The Executive Yuan today convened the first symposium this year between the premier and political affairs consultants.
These advisors come from various sectors of society, spanning arts and literature, education, businesses, social welfare, politics and medicine, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said. They have each made outstanding contributions to the nation, and he anticipated hearing their views and suggestions based on their varied backgrounds and experiences.
The consultants at today's symposium hailed from Taiwanese cities and counties from Hsinchu County northward. A second symposium, for consultants from the rest of the island as well as offshore islands, will be held next week on September 11.
The consultants at today's symposium spoke their minds freely. Regarding the issue of opening government information, the premier mentioned the ide@ Taiwan 2020 policy white paper that has been promoted by various ministries. Under the big data concept, the administration hopes through coordination between the public and private sectors as well as international linkage to help young people start businesses and usher in online business opportunities.
In revitalizing the economy, Mao noted that in light of the global economic slowdown the nation faces more difficulties than other countries, such as its mid- and long-term problems of adjusting the industrial structure and manufactured products as well as expanding businesses' overseas markets. Nevertheless, the administration is presently implementing measures to bolster the nation's economic structure.
Electricity, water and energy were also main concerns of today's symposium. The premier stated he had already tasked the Ministry of Economic Affairs to expedite the implementation of a third natural-gas power plant. Regarding solar and wind power generation, the Executive Yuan will go all-out to promote all feasible plans. However, new alternative energy sources will require more than seven to eight years to develop; meanwhile, the administration must still tackle energy issues pragmatically and squarely in response to industry demand.
In order to incorporate views from various sectors and based on the Executive Yuan's rules for hiring political affairs consultants, the Executive Yuan has hired outstanding personnel from various sectors of society to serve as consultants, the Executive Yuan stated. In line with past practice, the administration has organized symposiums for consultants to exchange views with the premier.
Consultants' written suggestions will be transferred to the competent ministries and agencies for deliberation and reply, and the results of their deliberation will be posted on the Executive Yuan's Chinese-language website for public perusal at http://www.ey.gov.tw/Consultant.aspx?n=D4530250726828B1&sms=F00CD3B681396983.