Taipei, Dec. 27 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu said Saturday that Taiwan's competitiveness has risen from 10th to fifth globally in the three-and-half years that Chen Shui-bian has been president.
At a meeting marking "Architects' Day, " Lu described Chen and herself as architects of the country who have made the country march in step with progress.
According to Lu, a recent World Economic Forum (WEF) report ranked Taiwan's overall competitiveness fifth worldwide, compared with the number 10 spot in 2000.
The WEF also ranked Taiwan for the second year in a row as the most competitive country in Asia.
Lu noted that architecture is not just the construction of materials, it needs the human touch and she hopes that future architecture uses a combination of the humanities and high technology, tradition and innovation, and localization and internationalization.
Meanwhile, Lu noted that at a time when countries are actively seeking to sign free trade agreements, Taiwan should accelerate its internationalization to prevent being marginalized. However, she said Taiwan people do not have to be pessimistic as they have created democratic and economic miracles in spite of having limited territory and resources, not to mention the diplomatic embargo imposed by Beijing.
Turning to mainland China, Lu urged Taiwan people not to forget the 496 missiles Beijing has targeting Taiwan. Lu reminded the public that the number of such missiles may rise to 650 in 2005.