Taipei, July 11 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday in Taitung, eastern Taiwan that the island's aboriginal culture is the country's most valuable asset.
Participating in three separate aboriginal tribal harvest festivals in Taitung County, the president said that mutual trust and mutual appreciation among the different ethnic groups are vital for harmonious and mutually beneficial ties among them.
Touting the long way his administration has come in promoting the welfare of the country's aborigine population, Chen said the Executive Yuan has already worked out a bill on aboriginal autonomy that recognizes aboriginal rights to their historical homelands and will significantly improve their status.
He said his administration has helped more than 9,000 aborigines to land jobs and will help further promote aboriginal culture through tourism.