Vice Premier and Consumer Protection Commission Minister Wu, Honorary Chairmen of the Consumer's Foundation, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Good morning to all of you!
I am very pleased to be invited here to the celebration of Consumer's Foundation's 25th anniversary and the commencement of the World Consumption Forum of Taipei 2005. First of all, I want to wish the Consumer's Foundation a happy birthday. Also, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you who have come from afar to share our concerns for consumers' rights.
While the Foundation is committed to the protection of our consumers in this country, it has also paid great attention to the welfare of consumers else where in the world. This is the reason that as the Foundation commemorates its 25 years involvement in consumer protection, it has also organized this international forum to contribute to a variety of issues that concern the international community--such as disease prevention of avian influenza, food safety, Internet security, green consumption, environmental protection, security of business transaction, and travel safety. On behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my highest respect and gratitude to the Foundation's outstanding contributions and service to the people over the past 25 years.
The Consumer's Foundation is Taiwan's pioneer public service organizations—one that has given the people a strong voice in the fight for social justice. Since its inception 25 years ago, the organization has chosen to uphold a neutral position that transcends partisanship and business interests and has acted solely on the consumers' behalf. It accepts complaints from consumers, offers commodity inspection services and promotes consumers education. It also publishes magazines, holds seminars and press conferences, and maintains close association with consumer's groups around the world. The Foundation has written new chapters in the history of Taiwan's consumer protection efforts, raised consumers' position, and expanded the scope of protection for the rights and interests of the consumers. It is a defender of consumers' rights and a great leader in our consumer protection efforts. The contributions of the Consumer's Foundation are truly admirable and should therefore command our highest respect and appreciation.
I have always paid great attention to issues concerning the people's welfare. From those days when I served as a Taipei City councilman, a lawmaker in the Legislative Yuan, and the Mayor of Taipei City, until now, as the President of Taiwan, I have never ceased to maintain relations with the Consumer's Foundation. Upon becoming Taipei City mayor, for instance, I asked the Foundation to send representatives to work with various committees in the municipal government involved in policies concerning food, clothing, shelter, transportation, recreation, medical care, insurance, and public safety. The government actively sought suggestions from the Foundations' representatives in various areas of policy administration. Friends from the Foundation like Professor Chu Ching-hua, Honorary Chairman of the Board, and Chairman Li Feng-Siang, as well as many others from the Foundation have all provided valuable input to our government's administration; and a score of their suggestions have also been incorporated into the government's policy planning.
To date, the Consumer's Foundation has continued to provide critiques as well as concrete, feasible policy proposals to private enterprises and the government. Their input has been used as references for the promotion of industrial growth and good governance. Therefore, besides being known for its professionalism, commitment to sound reasoning, and humanitarian spirit, the Consumer's Foundation acts in its capacity as a public interest, nongovernmental organization that exposes defective or harmful products in the market. It is also an institution that protects consumer rights and interests through advocacy and policy initiatives, thereby helping to make Taiwan's consumer protection mechanisms more comprehensive and more complete. The Foundation efforts have also assisted businesses to gain greater credibility and become more competitive both domestically and internationally, thereby creating a win-win situation for both consumers and producers.
Protection of consumer rights is a key index of democracy. With the democratization and liberalization of Taiwan's society over recent years, consumers have become more aware of their rights, and consumer consciousness has been on the rise as a result. In addition, a more mature democratic system in the Taiwan society has in turn offered consumers many more options in seeking protection of their rights. However, in the era of fast-evolving new economy, rapid growth and developments in electronic technology, telecommunication, tourism, transportation, and financial services have resulted in novel consumption habits that are now much more complex and diversified. Therefore, effective protection of consumer rights has become an important issue that the public and private sectors must tackle together in concerted efforts. The Consumer Protection Act, promulgated and implemented in January 1994, provided the legal basis for the protection of consumer rights. This development has also led to the establishment of the Executive Yuan's Consumer Protection Commission six months later. The Commission has since served as the primary governmental agency that governs consumer protection. From the legislation of the Consumer Protection Act eleven years ago, to the 10th year anniversary of the establishment of the Consumer Protection Commission last year, to today's celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Consumer's Foundation, it is both a great pleasure and an honor for me to witness the progress and achievements Taiwan has made in the area of consumer protection over the past decades. I would like to hereby make a pledge that the government—with the Consumer's Foundation continues to assume the role of an overseer and a partner—will continue to broaden consumer knowledge and education to protect consumers' rights. We will do our utmost to ensure that consumers' "right to know" is protected and that information on various products and services are made available to them. In addition, the government will make sure that channels for dealing with consumer grievances are open and available to all people. These concrete measures represent the government's commitment in bringing Taiwan's consumer protection to be in step with the international standards. We have also high expectations for the Consumers' Foundation to continue to serve as gatekeeper for consumer protection and to join forces with the government to establish a more favorable and more consumer-friendly environment.
In closing, I would like to once again congratulate the Consumer's Foundation on its 25th anniversary; and I wish the forum great success, each and everyone of you health and happiness. Thank you.