Taipei, April 19 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Tuesday that Taiwan should not denigrate itself as just a "window" or "springboard" to the vast Chinese market.
With its abundant manpower, manufacturing technology and rich foreign exchange reserves, Taiwan has great potential to become an Asia-Pacific economic and trade hub and stronghold, Chen said.
Therefore, he said, crafting a Taiwan-centered industrial development blueprint has been the government's top guiding principle in formulating economic policy.
Chen made the remarks while inspecting the Far Glory Air Cargo Park near Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taoyuan County, some 40 km south of Taipei.
In the face of ever-growing global competition, Chen said, vitality and innovation are critical to Taiwan's competitiveness. While some people claim that Taiwan should accelerate integration with the Chinese market and serve as a "window" or "springboard" for other countries to make inroads into the Chinese market, Chen said he disagrees strongly with such views. "We should not look down upon ourselves as just someone else's 'stepping-stone' or 'springboard.' We should not draw up our future national development policy based on such a near-sighted view. Taiwan is absolutely not an isolated island or part of China's remote hinterland. With our quality work force, technological know how and bountiful foreign exchange reserves, we can be an Asia-Pacific business hub and economic powerhouse," Chen said, adding that his administration has worked out Taiwan-centered development strategies.
Chen also urged relevant government agencies to make concerted efforts to ensure that the Far Glory Air Cargo Park project can be completed in five years.