The country must surge ahead, MAC chairwoman says

Taiwan must move forward if it wants to avoid being overtaken by China, Mainland Affairs Council Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

"During this era of economic globalization, Taiwan must pursue continued growth and advancement; otherwise, it will be superseded by China," Tsai said in a keynote speech delivered at a seminar held in Yunlin.

Tsai expounded the basic principles and direction of the government's policy on relations across the Strait to the more-than 230 senior business executives interested in launching investment projects in a new science-based industrial park in Yunlin.

"Cross-strait relations must be handled with a global perspective as they are an integral part of regional and international relations," Tsai said, adding that from a global viewpoint, Taiwan must sustain its economic development in order to survive competition from China.

Noting that the world is suffering from global deflation, Tsai said local industries must cut production costs, streamline management and upgrade productivity to maintain their market niches.