Taipei Times: What is the OCAC's definition of an “overseas compatriot” and how many are there in the world?
Wu Ying-yi: It is difficult to put an exact figure on the number of overseas compatriots. Reports have put the figure between 38 million and 40 million. To me, an overseas compatriot is anyone who recognizes and supports the Republic of China (ROC) flag and is determined to help the ROC develop and grow into a better country.
Domestic politics is quite divisive with the pan-green versus the pan-blue camps, but the conflict is not as pronounced overseas because almost everyone is eager to see this country develop to its fullest potential. There are many overseas compatriots who have contributed much to Taiwan in their own way, regardless of their political affiliation.
TT: Earlier this year, the Executive Yuan proposed a merger between the OCAC and the MOFA. The plan was later abandoned. Why?
Wu: In order to boost the country's competitiveness by promoting “compact, flexible and efficient” [organizations], the government drew up a plan to combine the OCAC with MOFA so it could appropriate more funds to serve our overseas compatriots.
The OCAC's annual budget is NT$13 billion [US$400 million], which is only a small fraction of MOFA's budget, but we are serving more than 38 million people worldwide. Not only are we tight on budget, we also lack the necessary manpower. MOFA has more than 120 branch offices worldwide but the OCAC has less than 30 offices. Often, overseas MOFA officials also have to serve the needs of our overseas compatriots, so it made sense to combine the two agencies.
However, we found that many overseas compatriots strongly opposed the idea because they thought the merger would belittle the OCAC's status and that the government would put them on the back burner. That was certainly not the case. The aim of the merger was to raise the OCAC's ability to provide better services to more people.
After hearing the concerns of our compatriots, we decided to hold off the idea and focus on how to improve the OCAC as it is.
TT: What are the OCAC's plans to attract more overseas compatriot talent to work or invest in Taiwan?
Wu: The OCAC has been promoting investment opportunities in Taiwan, such as President Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) “i-Taiwan 12 projects,” which offers numerous business opportunities. The OCAC has organized fact-finding trips for overseas businesspeople to learn more about opportunities in Taiwan, such as in the tourism and real estate industries. We also seek to offer more incentives for overseas entrepreneurs to invest or set up shops in Taiwan.
Scholarships are available for overseas students to study in Taiwan. Recently, we also set up a loan program for overseas graduates to give them a head start once they return to the country.
TT: Chinese language and culture education has always been a core mission of the OCAC. How does the OCAC plan to compete against the rapid global expansion of China's Confucius Institute?
Wu: Yes, China's Confucius Institute has undeniably become a major competitor. As of last month, China has Confucius Institutes in more than 78 countries with 314 centers and more under way. Many OCAC Chinese schools face difficulties given a lack of funding and qualified teachers.
To combat the problem, the OCAC has gone digital by setting up a cyber platform — www.huayuworld.org — which contains teaching materials for teachers. Educators can also share ideas with one and another.
We have also transformed many traditional Chinese schools into digital learning centers where students are taught using state-of-the-art technology. As of last month, we have set up 24 demonstration points and 10 digital learning centers worldwide.
Working jointly with the Ministry of Education, the OCAC also aims to improve teaching standards by inviting teachers to return to Taiwan for short-term training programs or offering training courses in those countries.
TT: The law stipulates that all ROC citizens must cast their vote in person. Has the OCAC had any discussions with the Central Election Commission (CEC) on the possibility of allowing absentee voting?
Wu: The ROC Constitution states that all voters must cast their ballot in person. The country does not have an absentee ballot system. For overseas compatriots to participate in the election without being physically present in Taiwan, a constitutional amendment is needed, but that would be difficult to implement at this stage.
Right now, there are talks on allowing military personnel to cast their vote in military bases instead of requiring them to go back to their household registration offices. If that passes, it could pave the way for overseas compatriots to be able to mail in their ballots.
TT: The legal status of Chinese refugees and compatriots in northern Thailand and Myanmar has been a longstanding issue. Their ineligibility to become citizens of those countries has prevented them from finding suitable schools and jobs. China has recently been actively attracting these people to their side. What is the OCAC doing in that regard?
Wu: Based on humanitarian concerns, the government has over the years passed several legislation to facilitate their entry into Taiwan for work or study. The National Immigration Agency (NIA) recently amended the Immigration Act (出入國及移民法) to allow Thai and Burmese compatriots who entered Taiwan between May 21, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2008, to stay in Taiwan legally.
For compatriots who are still in Thailand and Myanmar, the OCAC — in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Council of Agriculture — is teaching them skills to be self-reliant.
For example, we are training local farmers to plant fruit or tea. We are also studying ways to help them market their products. This way, instead of giving them fish, we are teaching them how to fish.
In addition to the Thai/Burmese compatriots, the OCAC also made a recent breakthrough for South Korean compatriots who maintain a household registration in Taiwan. For various reasons, many of them have not been able to gain South Korean citizenship.
In the past, these people were required to apply for an ROC visa to enter Taiwan although they have ROC passports. But with the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior and the NIA, these people now enjoy the same visa-waiver privilege as many foreign passport holders when coming to Taiwan.
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