Political, cultural leaders bid GIO farewell

Source： Taiwan Today
By Kwangyin Liu
Photo: GIO Minister Philip Yang unveils a two-volume publication documenting the history of the office over its 65-year existence. (Photo: Song Siao-hai)

More than 200 political and cultural luminaries assembled May 15 at the ROC Executive Yuan in Taipei City to mark the upcoming disbandment of the Government Information Office.

The GIO, which has served as the nation’s official information outlet for 65 years, is scheduled to be dissolved May 20 as part of a government overhaul scheme, with its personnel and duties reallocated to the Executive Yuan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture.

“Over time, the GIO evolved from an institution charged with censorship and regulation to one that encouraged the free flow of information, while helping Taiwan communicate with the international community,” President Ma Ying-jeou said.

GIO Minister Philip Yang said, “Even though the GIO will soon be disbanded, its professionals will continue to serve in other agencies, pursuing the very same goals with equal enthusiasm and dedication.”

While unveiling a two-volume history of the GIO and its major achievements, the minister underscored the office’s function of providing timely responses to key events, such as when the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with the ROC and the panic over plasticizers in food products last year.

Premier Sean C. Chen, former GIO ministers including Frederick Chien, Ding Mao-shih, Chang King-yuh, Shao Yu-ming, Chao Yi, Su Tzen-ping, Huang Hwei-chen, Lin Chia-lung, Su Jun-pin and Johnny Chi-chen Chiang, as well as prominent political and cultural figures related to the agency’s operations also participated in the event.

Established in 1947, the GIO was charged with overseeing domestic broadcasting, publication, motion pictures and international liaison affairs, operating 54 overseas offices across four continents. Its staff numbered over 850.