In a pre-recorded video address, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) made a New Year resolution yesterday to do more to improve the economy, saying his administration would continue to work to improve the public’s quality of life.
Dressed in a traditional Chinese outfit, Ma wished the public a happy Year of the Tiger in Mandarin, Hoklo (also known as Taiwanese), Hakka and Aboriginal languages.
He said Taiwan had experienced many challenges in the past year, but fortunately people supported one another through many difficulties.
“The economy has shown signs of recovery. Ying-jeou and the administration will continue our efforts and I believe your life will become better,” he said.
Ma said he has three wishes for the Year of Tiger: First, that the economy would improve and everybody would have a job.
Second, that the environment would improve and environmental protection measures be put into practice so that the life and security of Taiwanese would be better protected.
Third, that there would be world peace and kind hearts, a harmonious society and people would support each other.
Ma said when he appointed Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) as premier last September, he told Wu that the new government would have three major tasks: post-Typhoon Morakot reconstruction projects, controlling the outbreak of the A(H1N1) flu strain and reviving the economy.
“The three tasks have produced concrete results,” Ma said, noting that about 500 families affected by Morakot moved into a prefabricated housing complex in Kaohsiung last week. Altogether about 800 families have been resettled and would be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year in their new homes, he said.
The A(H1N1) flu was well under control and there had been no serious outbreak, he said. As for the economy, Ma said it was making a speedy recovery and the unemployment rate has also dropped.
“If you remember at this time last year, we were issuing consumer vouchers, but this year the economy is picking up and vibrant,” he said.
The government has been working to boost the economy by increasing employment opportunities and upgrading living standards.
Taiwan is “a beautiful island that is dynamic, intelligent and compassionate,” Ma said, urging the public to work hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart in the Year of the Tiger.
Taiwan’s Lee Chia-hao (李佳豪) on Sunday won a silver medal at the All England Open Badminton Championships in Birmingham, England, a career best. Lee, 25, took silver in the final of the men’s singles against world No. 1 Shi Yuqi (石宇奇) of China, who won 21-17, 21-19 in a tough match that lasted 51 minutes. After the match, the Taiwanese player, who ranks No. 22 in the world, said it felt unreal to be challenging an opponent of Shi’s caliber. “I had to be in peak form, and constantly switch my rhythm and tactics in order to score points effectively,” he said. Lee got
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