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Chen says environmental protection a top priority

"In making Taiwan a Green Silicon Island, we should keep in mind that the `green' is more important than the `silicon island.'"

President Chen Shui-bian

Environmental protection is a top priority if we do not want to cause irremediable damage on our way to pursue a society characterized by high technology, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday.

Accompanied by Environmental Protection Administrator (EPA) Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) and Administrative Vice Minister of Education Lu Mu-lin (呂木琳), more than 40 student and teacher representatives involved in environmental protection were received by Chen.

In addition to expressing his appreciation to people endeavoring to practice environmental protection in their day-to-day life, Chen stressed the importance of sustainable development.

"In making Taiwan a Green Silicon Island, we should keep in mind that the `green' is more important than the `silicon island,'" he said.

This is the first time that Chen has highlighted environmental protection, and it comes in the wake of a controversial referendum held by residents in Pinling Township, Taipei County, last Saturday.

About 98 percent of Pinglin residents who cast their ballots are in favor of having the Taipei-Ilan Freeway, currently under construction, include a Pinglin exit. But the result immediately prompted the EPA to disagree.

The EPA's Hau said last Saturday that the result was unacceptable, because water supply areas in Taipei County would be affected by the establishment of a service ramp in Pinglin.

Hau argued that "public opinion should not be more important than a professional one" and "the result of an advisory referendum should not overthrow that of an environmental impact assessment."

On Wednesday, Hau said at a closed-door meeting held by the Cabinet that certain issues needed to be evaluated in terms of professional aspects.
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