Writing an article in The Economist’s annual special edition ‘The World in 2017’, President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to ‘turn Taiwan into a tiger again’.
In her article, President Tsai lays out the government’s plan to rejuvenate and reform Taiwan by renewing the country’s role as a pioneer and preserving its basic social safety net, while revitalising the economy with a new development model.
Pledging job creation, a fairer welfare system, pension reform and affordable social housing, President Tsai affirms that Taiwan’s government is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive economic model ‘based on innovation, job creation and the idea that growth should benefit everyone, not just the few’.
Particular emphasis is placed on the government’s aim to open new markets for Taiwan’s products and services. President Tsai links this objective to the ‘New Southbound Policy’, which involves heightened engagement with ASEAN, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand in fields ranging from trade and investment to education, culture and tourism.
The President also affirms that her Cross-Strait policy remains centred on establishing ‘consistent, predictable, and sustainable relations under the existing constitutional framework’, stating that Taiwan will ‘seek dialogue with all interested parties, including China’, with a view to achieving peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
In closing, the President declares that Taiwan will go forward into 2017 with confidence, acknowledging that the administration will be judged on its ability to reform and renew a country while addressing the interests of the entire social stratum.