedom of Speech Day in Taiwan. D. Reform government operations, build a sustainable homeland 1. Improve government efficiency, promote open government The focus of government efficiency reforms is to reduce manpower and paperwork, so we will cut the central government’s budgeted personnel by 1 percent this year, allowing human resources to be distributed more fairly and improving operating efficiency. We are also easing and simplifying procedures for overseeing and evaluating government programs and subordinate agencies. In July last year, the Executive Yuan set up an interministerial task force to reform government evaluation systems, streamlining paperwork and eliminating the longstanding formality of numbers-based assessments. We also simplified procedures for government subsidy reimbursements, and will first apply those changes to social welfare and academic institutions before expanding to other types of organizations.   To promote open government and bring policies in line with the public’s expectations, on October 1 last year we extended the public announcement period for proposed laws and regulations from 14 days to 60 days. Starting January 1, we have also uploaded these announcements to a public policies participation platform where the public can leave comments and get responses from the responsible agency. 2. Promote energy transformation, create a nuclear-free homeland Our campaign to install low-voltage smart meters across the nation has begun with the goal of completing 200,000 installations by 2018, 1 million installations by 2020 and 3 million installations by 2024. The meters will give us detailed power usage information down to the day, hour and minute for over 80 percent of the country. When combined with the time-of-use rate programs for households and small businesses that we launched last October, these meters will effectively reduce electricity usage during peak periods. In the field of renewable energy, the MOEA launched a two-year solar power promotion plan in 2016 that will increase the nation’s solar power capacity to 1,520 megawatts and spur investments of up to NT$91.2 billion (US$3.0 billion).   Taiwan’s first offshore wind turbine was installed off the coast of Miaoli County’s Zhunan Township last October 27, marking a shift in wind power generation from land to sea.   3. Promote new agriculture, ensure sustainable development The government is promoting a “new agriculture” policy that will create a new agricultural paradigm and ensure agricultural safety. The policy consists of 10 objectives: pay farmers for agricultural practices that are beneficial to the land, stabilize farmer incomes, enhance the competitiveness of the livestock and poultry industries, expand eco-friendly crop-cultivation practices, utilize agricultural resources sustainably, develop innovative technological advantages, enhance food security, ensure agricultural product safety, increase domestic and overseas distribution channels, and raise the added value of agricultural products and services. To protect farmers against financial losses due to natural disasters, this year the Council of Agriculture extended an insurance pilot program to cover rice yield and sugar apple income. This is expected to provide stronger protection for agricultural operations. Given Taiwan’s geography, increasingly extreme climate patterns, and history of excessive land development, we must exercise caution to ensure the sustainable development of our natural environment.   To monitor environmentally sensitive and disaster-prone areas, in 2016 the MOEA created a database containing 444 stratigraphic position measurements and 1,225 engineering geological prospecting studies, and completed the demarcation of four types of geologically sensitive areas—active faults, landslide and debris-flow areas, groundwater recharge zones and geological relics. A small-scale map of areas prone to soil liquefaction was also released through a cloud-based application environment for use in disaster prevention, conservation and research. To tackle air pollution, the EPA launched major policies to curb PM2.5—particulate matter measuring 2.5 micrometers or less. In addition to implementing a clean air action plan, it proposed 10 measures to control exhaust and dust pollution, and has set a target to reduce PM2.5 red alerts by 20 percent. E. Enhance cultural education, respect ethnic diversity 1. Improve education quality, reinforce industry-academia cooperation As part of our effort to improve the quality of preschool and elementary education, we are increasing the number of teaching positions to reasonable levels, permitting teachers to be jointly appointed by more than one school, and encouraging experimental and innovative education for more diversified learning environments. In secondary education, our vision is to someday eliminate all entrance examinations so that students can attend schools close to home. To do that, we will increase the exam-free admissions quotas for high schools, and make all admissions exam-free in selected school districts, cities and counties on a trial basis. To increase educational benefits for children and youth, the government is expanding public childhood education and care systems. We will also launch an education development account program this year to provide subsidies for children from low and lower-middle income households and those in long-term foster care. About 10,000 children will enter the program each year, so the number of children benefiting from this subsidy could reach 180,000 by 2034. Starting in August, we will also implement an education and employment savings account program on a three-year trial basis to encourage high school graduates to gain real-world work experience before pursuing further education. Around 5,000 people will be selected to take part in this program each