Vice President Annette Lu this morning attended the "Global High-tech Industry Forum and the 25th Anniversary of Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park" and was invited to give a speech.
Vice President Lu said that the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park was founded 25 years ago when Taiwan's technological development was about to take off, and that the science park has served as the powerhouse of Taiwan's technology. Although having missed the opportunity to witness the birth of the park because of a jail sentence for the "Formosa Incident," the Vice President said that she, as convener of the Presidential Office Science and Technology Consulting Committee, can finally see for her eyes the park's phenomenal growth. Beginning with 50 businesses in the park with a turnover of NT$ 10.5 billion in 1985, the science park currently accommodates some 381 business firms and plants with a business volume of NT$1.6 trillion this year. Hsinchu now has one of the world's top six science parks which also include the Silicon Valley of the United States, Tsukuba of Japan, Taedok of South Korea, Adelaide of Australia, and Singapore. Technology in terms of Taiwan's IC industry can now compare with the Silicon Valley. The U.S. Business Week has its cover story of the May 16 issue focused on Taiwan. Entitled "Why Taiwan Matters," the article describes Taiwan as a world economic power behind the scene and a powerhouse of global high tech arena, with Hsinchu Science Park being the core of this powerhouse.
Vice President Lu noted that the Hsinchu Science Park has recorded the development path of Taiwan's technology and has helped upgraded Taiwan's economy, saying that the successful model of Hsinchu can be copied to Taichung, Tainan and elsewhere on the island. Taking the Taiwan-El Salvador Park as an example, the Vice President said that it would be Taiwan's pleasure to share with the rest of the world the Taiwan experiences in this regard.
Vice President Lu also visited the National Space Research Center located in the Hsinchu Science Park after the speech. She was briefed by Director Lance Wu of the research center and paid a visit to a satellite integration, testing lab and the FORMOSAT-3.
Vice President Lu confirmed efforts and contributions made by the National Space Research Center concerning Taiwan's various satellites, adding that the successful launch of the ROCSAT-2 on the inauguration anniversary of the president and vice president boosted the morale of all Taiwanese people. Satellite images of all Taiwanese diplomatic allies taken by the FORMOSAT have been presented to the allies in the hope of sharing with them Taiwan's fruitful result on space technology.