Taiwan should not let political ideology stand in the way of economic development, People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (
"Taiwan should put political disputes aside and focus on national interests," Soong told participants attending a symposium at the Chinese Nationalist Party's National Policy Foundation organized by the KMT-PFP alliance.
The event coincided with Retrocession Day, a day marking the anniversary of Taiwan's supposed return to Chinese rule in 1945 after 50 years of Japanese occupation.
"On this day today, Retrocession Day, we hope to retrieve Taiwan's hope and past glory," Soong said.
The PFP chairman then criticized President Chen Shui-bian (
The symposium, presided over by Soong and KMT Vice Chairman and Legislative Yuan Deputy Speaker Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤), was held to allow academics and the private sector debate Taiwan's economic development.
The symposium was regarded by some political observers as an effort by the KMT-PFP to take the spotlight off the Democratic Progressive Party's referendum march in Kaohsiung, which was also held yesterday.
Saying that peace is the premise for prosperity talks, Soong noted that Taiwan should refrain from provoking China and causing cross-strait instability.
"Taiwan should help [China's] moderates find a good reason to believe that Taiwan can coexist peacefully with China rather than providing the other side's hardliners with an excuse to take forceful measures against Taiwan," Soong said.
Prior to Soong's arrival at the event, chairman of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research and KMT Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (
Siew said that, in order to stay at the competitive edge, Taiwan's industry should become more oriented in terms of knowledge, continuity and public interests in addition to becoming more international, liberal and systematic in the modern world.
"In today's fast-paced world, no knowledge means no values," he said.
"By becoming more knowledge-oriented, we can enhance our competitiveness by becoming continuity-minded, we can work for a higher long-term quality of life, and by being more public interest-oriented, we can better look after underprivileged groups," Siew said.
Stating that Taiwan should improve its investment environment instead of focusing only on productivity, Siew said that "Taiwan should make itself a base of operations, stabilize cross-strait issues and play its role to the fullest as the world's 15th largest trading partner."
Reports were also given by economic academics Sun Chen (孫震), Kao Koong-lian (高孔廉) and Chu Yun-peng (朱雲鵬) on issues concerning Taiwan's economic outlook, regional economic integration and future prospects. The floor was then opened to all participants offering suggestions on Taiwan's economic development.
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