President Chen Shui-bian (
"History teaches us that if we don't have any feeling for or identify with the land we live in, all the policies and measures mapped out by the government are bound to alienate the people, and we will pay a steep price for that," Chen said.
Taiwan's economic miracle may be attributed to the outstanding leadership of a few government officials, Chen said, but behind that success story there are also many civil servants who silently made their contributions.
Chen made the remarks during a memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of former vice premier and presidential advisor Hsu Ching-chong (
He was the first Taiwanese to receive a doctoral degree in agriculture from Taihoku (Taipei) Imperial University, the predecessor of National Taiwan University. He was also the first Taiwanese vice premier and first agriculture director of the now-downsized Taiwan Provincial Government.
Chen quoted Hsu as saying that he felt regret that his suggestions on flood control measures were neglected by the KMT administration.
"The KMT administration had insufficient knowledge about Taiwan's geology. Take the flood-control project in Sanchong (
Soong, who spoke after Chen left the scene, dismissed Chen's remarks and said that the KMT should not be blamed for the flooding problems in Sangchung and Sijhih.
"The direction of the government policy was correct," he said. "Why do we blame a particular party and individual for making a mistake? This ceremony is an occasion for commemoration, not for laying blame."
Soong, who served as the head of the Government Information Office and secretary to then premier Chiang Ching-kuo (
Although Hsu was not a media darling, Soong said that he made a great contribution to the country.
Tropical depression TD22, which was over waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, is likely to develop into a tropical storm by this morning and pose a significant threat to Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm named Krathon as it moves south and then veers north toward waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast, CWA forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. Given the favorable environmental conditions for its development, TD22’s intensity would reach at least typhoon levels, Hsu said. As of 2pm yesterday, the tropical depression was about 610km east-southeast of Taiwan proper’s
RESTRICTIONS: All food items imported from the five prefectures must be accompanied by radiation and origin certificates, and undergo batch-by-batch inspection The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday announced that almost all produce from five Japanese prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster would now be allowed into Taiwan. The five are Fukushima, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki and Tochigi. The only items that would still be blocked from being imported into the nation are those that are still banned from being circulated in Japan, the FDA added. With the removal of the ban, items including mushrooms, the meat of wild birds and other wild animals, and koshiabura” (foraged vegetables) would now be permitted to enter Taiwan, along with the other
Four factors led to the declaration of a typhoon day and the cancelation of classes yesterday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. Work and classes were canceled across Taiwan yesterday as Typhoon Krathon was forecast to make landfall in the southern part of the country. However, northern Taiwan had only heavy winds during the day and rain in the evening, leading some to criticize the cancelation. Speaking at a Taipei City Council meeting yesterday, Chiang said the decision was made due to the possibility of landslides and other problems in mountainous areas, the need to avoid a potentially dangerous commute for those
A new tropical storm is expected to form by early tomorrow morning, potentially developing into a medium-strength typhoon that is to affect Taiwan through Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration said today. There are currently two tropical systems circulating to the east of Taiwan, agency forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. The one currently north of Guam developed into Tropical Storm Gebi this afternoon and is expected to veer toward Japan without affecting Taiwan, Hsu said. Another tropical depression is 600km from the east coast and is likely to develp into the named storm Krathon either late tonight or early tomorrow, he said. This
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