Society to promote eastern Taiwan

The Eastern Taiwan Society was officially launched in Hualien yesterday, with the group's leaders vowing to bring "eastern values" and an "eastern point of view" to national politics.

"Let's turn eastern Taiwan from the rear mountain into the front of the mountain,'' said Peter Huang (黃勝雄), chairman of the group and president of Hualien Mennonite Christian Hospital.

Huang said the society aims to boost the profile of eastern Taiwan -- long viewed as the country's backyard -- in national politics.

The group's establishment follows the formation of the Southern Taiwan Society, Central Taiwan Society and Northern Taiwan Society, which have similar goals for their areas.

At yesterday's ceremony, the society issued a five-point manifesto: promoting citizens' consciousness and defending Taiwan's security; giving voice to eastern Taiwan; promoting Taiwan's culture and the universal values of liberty, equality and human rights; protecting the environment; and promoting multi-cultural understanding among different ethnic groups.

Leaders of the other three regional societies missed the ceremony because most of flights and trains were cancelled nationwide due to Typhoon Nari.

But "members of the Eastern Taiwan Society arrived in Hualien last night, after several hours of driving, to witness the birth of the group with great enthusiasm," said Pan Siau-shueh (潘小雪), a member of the group's executive committee and professor at Hualien Normal College.

Asked what it meant to bring an "eastern point of view" to national politics, Shiao Jau-jiun (蕭昭君), vice chairwoman of the group, said it meant giving voice to residents of eastern Taiwan, who are often overlooked by the central government.

Pan said "eastern values" emphasize close-knit relationships between community members, environmental awareness and a relaxed, easy-going lifestyle.

"The slow pace of life and the geographic isolation make people here closed off from the outside world and reluctant to accept new ideas," Pan said.

"But at the same time, it preserves the intimate relations among people.

"Here in Hualien, everyone knows everyone and everyone cares about others," the professor said.