year. To bridge the gap between employer needs and graduate skills, the government is working to transform higher education and reform vocational education. In secondary education, the Ministry of Education (MOE) is providing a three-year tuition waiver for high school students who participate in cooperative education programs. Vocational high schools and technical colleges are also joining forces with the industrial sector to offer co-op programs combining classroom learning with practical work experience. In higher education, we continue to encourage diversified development of colleges and universities. To help the noncompetitive or poor-performing schools, we are drafting a special law on transformation and exit mechanisms for those schools and setting up a NT$5 billion (US$161.8 million) fund. To foster industry-academia cooperation, the government set up a board last July to strengthen links among industry, academia and the research sector. The board will help ease restrictions on utilizing the results of scientific and technological research, encourage universities to shoulder more social responsibility within their communities, and create a new mechanism for connecting businesses, universities and research institutions in innovative ways. 2. Develop cultural soft power, nurture cultural and creative industries On July 5, 2016 the Executive Yuan established a cultural committee, with me as the convener, hoping that all government agencies will make cultural development part of their policy thinking and implementation. The Ministry of Culture (MOC) is continuing a program that helps people working in cultural fields realize their dreams of becoming cultural entrepreneurs. Sixty aspiring entrepreneurs received subsidies through this program last year to set up new cultural and creative companies. The ministry also offers preferential loans for cultural and creative enterprises, approving 35 loans in 2016 to help them get the funding they need. And to connect individual cultural assets and other resources, the MOC is also promoting the restoration of historical sites. Fourteen historical restoration demonstration sites, organized by 13 local governments, have already been approved. 3. Build inclusive and diversified culture, promote ethnic identity development On July 29, 2016 the Executive Yuan approved a plan dividing various policy tasks regarding indigenous peoples among government agencies, promoting 32 policies with 80 implementation tasks to ensure the rights of indigenous peoples. We have also sent the draft version of a law to promote and preserve indigenous languages to the Legislature for deliberation.  The MOHW is already promoting the relaxation of legal restrictions for immigrants to qualify for social welfare and assistance, while the MOE is advocating the recognition of academic credentials obtained by immigrants in their home countries and the preservation of their native languages. These initiatives will help immigrants assimilate into Taiwan society and provide opportunities to utilize their cultural and language expertise.  F. Ensure national security, expand external relations 1. Achieve defense self-sufficiency, shift to a volunteer military  The MND has made the domestic production of advanced weaponry, including military jets and naval cutters, a major goal. The ministry is thus promoting the domestic research, development, and manufacturing of military hardware, and planning military investment to support such domestic production to increase national defense self-sufficiency. Progress has also been made in achieving the goal of an all-volunteer military, with 15,853 volunteer military recruits (105.7 percent of target) enlisting last year, and a 74.9 percent retention rate for volunteer enlistees. To improve manpower efficiency, beginning this year military veterans with mid-to-high level occupational specialties who have been retired less than eight years will be recruited as volunteer reserve officers, forming a military reserve force that will continue to undergo training. This will allow the military to remain lean in normal times and quickly increase manpower in the event of hostilities. 2. Strengthen multilateral relations, promote New Southbound Policy exchanges Upholding President Tsai Ing-wen’s “steadfast diplomacy” approach, we are replacing the previous method of unilateral aid to other countries with bilateral dialogue and mutual assistance through cooperative programs. These programs will also incorporate elements that promote the development of Taiwan’s industries and markets to create win-win outcomes. Effective January 1, 2017 the Japan Interchange Association changed its name to the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, a milestone in Taiwan-Japan relations. Through the existing Taiwan-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement mechanism, the administration will also continue to push for a Taiwan-U.S. bilateral investment agreement, as well as a bilateral free trade agreement. On September 5, 2016 we announced the promotional plan for the New Southbound Policy to diversify the nation’s external reach and enhance links with ASEAN countries, South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand, focusing on economic cooperation, personnel exchanges, resource sharing and regional connectivity. In December of last year exports to New Southbound Policy target countries reached US$5.37 billion, so exports to the 10 ASEAN members are clearly on the rebound. The number of students from New Southbound Policy target countries enrolled in Taiwan educational institutions also grew by 2.1 percent last year to 29,145. In addition to growth from major ASEAN countries, the number of students from South Asia rose by 12.4 percent. 