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Chen says tourists won't come to see dirty, polluted sites

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday noted the importance of transforming the existing urban and rural appearance into a pleasant landscape as it would be a very important factor in attracting tourists to Taiwan.

Chen made his remarks while visiting an ecological conservation and restoration habitat, which the Changhua County government had rebuilt from a military camp.

"The idea of creating this ecological habitat not only made good use of abandoned land, but also represents the features of Changhua -- finding a new life for the development of the old community," Chen said.

While people used to think highly of economic development in the past, it turns out that the environment has deteriorated, Chen said.

He said environmental transformation was important to advance economic development.

"Without a beautiful and pleasant living environment, not only is it difficult to attract foreign tourists, but locals wouldn't like to live there," he said.

In related news, Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) also discussed the country's environmental situation yesterday.

Riding in a helicopter flying over Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli counties for about two hours, Lu inspected the devastation of the mountains and rivers.

Lu didn't express her feelings about the trip, but decided to convene a series of meetings to map out a strategy about how to improve environmental problems.

The Presidential Office's department of public affairs said that Lu will invite the chiefs of local governments to attend the meeting. The first meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26 and the issues to be discussed include the usage of water resources, the soil and water conservation and environmental protection.
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