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Taiwan Business Alliance: Lu praises government's economic achievements

The government's record in economic development over the past three years has won recognition from the world's major international economic institutes, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) told the 2003 Taiwan Business Alliance Conference yesterday.

"According to the World Economic Forum's 2003 Global Competitiveness Report, Taiwan's Growth Competitiveness Index ranked third in the world, which shows the efforts by the government and business have paid off," Lu said.

The vice president was speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Ministry of Finance in honor of the international conference's participants.

Lu said that Taiwan will continue to focus its industrial development strategies on technological research and development. The goal was to strengthen the country's leading position in high-tech industries as well as to develop the digital and biotechnology industries, she said.

"We will strengthen the base of those industries that have already achieved a leading position, especially the semiconductor and liquid-crystal display industries, to generate greater influence in the world," Lu said.

Speaking on cross-strait trade, Lu promoted her "soft power" strategy in response to China's enduring military threat.

"Some may consider the Taiwan Strait a region of tension and hostility. But in our eyes, this is an area full of business opportunities," Lu said.

"Our message is clear: We want peace, not war," Lu said.

Noting that the people of Taiwan have lived with constant threats and bullying from China over the years, Lu said the fundamental difference between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait actually lies in different views covering human rights, individual freedoms and political systems.

"It is the `basic values' that make the two societies different," Lu stressed.

Lu said that in her view, the ultimate goal of peace is unattainable "unless you can reach both democracy and prosperity."

Fortunately, Taiwan had been able to achieve all three goals of democracy, peace and prosperity, Lu said.

"We are willing to bring our experiences into play for the benefit of all mankind," Lu said.
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