In a fast-changing Internet world, the government's ide@Taiwan 2020 policy white paper must be reviewed on a rolling basis, Premier Chang San-cheng said today after hearing the National Development Council's (NDC) report on the white paper. This blueprint for national digital development was published last year to lead Taiwan through a profusion of cyber technologies such as cloud computing, big data and the Internet of Things.
Digital currency, for instance, is a new development that must be included in the paper, the premier said. The governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will be delivering a report on digital currency (or electronic money) later today at the Legislative Yuan, hence the Financial Supervisory Commission and the Ministry of Finance should help the central bank strengthen the digital currency section of the white paper. He also requested the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to reinforce transport-related contents such as vehicle infrastructure integration and the electronic toll collection (ETC) system.
According to the NDC, ide@Taiwan 2020 serves as a guiding principle for government agencies in promoting Internet-related policies. With contents ranging from socioeconomic and environmental issues to governance, vital infrastructure and regulatory adjustment, the white paper consists of 16 subtopics under five areas. Achievements so far are as follows:
In the area of infrastructural environment, the government has eased regulations governing the virtual world, including laws on electronic payment institutions, close companies and equity-based crowdfunding.
In transparent governance, agencies continue to promote open data. For this effort, Taiwan earned a world No. 1 ranking in the 2015 Open Data Index released by the Open Knowledge Foundation.
In intelligent lifestyle, the government has expanded a food maker registration system as well as an agricultural product traceability system, promoted data sharing among interdisciplinary platforms, facilitated education in remote regions using digital technology, and encouraged the use of 4G technology for innovative video and music productions.
In the Internet economy, Taiwan has seen significant growth in the number of innovative startups raising funds as well as the amount of venture capital and corporate investment they have attracted. The government has also endeavored to build a digital banking environment to help banks expand mobile payment services.
In smart homeland, the government has released disaster warning data and promoted Taiwan's renowned ETC system to other countries. Plans are underway to develop a public warning system to aid inter-ministerial disaster prevention efforts.