Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) yesterday said Friday’s deadly stabbing attacks in downtown Taipei indicate that anxiety continues to exist in society, and that the social safety net needs to be repaired and improved.
Hsiao made the comments while meeting recipients of the 22nd Golden Rudder Awards and the Bright Youth Awards at the Presidential Office in Taipei.
The Golden Rudder Awards honor those who have made significant contributions to youth counseling, crime prevention and offender rehabilitation, while the Bright Youth Awards recognize young people who once lost their way but have since shown remorse, transformed themselves and given back to society.
Photo courtesy of the Presidential Office
While technology creates more opportunities for the next generation, it also presents many challenges, including a loss of warmth in human interactions and insufficient values-based guidance, Hsiao said.
As a result, some young people might momentarily lose their way amid social change, she said, praising the award recipients for helping young people who have made mistakes find a place in society through their professionalism, compassion and patience.
These efforts are “a vital force underpinning both the probation system and social security,” she said.
Friday's attacks near two Taipei MRT railway stations once again highlighted “lingering social anxiety in Taiwan and the need to repair and strengthen the social safety net,” Hsiao said.
She did not elaborate on what the social safety net entails, but said that in the aftermath of such incidents, “continued engagement by award recipients is essential,” including working with the government, the education system and civil society to help prevent similar tragedies.
On Friday, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文) threw smoke bombs and stabbed bystanders inside Taipei Main Station and outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store near Zhongshan MRT Station. Four people died, including Chang, who fell to his death from the six-story department store's roof while being pursued by police.
Taipei Police Department Commissioner Li Hsi-ho (李西河) yesterday expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims in the Taipei attacks.
A task force has been looking for clues and evidence concerning Chang's crimes under the direction of the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, Li told a news conference.
The task force found that from April last year to this year, Chang purchased the tools he used to commit his attacks, including gas masks, smoke bombs, gasoline cans, gas canisters and methanol, and had drawn up a plan, he said.
Chang's preparations spanned one and a half years, "clearly indicating premeditation," Li said.
The task force found that on the afternoon of the incident, Chang carried out several acts of arson and random attacks, and during the process, repeatedly changed modes of transportation and disguises to evade and delay the police, he said.
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