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Chen helps create Taiwan Thinktank

President Chen Shui-bian, center, joins the inauguration ceremony of the Taiwan Thinktank yesterday afternoon in Taipei along with directors Lin Ming-cheng, second right, and Ke Cheng-en, second left, as well as a number of other consultants and trustees of the think tank. The president said he expected the think tank's formation would bridge the gap ``between knowledge and policy.'' PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday promoted the establishment of the Taiwan Thinktank as a key step toward bridging the gap between the government and the private sector, saying it would improve the nation's brainstorming.

The newly established research institute, which was organized by close aides to Chen and heavyweights from academic and industry circles, is regarded as "President A-bian's brain trust."

Speaking at the Taiwan Thinktank's inauguration ceremony yesterday, Chen said he believes the institute will become the government's partner and help in coming up with suggestions for policy-making.

"Taiwan must step up the pace of recruiting talent," Chen said.

Though the think tank was just launched yesterday, eight forums under its auspices have taken place over the past year, said Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), a senior advisor to the National Security Council and a key player with the Taiwan Thinktank.

"[Up for discussion were] issues about WTO entry, government restructuring and the agenda of the Economic Development Advisory Conference," Lin said.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Far Eastern Hotel yesterday. Chen, Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) and a host of Cabinet members were all present at the ceremony. DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and TSU Chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) also attended, along with KMT Vice-Chairman Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) and National Policy Foundation President Chiang Ping-kun (江丙坤).

Chen, speaking at the ceremony, said that the date the Taiwan Thinktank was formed would be marked in history. He said he expects its formation would bridge the gap "between knowledge and policy," create "an alliance between the private sector and the government," and facilitate "an integration of talent and resources."

The president stressed that an independent think tank is an indispensable partner for a democratic government. But he also added that cooperation between the two does not mean that the government would control the think tank.

"The alliance between the private sector and the government is manifested by the process in which the industrial and academic elite can effectively participate in the policy-making process," Chen said.

"But while the government is replaced periodically, think tanks are not," Chen added.

The president also said he expects that the Taiwan Thinktank would cultivate the nation's brainpower and improve Taiwan's performance when facing global competition.

"What we call a think tank is actually a talent tank," Chen said. "We hope that the Taiwan Thinktank can help integrate the talent and resources and mobilize knowledge in the private sector. This will elevate the level of a whole generation of Taiwanese talent ... which will turn into a new generation of national leaders."

One of the think tank's founders, Ko Chen-en (柯承恩), dean of National Taiwan University's College of Management, said the establishment of the Taiwan Thinktank was the result of efforts in academic, economic and political circles to seek solutions to the challenges faced by the nation.

"Taiwan has faced unprecedented challenges. ? The government is contemplating measures to push for legislative reform while enterprises are seeking ways to set in motion business transformation," Ko said.

Ko also lamented what he termed the "sarcastic ridicule" in domestic politics, saying he expects the new think tank would instead trigger rational debate on policy.

TSU Chairman Huang told reporters that former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) is glad to see that more Taiwan-first and localization-oriented organizations are coming forward to assist the government.

"Former president Lee's Taiwan Advocates (群策會) is meant to combine knowledge with the government's policy. The ultimate goals are to develop the economy, stabilize politics and strengthen Taiwan, and the forums under the Taiwan Thinktank have similar missions. These two think tanks have their respective functions and are not mutually exclusive," Huang said.

Apart from Lin Chia-lung and Ko Chen-en, the 15 members of the Taiwan Thinktank's board also include Taiwan Stock Exchange Chairman Lin Jong-shong (林鐘雄), Land Bank of Taiwan Chairman Wea Chi-lin (魏啟林), Cathay Life Insurance Chairman Tsai Hong-tu (蔡宏圖) and Credit Suisse First Boston Taiwan Director Kung Chao-sheng (龔照勝).
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