Premier Jiang Yi-huah attended the 2013 National Administrative Conference for Indigenous Peoples today, where he stressed the government's continued effort to protect and further the rights and well-being of Taiwan's original inhabitants.
"The indigenous peoples' rights and interests have always been a core aspect of the government's administration," Jiang said. "I hope during this two-day conference, indigenous peoples, academics and experts will forge a consensus on the next round of projects which will serve as the basis for our administration."
The annual conference, whose theme this year was "Self-Determination and Sustainable Development: Conference on National Policies for Indigenous Peoples in the 21st Century," opened this afternoon with a tree-planting ceremony, symbolizing "protecting the mountains and forests and safeguarding Taiwan." The event was presided by President Ma Ying-jeou, Premier Jiang and Minister Lin Chiang-I (aka Mayaw Dongi) of the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP).
In accordance with former CIP Minister Sun Ta-chuan's plans, this year's National Administrative Conference for Indigenous Peoples is in the style of a national affairs conference, Jiang said. Beginning in March of this year, academics, experts and other concerned individuals from various sectors of society have been invited to share their views on a wide range of topics: legal and administrative developments, cross-strait and international relations, education and academic research, culture and community safety, health and welfare, and economic and land justice for indigenous peoples.
The government will also take recommendations from academics and experts during the conference, the premier said. "This is just a start. The most important thing is implementing the proposed policies in order to safeguard the interests of the indigenous peoples," he emphasized.
President Ma's Golden Decade National Vision plan names indigenous development an essential government policy, Jiang pointed out. Relevant initiatives such as enhancing indigenous self-administration, boosting development of specialized indigenous industries and promoting ethno-cultural pluralism would be discussed in the conference, he said.
After many years of effort, the reconstruction of communities wrecked by Typhoon Morakot has almost been completed, the premier also noted. He thanked former CIP Minister Sun for accepting leadership of the ministry in the midst of that crisis and bringing safety and prosperity back to affected towns and families.
"I have seen post-Morakot reconstruction work create major development opportunities for Taiwan's indigenous people as it has gradually come to fruition," he said.
Jiang also affirmed the contributions of former Minister without Portfolio and Minister of the Public Construction Commission Chern Jenn-chuan to the building projects. "I have confidence that if we work together, even tasks as complex as the post-Morakot rebuilding will be completed," the premier remarked.