Taiwan ranked behind Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong in a recently released list of "least corrupt" countries in East and Southeast Asia. As long as corruption persists in the civil service, backroom dealings will continue to jeopardize administrative procedures and undercut efficiency.
Chen's inaugural speech was titled "Taiwan Stands Up." One year on, he needs to make sure that Taiwan is not just standing, but moving and moving ahead. Only when the rule of law is actualized and administrative efficiency improved can Taiwan regain its competitiveness and slow the business exodus.
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