3. Maintain democratic freedoms, improve cross-strait trust and communication The government has made “maintain the status quo” its core concept for handling cross-strait relations, and will remain committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability. Based on the principles of openness and transparency, public participation and legislative oversight, we will promote cross-strait interaction and negotiations, engage in positive dialogue on the basis of parity and dignity, and restore high-level discussions and negotiations to establish a consistent, predictable and sustainable cross-strait relationship.   III. United for a brighter future The Executive Yuan appreciates the Legislature’s support in passing 43 important bills that we submitted during the last session, including the 2017 budgets for the central government and subordinate units, and amendments to the Electricity Act, the Long-term Care Services Act and the Housing Act. In the coming year, the Executive Yuan will continue to spare no effort, and requests that the Legislature continue its valuable support. Through the concerted efforts of the two branches, we hope to achieve many important reforms. I respectfully request that you continue to give us your valuable counsel and suggestions, and want to express sincere thanks to our distinguished legislators, Legislative Yuan support staff, and friends in the media for their unstinting efforts. Let me close by wishing one and all the very best of health, and success in all your endeavors. Thank you! <上版日期>106-02-17 <更新日期>106-10-03 <發布日期>106-03-16 <相關圖片> <來源網址>https://english.ey.gov.tw/Page/878D1F23A9E61177/92e214cf-2965-4fb7-b9cd-8197fad4409b <標題>Premier Lin Chuan’s oral policy report to 2nd session of 9th Legislature <內容>Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan, Legislative Yuan Vice President Tsai Chi-chang, members of the Legislature: Thank you for inviting me today to deliver the Executive Yuan’s administrative policy report. First, I would like to thank the Legislature for supporting us during the previous legislative session. I offer my highest respects and gratitude to everyone here. For your reference, we have already submitted printed copies of the Executive Yuan’s administrative policies for the first half of 2016. Now, I will report on the Executive Yuan’s key achievements as well as policy directions for the future:   I. Tackle challenges, seek domestic and international breakthroughs Over the past several years, many advanced and developing countries have fallen into sustained recessions due to insufficient effective demand in the global economy and an overcapacity of production. The United Kingdom’s recent decision to leave the European Union will also bring about greater uncertainty for the years ahead. In Taiwan, the nation faces its own set of problems including an economic slowdown, rising unemployment among young people, a widening wealth gap, a shift of jobs overseas, and stagnant wages. We are also seeing a low national birth rate, fewer children being born, a rapidly aging population, and financial problems with the pension system. All of these issues pose complex and daunting challenges for the government. To deal with long-term structural problems as well as the immediate, pressing issues, the government must enact reforms in a steady, pragmatic and persistent manner. We must also build broad public consensuses to minimize the pains of reform. Focusing on the principles of innovation, employment and fair distribution as outlined in President Tsai Ing-wen’s administrative blueprint, the Executive Yuan will steer the economy in a new direction and create comprehensive models of development.   II. Set forward-thinking policies, promote steadfast reform Responding to the demands and expectations of the people, we have taken great care to formulate forward-looking policies in six areas: economic growth, social security, sustainable development, balanced regional development, a robust society and national security. 1. Accelerate industrial upgrading, create an innovation-driven economy Innovation is driving force of Taiwan’s economy and the key to industrial transformation. By creating local, global and future links, we will make full use of Taiwan’s industrial clusters to promote five innovative industries: an Asian Silicon Valley, intelligent machinery, green energy technology, biomedicine and national defense. a. Invest in infrastructure, guide industrial transformation To stimulate the economy and attract more investments, the Executive Yuan has proposed an investment expansion program that will: (1) Establish a NT$100 billion (US$3.2 billion) fund for industrial innovation and transformation. (2) Found a national investment company to spur investments in innovative companies using the pooled resources of the National Development Fund, state-owned enterprises and private groups. (3) Invest up to NT$340 billion (US$10.8 billion) in emerging industries and infrastructure projects, to be conducted by state-owned enterprises and companies in which the government holds shares. (4) Build digital infrastructure, help businesses switch to digital operations, and promote digital innovation. b. Recruit and retain professionals, cultivate innovative talent for Asia Promoting the five innovative industries will require the assistance of foreign professionals of all different backgrounds. We are therefore promoting a program to create a better talent-retaining environment, including 27 reform strategies to address visa, residency, financial, tax and insurance issues faced by foreign professionals and overseas Chinese students who come to Taiwan. To make Taiwan a regional stage for innovative talent, we will change recruitment and innovation laws (such as the Immigration Act) and introduce comprehensive regulations on angel funds, entrepreneurial investments and initial public offerings. c. Ease financial and economic regulations, promote