President Chen Visits the Devastated Area Hit by the 921 Earthquake in Nantou County
Taipei, Feb. 6 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian traveled to Nantou County Wednesday, where he urged businesses to adapt Intel's world-famous "Intel Inside" slogan and tout "Taiwan Inside" in the face of robust competition in the global market.
Chen made the trip to the central county to gain a better understanding of industrial development in the region that was devastated by the earthquake of Sept. 21, 1999, the worst temblor to hit Taiwan in a century. He visited a 30-year-old local factory that has expanded its operations following the killer quake.
Chen praised the company's efforts to retain its roots in Taiwan despite a mainland China investment rush among many Taiwan enterprises. In light of the huge tasks ahead in the knowledge-based era, Chen said Taiwan industries are being challenged by the need to transform following the country's Jan. 1 entry into the World Trade Organization.
The president encouraged Taiwan-based businesses to adopt the "Taiwan Inside" slogan wherever they go and make the island a base of "spiritual support" for Taiwan businessmen overseas. He also called for a "second Taiwan economic miracle" through all-out cooperation between the government and the private sector.
Stressing that the goal to build Taiwan into a "green silicon island" is high on the government's agenda, he urged Taiwan-based firms not to underestimate their own abilities and pointed out that the World Economic Forum recently rated Taiwan as the world's seventh-most competitive country, ahead of Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and mainland China, and an advance from last year's 10th spot.
Chen also visited a local center where he wished a happy Lunar New Year to elderly people and children and gave away more than 40 "red envelopes."