President Lee Teng-hui this morning met with Dr. Douglas Osheroff, the 1996 Nobel laureate in physics, and Dr. Robert Williams, an expert in space telescopes, who are invited to take part in “Wu Chien-shiung Science Camp” held by Wu Chien-shiung Education Foundation Inc. During the meeting, President Lee extended his warm welcome to the guests and exchanged views with them on technological development in the Republic of China.
President Lee said that, because Taiwan lacks natural resources, it is very important for the ROC to develop high technology. “To transform Taiwan into a science and technology island is the goal of both the government and people of this country,” added the President.
President Lee also told his guests that in this country, the expenditures for the development of education, science and culture are no less than 15% of the total annual budget, and that the government has in recent years been reforming the education system to lay a more solid foundation for scientific research and development.
President Lee further pointed out that democratization and the development of information technology will result in great changes in world nations.
However, according to the President, no matter how the world changes, the ROC government will put more emphasis on taking care of the elderly, women, children and the disabled, in the spirit of fairness and justice.
Both Dr. Osheroff and Dr. Robert Williams said that they were deeply impressed by the great talent in science showed by young students in this country.
Accompanied by Dr. Shen Chun-shan, chairman of Wu Chien-shiung Education Foundation Inc., two scholars and their wives came to the Office of the President for the meeting. Also present was Dr. Su Chi, deputy secretary-general to the President.