lifestyle industries To boost investments in the real economy’s production activities, the Financial Supervisory Commission has proposed a program to lift the real economy through the financial sector. Under this initiative, the financial sector will provide industries with capital resources, financial consultation, and hardware and software support. To encourage growth in innovative industries and online technologies, we will operate with minimal regulations, forward-looking strategies and flexible laws. Amendments will also be made to the Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals, the Company Act, and the Copyright Act. We will create a financial regulatory environment that matches international norms in the areas of asset-backed securities, telecommuting, the sharing economy, remote health care, e-governance, and corporate anti-corruption efforts. To strengthen Taiwan’s anti-tax evasion regime, the Executive Yuan approved amendments to the Income Basic Tax Act on July 21 and submitted them to the Legislature the following day. These amendments are intended to deter individuals from circumventing tax liabilities. Aside from the five innovative industries, the government continues to promote better living industries such as new agriculture, tourism and leisure, disaster prevention technology and residential building improvement. These efforts will stimulate domestic demand, create local jobs, and find export opportunities for lifestyle industries. We are also keeping a close eye on livestock and fishery issues. For livestock, we will make Taiwan’s pork industry more competitive by modernizing pig farming techniques and preventing livestock infections. For fisheries, we will bring Taiwan in line with international fishery and management norms by pushing the Act for Distant Water Fisheries and two other bills, all of which were approved during the Legislature’s previous session. The government will actively protect Taiwan’s fish and fishing waters to ensure the sustainability of these operations. 2. Weave a social safety net, achieve a new social justice a. Build a safe homeland, promote urban renewal To make sure every person has a safe home to live in, the government will promote a safe residence project, discourage real estate speculation, create a robust home rental system, and promote social housing. Together, central and local governments will select suitable sites for building new homes, manage existing rental units on behalf of private owners, and offer volume incentives. Our goal is to build 200,000 social housing units for rental purposes within eight years. To expand housing support for disadvantaged groups, the Executive Yuan submitted an amendment on the Housing Act to the Legislature on September 2, recommending an increase in the proportion of social housing units for economically or socially disadvantaged groups to 30 percent. The government will continue to reinforce old buildings for seismic resistance, prevent soil liquefaction in at-risk areas, change disaster prevention laws, restructure the disaster prevention system, and improve related capabilities. We will also amend building architecture laws to better manage construction projects and make oversight and inspection more rigorous. The government will enhance regulations on urban renewal and urban regeneration, setting up a dedicated agency to promote urban renewal and effective land use. b. Reinforce food safety, protect the public’s health To manage food safety and ensure the health of citizens, we will promote five food safety policies: (1) Tighten source control: The Environmental Protection Administration will set up an agency to manage toxic chemicals and track the flow of chemical substances from the start of the production process. (2) Rebuild the production management system: Create a food tracing and product-origin label system that allows consumers to see every step of the product’s manufacturing history. (3) Step up market inspections: Increase the frequency and intensity of inspection of high-risk products by 10 times and conduct cross-domain and cross-agency inspections. (4) Place greater responsibility on manufacturers: Change laws to impose heavier punishment on violators and encourage stricter self-management by manufacturers. (5) Promote citizen oversight: Offer rewards to people who report corrupt companies to authorities. c. Expand community care services, improve long-term care quality As the problems of population aging and birth rate decline become more acute in Taiwan, the government will continue to promote a three-pronged policy of child care, long-term care and employment. This policy integrates child and adult care services with medical resources, builds community care networks, and helps families care for their young and old. We will create a comprehensive child care personnel system, expand public education and care services, subsidize and open more public and nonprofit kindergartens, and provide quality and affordable child care services. To establish an accessible, affordable and quality long-term care system, the Executive Yuan has appointed a long-term care task force to marshal health care, long-term care, and preventive health resources for the “10-year long-term care 2.0 project.” Through a community-based care model, the task force works with local governments and service providers to design long-term care services specific to each locale. The project team is currently holding explanatory meetings around the country to solicit the public’s feedback to make policies more complete. We will also cultivate a quality and abundant long-term care work force, elevate the professional value and social standing of care providers, and protect their labor rights and personal safety. We will also use earmarked taxes and public service budgets to make sure the long-term care system