On August 1 Indigenous Peoples' Day, Premier Cho Jung-tai paid tribute to Taiwan's indigenous peoples on behalf of the government, whom he said have proactively protected the nation's mountains, forests and land, and developed rich and unique cultures, all the while coexisting and sharing prosperity with the nation's other ethnic groups. They have helped develop Taiwan's tapestry of diverse values and cultures into a precious asset which the nation can draw upon to project itself externally and engage with the world.
The premier made the remarks at the Cabinet's weekly meeting, after receiving a briefing from the Council of Indigenous Peoples on a new policy blueprint for Taiwan's indigenous communities.
In the last eight years, the government has made concrete progress in promoting indigenous cultures and safeguarding indigenous rights, the premier said. Moving forward, the government will build on this foundation to further enhance indigenous rights protections and advance the development of indigenous people across a wide range of fields. The government will also employ relevant policy measures to support the rights and interests of indigenous populations in urban areas, encompassing daily life, education, health and employment.