Premier Su Tseng-chang took a moment at today's weekly meeting of the Cabinet to express his respect and admiration for the hard work and dedication of the nation's many fathers on Taiwan's traditional August 8 celebration of Father's Day. The premier also noted that this year is the 10th anniversary of the Typhoon Morakot catastrophe and two decades since the powerful September 21 Jiji earthquake.
Both disasters caused massive damage: The torrential rains of Typhoon Morakot set precipitation records and left affected areas inundated, while the great quake of September 21, 1999 claimed the lives of thousands, destroying basic infrastructure and delivering a serious blow to the national economy. Nevertheless, the people of Taiwan responded to these tragedies with incomparable fortitude, courage, camaraderie and an embracing love for their fellow compatriots. Striding forth from the wreckage with a steady gait and renewed confidence, the people demonstrated to the full the nation's innate vigor and vitality. The episodes also left a deep impression for the need to humbly respect the power of nature.
Taiwan is situated in a part of the world prone to earthquakes and powerful storms, and faces the increasingly frequent and ferocious challenges of extreme climate and natural disasters. Premier Su emphasized that the government must adopt a diligent and meticulous approach as it continuously reviews and seeks to identify shortcomings in disaster response systems, as well as knit together more comprehensive, responsive regulations.
Through the application of technologically advanced and refined integrated disaster-prevention capabilities and expanded public-private cooperation, mutual efforts can engineer an even firmer and more resistant land, said the premier. Improved disaster prevention and avoidance, coupled with harm reduction and an enhanced ability to recover quickly from all manner of catastrophes, will provide the people of Taiwan the means to create a peaceful, happy, prosperous and sustainable homeland.