The more obvious differences between the two are the ways [we see ourselves] fulfilling those goals. So both need to ponder what to do next if we consider Taiwan's future development from a global view.
TT: Can you explain more specifically how the government keeps itself informed by participating in the summit?
Yeh: I ask all officials from diverse Cabinet agencies to collect relevant information at the summit by visiting the summit and its side events, ranging from water re-sources management to energy use. I'll see our trip to Johannesburg as a kind of investment in the difficult diplomatic situation we are actually in. I hope our plan to learn methods to solve development problems and to build links with other countries will pay off.
TT: How can Taiwan benefit from participating in the summit as a whole?
Yeh: We have to let others know that Taiwan is not absent at the summit. Just like President Chen Shui-bian (
In fact, issues pertaining to sustainable development are not politically sensitive. That's why we have to go to Johannesburg to tell the world Taiwan's story. For example, we can share with others our experience of [moving on] after the 921 earthquake. Lots of reconstruction work after the devastating earthquake has focused on making future development in victim areas sustainable.
TT: The government plans to phase out nuclear power generation. Do you see the Cabinet's formation of two special committees to handle the relocation of radioactive waste stored on Orchid Island as an action to pursue a more sustained future?
Yeh: Certainly, yes. It's a move meant to build a sincere partnership with the Aboriginal Tao people, who reside on the island. In addition, it means the government has the courage to face inevitable problems pertaining to radioactive waste management. In other words, the government internalizes the expense of managing radioactive waste into its cost.
TT: What are the government's plans to promote sustainable development in Taiwan?
Yeh: Concepts of sustainable development should be transformed into practical ways to be carried out. The Cabinet's committee for promoting sustainable development has not yet set a specific time frame to carry out the diverse tasks [that need to be accomplished for Taiwan to grow in the area of sustainable development].
After we come back from Johannesburg next month, work-shops on diverse issues will be held to show our efforts to keep Taiwan informed in the environmental sector.
RSS