Vice Premier Mao, Secretary-General Lee, ministers without portfolio, heads of ministries and commissions, Executive Yuan colleagues, ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning. Thank you all for attending this provisional meeting for the Cabinet's resignation. It has been over a year and nine months since I accepted the president's order to form this Cabinet.
Thanks to the team's hard work over this period, the Executive Yuan was able to promote many important policies and lead the nation forward in the right direction. Among our many accomplishments, we implemented economic stimulus programs, promoted youth employment programs, revised the Income Tax Act, supported the growth of social enterprises, raised national minimum wages, reformed the Old-Age Farmers' Welfare Allowance Program, signed economic cooperation agreements with New Zealand and Singapore, and completed the electrification of the Hualien-Taitung railway line.
We also implemented the second-phase reform of the technical and vocational education system, completed integration of nurseries and kindergartens, promoted free economic pilot zones, relaxed regulations allowing foreign and overseas-Chinese students to work in Taiwan after graduation, developed e-commerce operations, established a national performing arts center, and set up elderly daycare centers across the nation.
On the other hand, we faced many unexpected challenges that required us to respond swiftly and carefully. These included the Guang Da Xing fishing boat incident, the death of Corporal Hung Chung-chiu, the no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, the Sunflower student movement, the Penghu airplane crash, the Kaohsiung gas explosions, and the string of food safety scandals.
As we look back on this journey, we are filled with a wide range of mixed feelings. However, I believe none of us regret the hard work and sacrifices we made for the good of the people and the nation. Because of our efforts and persistence, many groundbreaking and progressive policies were enacted. At times, we were dismayed by public criticisms; at others, a word of encouragement uplifted us and affirmed that our labor have not been in vain.
I believe when people look back on this part of history, they will judge us fairly. Even if the critique is unfair, I hope we will not take it too much to heart. As an old adage has it, it is more important to be true to one's conscience than to satisfy the wishes of others.
You have upheld your values and given your best for the nation. No matter what the outcome may be, you can look back with no regrets. In my heart, you will always be my best partners and my best team. You have served and sacrificed for the nation, and you have not let the people down.
Of course, the outcomes of last week's elections reveal that the public is still dissatisfied with the administration's policy directions. Aside from respecting the will of the people as expressed through their votes, we should examine why we were unable to win more support this time. Only through self-examination and constant improvement can the nation advance.
This point is of particular importance to those who will remain in the next Cabinet, and I wish them greater success in promoting their policies. I also hope that those departing the Cabinet can take this opportunity to rest awhile before resuming their contributions to Taiwan in a different way.
As the Cabinet enters the caretaker stage, the heads of all ministries and commissions should stand fast at their posts and attend to all routine national affairs and matters of citizens' well-being. Any major or controversial policies can be decided when the new heads take office. Hopefully the reshuffle will not take long, but please act with prudence during this period of time.
Finally, I would like to once again extend my sincerest gratitude to all Executive Yuan members. I will always remember my days here and take pride in having worked with you all. I wish everyone much health, happiness and success. Thank you!