Yu inspired by publisher

Premier Yu Shyi-kun seemed to draw inspiration from a speech made by a local publisher after a weekly closed-door Cabinet meeting.

After the meeting he said that Taiwan should continue down its path of reforms and carefully handle the problems caused by the Chinese market, thereby responding to the radical changes of the global, political and economic climate.

"Reform is the one and only way to move forward in the face of domestic and global challenges," Cabinet Spokesman Chuang Suo-hang (莊碩漢) quoted Premier Yu Shyi-kun as saying yesterday. "I'm afraid if we do not move on this now, it will be too late and we will regret the consequences of inaction."

The Chinese market might have a more adverse than positive impact on Taiwan if the government fails to carefully formulate cross-strait policies.

"It's a two-edged sword: although the Chinese market has a lot of potential, it also brings unprecedented challenges," Yu said. "As we aggressively push for the opening of direct cross-strait transportation, we should take care not lose our competitive edge."

Yu made the remark in response to the speech entitled "Taiwan's Economic Strategies in a New Century" delivered by Hsieh Chin-ho (謝金河), publisher of the Win-Win Weekly (今週刊), during yesterday's weekly closed-door Cabinet affairs meeting.

Hsieh was invited to speak at the Presidential Office on Tuesday as part of the celebration events marking the 136th birthday of the nation's founding father, Sun Yat-sen (孫逸仙).

In addition to pointing out the challenges faced by the nation, Hsieh offered advice on how to tackle with them. According to Hsieh, many domestic and international factors have contributed to the challenges faced by Taiwan today.

What the government could do, Hsieh said, is to depreciate NT dollars to attract foreign investments.