has ample and steady revenue streams. d. Reform the pension system, ensure social security To create a sustainable national pension system, the Office of the President has established a Pension Reform Committee and will hold a national pension conference to communicate and build a consensus with the public. The Executive Yuan also set up a pension reform office on June 8 to carry out related tasks. Moving forward, we will amend laws and redesign the pension system based on the public consensus, ensure the sustainability of the system, and safeguard the economic security of senior citizens. To improve the work environment and protect labor rights, the government has amended numerous laws and reduced the number of working hours nationwide. To make sure all workers have two days off each week, the government has adopted a “one fixed day off, one flexible rest day” scheme, which is currently the most practical method for protecting employees’ rights while allowing companies to maintain flexible operations. To ensure workers can sustain basic living standards, we will review minimum wage laws; improve the career counseling, job matching and vocational training system; promote special legislation on employment for middle-aged and older workers; and find jobs for workers of all ages. As for the illicit drug problem, we will cut off the substances at the source by tightening drug and border controls. The government will set up a drug crimes database, create a cross-regional joint prevention mechanism, assign more personnel to fighting drugs, and minimize the space in which drug criminals can operate. Fraud operations are growing by the day as scammers make greater use of communications technology. To curb the spread of fraud crimes, we will cooperate with other countries and use high-tech methods to track and seize stolen money and goods. Random killings in recent times have shocked all sectors of our society. In response, we have established an interministerial task force to take measures addressing high-risk groups and to push for tougher criminal prosecutions. In the future, we will enhance victim support and assistance measures, promote media self- and peer-regulation, strengthen community shelters, conduct case studies, and stem the problem before it arises. e. Push for transitional justice, deepen democratic reform The government will, in a most sincere manner, pursue transitional justice and redress the undemocratic and unconstitutional acts that occurred during Taiwan’s martial law period. We will gather and disclose political files from the past, hold the perpetrators accountable and uncover the truth. To create a fair environment for political competition, the government promulgated the Act Governing the Handling of Ill-gotten Properties by Political Parties and Their Affiliate Organizations on August 10, and on August 31 established the Ill-gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee to handle these matters. To achieve transitional justice for Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, President Tsai established the Indigenous Historical Justice and Transitional Justice Commission under the Presidential Office on August 1. She also designated that day Indigenous People’s Day to underscore the importance of aboriginal culture and history. Our three objectives for the future: thoroughly enforce the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law, achieve historical justice for indigenous peoples, and lay the foundation for indigenous autonomy. We also hope to submit related bills on autonomy, land and waters rights, and language development to the Legislature soon for ratification. 3. Improve infrastructure quality, create a new sustainable environment a. Enhance construction efficiency, strengthen procurement laws When promoting public works, my administrative team will emphasize practicality and efficiency while avoiding waste of resources. We will push strategic projects such as digital infrastructure, new energy and water resources, and smart transportation systems. During that process, we will cultivate globally competitive engineering consultant and construction businesses. We will also examine the efficiency and effectiveness of public construction projects, and establish mechanisms for clarifying rights and obligations, allocating profits, and settling disputes between the public and private sectors. To improve the quality of government procurements, the Public Construction Commission will promote a most advantageous tender system, amend outdated procurement regulations, and streamline procedures for better efficiency. b. Build a sustainable homeland, stabilize energy supply and demand This administration pledges to tackle the challenges that have been brought on by climate change, global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. We will create a comprehensive legal framework for greenhouse gas reduction, transform Taiwan into a low-carbon economy, and fulfill the country’s carbon-reduction commitments. Earlier on June 23, the Executive Yuan inaugurated an energy and carbon reduction office that coordinates resources across agencies and facilitates participation by the government, academia and businesses. Because Taiwan is heavily reliant on imported energy, the government will increase the proportion of energy from renewable sources by developing new resources and building a safe, stable, efficient and clean energy supply system. This strategy will simultaneously meet the needs for energy safety, environment sustainability and a green economy. In addition, we will promote smart grids, build energy storage systems and liberalize the electricity market in order to create a sustainable environment and make Taiwan nuclear-free by 2025. To improve air quality, we will continue to monitor and regulate the nation’s air quality and PM 2.5 emissions (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter). Our approach is to be practical in the short-term and rigorous in the long-term. In water conservation efforts, the administration will match water supplies and demands more efficiently, tap new sources, promote desalination projects, recycle wastewater and utilize groundwater. We will also encourage water conservation, reallocate water resources and protect catchment areas as we build a diversified and sustainable supply system. The waters surrounding Taiwan are teeming with rich and diverse marine ecologies that need stronger protection and restoration by the government. We will also work to prevent pollution incidents and grow the marine tourism industry. 