Premier Chang San-cheng today enjoined the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) to continue utilizing its outstanding platforms to foster overseas compatriots' love for the country while proceeding with other practical matters such as building sustainable foundations for Chinese-language education, assisting overseas Taiwanese businesses to expand in international markets, and recruiting outstanding ethnic Chinese students to study in Taiwan.
Chang made these remarks at today's Cabinet meeting after the OCAC's briefing on its current tasks and prospects to turn overseas communities into strength for the nation.
Overseas compatriots and associations friendly to Taiwan constitute an important supporting force for the nation, particularly in light of mainland China striving to win over overseas compatriots, the premier pointed out.
"Looking after overseas compatriots is a mission endowed by the ROC constitution," the OCAC stated. Overseas compatriots' identification with and support for Taiwan is closely linked to the nation's development, and any compatriot who supports the ROC and loves Taiwan can receive government service, the agency pointed out. Capitalizing on the overseas communities' networks will help not only enhance the nation's image and exposure but also strengthen trade and economic exchanges, the agency added.
The OCAC pointed out that it has been proactively promoting the Chinese language and traditional Chinese characters in overseas communities and other parts of the world. It has also trained "cultural seed" teachers and youth volunteers to market Chinese culture with Taiwan characteristics. In the past eight years the agency has trained 5,910 teachers and volunteers.
The OCAC reiterated that its objective is to consolidate the support of overseas communities, and it will continue to strive in these four areas: strengthening its presence in the overseas communities and pooling their power, consolidating foundations in traditional Chinese-language education to pass on cultural heritage, linking up overseas Taiwanese businesses to market Taiwan, and recruiting ethnic Chinese students to enrich the nation's talent pool. In so doing the agency hopes to recover old friends, build up overseas community associations and transform overseas community power into national strength.