President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is expected to put forward his vision of creating what he will call a “golden decade” on the eve of the second anniversary of his inauguration today.
A speech outline obtained by the Taipei Times yesterday indicates that Ma will present a “six-country” statement in an address at the Presidential Office this morning as he outlines the steps needed to achieve a “golden decade.”
Ma will begin his speech, entitled “Stride Forward, Create a Golden Decade,” with the assertion that “changes are happening” and then spell out the changes that have occurred since he took office in cross-strait relations, foreign policy, government efficiency, constitutional politics and clean politics.
Presidential Office Spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) said Ma would emphasize in his speech that he has been insistent on “decent and upright” leadership and clean government.
The president would vow to push for urgently needed reform initiatives, Lo said.
Ma will also review the administration’s efforts to respond to the global financial crisis and Typhoon Morakot in August last year, Lo said, adding that such challenges have made Taiwan stronger and it was the perfect timing to commence the “golden decade.”
According to the outline, the “six-country” statement Ma would propose is: First, to build a strong country based on innovation so Taiwan’s competitiveness will be upgraded.
Second is to revive the country with culture, in the hope of using culture to promote Taiwan’s advantage.
Third is to save the country with an environmental protection initiative and build a low-carbon homeland using green energy.
Fourth is to consolidate the country with constitutional politics and strengthen government management with honesty.
Fifth is to make the country more secure in terms of social welfare by establishing a social safety net.
Finally, Ma will recommend protecting the country with peace, namely using peace to construct a new order in the Taiwan Strait.
At the end of his speech, he will urge Taiwanese to work together toward the six goals to build the next “golden decade.”
“Let the Republic of China march firmly forward toward peace and prosperity and bring about a new epoch of splendor and glory,” Ma will say, according to yesterday’s outline.
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