Premier Mao Chi-kuo today affirmed the accomplishments made in promoting sustainable development and economic growth of the ROC's offshore islands.
These islands' major infrastructure has reached a sizable scale of development over the past six to seven years due to the injection of funds from various ministries, local residents, and local governments, as well as the Offshore Islands Development Fund, Mao said. Although some major construction is still continuing, tourism and specialty industries such as the cultural and creative industries are continuing to grow.
The premier made these remarks at the weekly Cabinet meeting after a briefing by the National Development Council (NDC) on achievements in promoting the development of offshore islands.
Sustainability is the goal for offshore island infrastructure, the premier pointed out. He expects the development of the islands' diverse and rich cultures and ecological characteristics to foster their industrial soft power, energizing their economies and raising the living quality of their residents.
The premier reiterated that the Offshore Islands Development Fund should play a supplementary role and that the various ministries must respectively budget the necessary funds. Making sound use of the fund could create a multiplier effect for the development of "marine blue" and low-carbon economies, increase local employment opportunities, and attain the goal of sustainable development, the premier pointed out.
Tourism is also an important aspect of these islands' development, Mao pointed out. Kinmen in particular requires tourist volume control, so water and electricity, tour quality, and travelers' accommodations must all be considered from that perspective. The relevant ministries and agencies must pay attention to these issues and make preparations as early as possible.
The NDC stated that the government has garnered good results by assisting the development of offshore islands' ecotourism, cultural and creative industries, and agricultural and fishery industries as well as the preservation of ethnic settlements. The number of tourists visiting these islands has risen dramatically, from 1.3 million in 2000 to 4.86 million in 2014. Meanwhile unemployment rates in Kinmen and Matsu have been decreasing every year and are lower than in Taiwan proper.