With the nation's entry into the WTO, the words "Made in Taiwan" will eventually appear on products in every corner of the world, Vice President Annette Lu (
Lu made the remarks on the first day of Taiwan's membership in the world trade body.
With Taiwan becoming the WTO's 144th member, Lu said, the nation will no longer be the "world's orphan" but instead a "world-favored child."
The vice president was speaking at the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Taichung yesterday to mark Taiwan's entry into the world trade group.
"Since Taiwan was expelled from the United Nations in 1971, Taiwan has become a world orphan," Lu said. "Even so, Taiwan has strived for survival. Nowadays, Taiwan is no longer a world orphan. Instead, Taiwan is a world-favored child."
In addition, Lu said China and Taiwan should set aside arguments over the so-called "1992 consensus" now that the two are members of the WTO.
"If 15 countries of Europe can be integrated, both sides of the Strait can treat each other equally, too," Lu said.
The vice president also reminded the Taiwanese business community to view China not as a "destination" point for investment but a "station along the way."
She warned businesses not to turn Taiwan into another Penghu by draining capital and talent from the country.
Lu said that the offshore island has struggled economically because too many of its professionals have relocated to Taiwan proper.
She also said Taiwan should follow the trend of globalization instead of "mainlandization" or "marginalization."
Still, while WTO entry offers many opportunities, Lu also acknowledged that there also tough times ahead. For example, the unemployment rate is expected to rise within the next three to six months.
Lu said that she plans to establish a scholarship to help teenage school dropouts of jobless parents return to class.
Former president Lee Teng-hui (
Lee said that although the agricultural sector will likely be hardest hit, the impact can be reduced by focusing on Taiwan's highly competitive high-tech industry.
"Through Taiwan's high-tech and biotechnology sectors, the commercialization of agricultural products, tactical alliances and marketing, Taiwan can overcome those challenges," Lee said.
The former KMT chairman noted that while Taiwan must remove tariffs that protect domestic industries, the country will also enjoy most favored nation status privileges with its trading partners and access to overseas markets.
In addition, Lee said the coming year looks bright for the nation. If the people remain confident and maintain a strong sense of national identity, the TAIEX should soar to 7,000 points, he said.Also See WTO Inside
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