4. Raise governance efficiency, balance regional development a. Allocate manpower appropriately, improve fiscal efficiency With limited government resources, it is imperative to utilize resources and manpower as efficiently as possible. We will allocate personnel more appropriately, assign more people to core tasks, streamline management and evaluation procedures, and review our internal control and assessment mechanisms. We will also create a performance evaluation system that encourages proactive work behavior, responsibility and flexibility. To enhance fiscal discipline, we studied economic trends and indicators around the world and deliberated on the “loan cap” limits stipulated in the Public Debt Act. We also weighed and prioritized all of our policy programs and used “zero-based budgeting” principles to come up with the Central Government General Budget Proposal for 2017. To improve fiscal discipline at the local government level, my administrative team will allocate more tax revenues to programs that offer broad-ranging benefits, cover multiple regions and set examples for other programs. b. Implement national land planning, foster regional prosperity To balance development in different regions of Taiwan, we will use a “regional governance” model that promotes industrial clusters and development projects for six regions: (1) Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung and Yilan; (2) Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli; (3) Taichung, Changhua and Nantou; (4) Yunlin, Chiayi and Tainan; (5) Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Penghu; and (6) Hualien, Taitung, Kinmen and Matsu. By granting more power and resources to local governments and having them work together on regional projects, we will boost the growth of each region and encourage sharing of resources. In national land planning, we will step up protection of the island’s ecological chain, survey and integrate information on disaster-prone or environmentally sensitive areas, and prevent overdevelopment of national land. We will also build a detailed and dynamic national land information sharing system, strengthen land planning and disaster relief capabilities, encourage local governments to use assistive information systems when making decisions, improve the country’s disaster information portal, and increase disaster rapid-response capabilities. 5. Enrich educational and cultural content, promote ethnic equality a. Improve education quality, close the education-to-employment gap To make sure all high school and above students can access education, the government on August 1 lowered tuition loan interest rates for different household income levels, benefiting 436,000 students. Those from low- and lower-middle-income households or households earning less than NT$30,000 (US$940) per month in the previous year may also defer repayment of the principal and extend the term of the loan. To address the overexpansion of colleges and universities and narrow the gap between vocational training and industry needs, we will transform higher education and reshape the vocational education system. Aside from helping schools develop unique advantages that support local industries, the government will strengthen academia-industry collaborations to cultivate students with job-ready skills. We will also continue promoting online learning to narrow the rural-urban gap in educational resources, and facilitate the sharing of teaching resources by building hardware infrastructure and creating educational content applications. b. Foster diversity of innovation, develop cultural creative industries Strengthening Taiwan’s cultural power is the core of our culture policy. In addition to launching cultural education programs throughout the 12-year national education system, we will promote cultural experiences for the public in order to cultivate a culture-consuming and culturally literate society. To help artists and cultural workers unleash their creative potential, the government will build a support system and reform the award and subsidy mechanism. To underscore the significance of Taiwan’s cultural assets, the Ministry of Culture in June 2016 approved 11 historical site restoration projects at 10 cities and counties, linking cultural preservation to local lifestyles and the tourism industry. c. Promote ethnic harmony, ensure equal rights Under our indigenous policy, we have launched an all-out effort to promote and protect indigenous rights, integrating central and local resources to implement a package of 32 policies and 80 specific measures. To provide indigenous peoples with equal opportunities for economic development, the Executive Yuan on August 8 approved the third phase (2017-2020) of the indigenous peoples’ employment program, dedicating NT$5.76 billion (US$182.3 million) to expanding job training and cooperative education for indigenous peoples. Regarding our Hakka policy, we have planned a “Romantic Provincial Highway 3” project as part of our regional governance model. The project will link the economies, ecologies and cultural landscapes of 16 Hakka communities along this route, promoting Hakka culture and bolstering Hakka industry clusters. We also hope to draw more young people to this region and make it a successful model for developing other regions. For new immigrants, we will expand their eligibility for social welfare and government assistance, recognize academic degrees from their home countries, pass on their languages to the next generation, and help them assimilate into Taiwan society. We will also use their linguistic and cultural advantages to launch an array of private-sector exchanges with Southeast Asian countries. 