The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) are welcome to participate in the forthcoming national and regional conferences on economic and trade affairs, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said today.
As such, Premier Jiang Yi-huah's office will contact the two parties for their thoughts, and if possible the premier will visit the party chairs and invite them personally. If the two chairs are unwilling to attend, invitations could be extended to their parties' members to participate as individuals.
The third meeting of the panel of consultants for the event was convened this afternoon at the Executive Yuan and co-chaired by Jiang and private-sector convener Lin Hsin-i, formerly the vice premier.
The meeting opened with National Development Council Minister Kuan Chung-ming briefing the participants on the revised conference plan. Dialogue was intensive, and consensuses were reached on the discussion topics and the name list of representatives recommended by various sectors of society. The consultants also provided valuable suggestions on the manner and content of the introductory reports to be delivered at the regional and nationwide conferences.
After much deliberation, including incorporation of opinions expressed on online social networks, the conference discussion subtopics were adjusted. The topics and subtopics are now as follows:
1. Taiwan's economic development strategies under the trend of globalization.
a) Examining current economic and industrial problems across the board as well as defining the direction of industrial transformation and upgrading in order to capitalize on the opportunities brought about by globalization.
b) How to assist youths to get hold of new developmental opportunities under the trend of globalization through innovative youth education models, turning crises into opportunities.
c) How to assist industries and disadvantaged groups impacted by globalization in order to actualize fairness and justice.
d) How to proactively develop local industries and social businesses in order to safeguard local employment and raise living standards.
2. Taiwan's entry into regional economic and trade integration in conjunction with its cross-strait economic and trade strategies.
a) Comprehensively examining issues raised by joining regional economic integration and defining the direction in which to adjust the domestic economy and trade.
b) Concrete measures Taiwan must adopt to join regional economic and trade integration.
c) Positioning and promotion strategies Taiwan should have in cross-strait economic and trade relations in order to join regional economic and trade integration.
d) How to ensure that the promotion of cross-strait economic and trade relations and participation in regional economic integration do not compromise Taiwan's national security or its economic and cultural autonomy.
As for online participation, the resolution was reached to allow for continued open online discussion and for social network participants to propose subtopics during the conferences, which will be compiled and discussed.
The list of nominated conference representatives will be amended per the panel's recommendations, Sun said. The spokesperson said after the meeting that the panel is calling for greater openness and inclusivity and has invited the DPP and TSU to participate in the event. In addition, the consultants have proposed inviting opinion leaders, and corresponding invitations will be issued as soon as the name list has been confirmed. All of the consultants at the meeting expressed hope that this conference will bring citizens together for the sake of Taiwan's economic development.
Lastly, Premier Jiang thanked the consultants for taking the time to provide valuable insights at the three consultant meetings. Jiang hopes they will participate in future online, regional and national discussions and continue advising and working with the administrative agencies to build a brighter future for Taiwan's economy and trade.
Fourteen consultants participated in today's meeting, including Professor Chen Wei-jao of National Taiwan University, Chairman Hsu Sheng-hsiung of the Chinese National Federation of Industries, Chairman Lai Cheng-i of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, President Chuang Chueh-an of the Taiwan Confederation of Trade Unions, and Chairman Yu Guo-hua of the Performing Arts Alliance.