Taitung, Taiwan, Dec. 10 (CNA) Shui-bian said Tuesday his administration will fully respect mainstream public opinion in developing , located some 42 kilometers off the southeastern coast of Taiwan.
Chen made the remarks while making an inspection tour of the scenic island, which is home to the Tao aboriginal tribe.
The president assured the indigenous residents that the government will honor a promise it made to remove low-grade radioactive waste from a nuclear waste dump operated there by the state-owned Taiwan Power Co.
Noting that Orchid Island boasts beautiful scenery, ecological resources and a rich aboriginal cultural legacy, Chen said the government will respect local residents' opinion when developing the island's rich resources.
Meanwhile, government sources said Orchid Island, known in Chinese as Lanyu, is likely to become Taiwan's first aboriginal autonomous region once a Cabinet-drafted aborigine self-governance act clears the legislature.