6. Fortify national defense capabilities, expand international and cross-strait space a. Bolster autonomous defense, increase international presence To achieve greater autonomy in national defense, we will focus first on manufacturing our own military aircraft, warships and advanced weapons. We will also expand the national defense market by combining government defense technology research with civilian production. Our efforts will center on the aerospace, shipbuilding and information security industries. In foreign relations, we will continue enhancing interactions with friendly nations such as the U.S. and Japan. Furthermore, the Executive Yuan recently proposed the New Southbound Policy Promotion Plan to boost ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations members, South Asian countries, New Zealand and Australia. Built around the core concepts of long-term exploration, multipronged development and mutual benefit, the plan will integrate the resources and strengths of central government agencies, local governments as well as private companies and organizations. By promoting economic collaboration, conducting talent exchange, sharing resources and building regional links, Taiwan hopes to forge a new and mutually beneficial model of cooperation and a sense of economic community with those countries. To attract more Southeast Asian tourists to Taiwan, we have extended visa-free privileges to Thai and Bruneian passport holders for stays of up to 30 days, and granted conditional visa-waiver privileges to Indonesian, Vietnamese and Filipino visitors. We will monitor the results of these initiatives and adopt more effective, open measures to draw more tourists to Taiwan. As for regional economic integration, the government will continue to seek membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. We are working to close gaps between domestic regulations and the standards set by these agreements. As of today, the Executive Yuan has sent draft amendments on the Postal Act, the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, the Patent Act and the Copyright Act to the Legislature for deliberation. b. Pursue stable cross-strait relations, seek exchanges based on equality and dignity Maintaining the status quo will be our core ideal for ensuring peaceful and stable cross-strait relations. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait can only achieve a win-win situation by pursuing peaceful development, understanding each other, and seeking common ground while accepting differences. The government will establish a firm foundation for cross-strait negotiations by following the principles of openness and transparency, participation by the public, and monitoring by the Legislature. Our aim is to promote interactions on the basis of equality and dignity and address common issues in a sincere manner. We hope to build a consistent, predictable and sustainable cross-strait relationship through positive dialogue between the two sides’ semi-official agencies. c. Safeguard sovereignty in the South China Sea, resolve disputes among parties While the South China Sea arbitration results have undermined Taiwan’s sovereignty and fishing rights in those waters, the government remains resolute in defending its sovereignty and interests. We will deal with territorial disputes through peaceful means, shelving differences and promoting joint development. As an indispensable party to the South China Sea dispute resolution mechanism, Taiwan should be included in any multilateral mechanism on an equal footing. We also hope all interested parties to the South China Sea can set up a coordination and cooperation mechanism for nontraditional security issues such as environmental protection, scientific research, and anti-maritime-crime efforts. The parties must join hands and negotiate on an equal basis to advance the area’s peace and stability.   III. Promote dialogue, lift Taiwan together Although people may hold different memories and perceptions of our nation’s history and social changes, it is this diversity of opinions that makes up the vitality of the Taiwanese people. As long as we remain resolute and stand united, we will able to grow as a nation and overcome whatever challenges that lie ahead. Since I assumed the premiership on May 20, my administrative team has actively sought the views of different civic groups, business associations, and opinion leaders. We will continue striving to balance the issues and solve problems through a humble yet effective approach. Aside from the 2017 Central Government General Budget Proposal, the Executive Yuan has submitted various priority bills to the Legislative Yuan for consideration. I respectfully request your support for these bills. Looking forward, I hope the legislative and executive branches can work closer together in our common desire to improve the well-being of citizens. Let us infuse a sure and steadfast confidence into Taiwan and allow the nation to shine with pride and glory. Finally, please do not hesitate to offer any critique or advice you may have. My sincere thanks to all lawmakers and legislative staff, as well as members of the media, for your hard work and efforts. I wish you all much health and success. Thank you. <上版日期>105-09-13 <更新日期>106-10-03 <發布日期>105-12-21 <相關圖片>