President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said the government will work to consolidate the nation’s strength in culture by setting up eight Taiwanese culture centers around the world, as well as a “Taiwan academy” to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in economy, culture and other fields.
“Taiwan is under the influence of traditional Chinese culture and innovations cultivated in a democratic environment, and we will definitely play a more important role in the promotion of Chinese culture,” he told a press conference at the Presidential Office held to unveil his “golden 10-year” prospects of national development.
Ma said the status upgrade of the Council of Cultural Affairs to the Department of Culture next year would further facilitate the development of the cultural and creative industries, as the government will invest over NT$10 billion (US$320 million) in these industries.
Ma also outlined the government’s plan to expand and upgrade the National Palace Museum as part of his policy vision to establish Taiwan as a pioneer in Chinese culture and improve the quality of education, while creating a sustainable environment in the nation.
The “Grand National Palace Museum” project includes the launch of the museum’s southern branch in Chiayi in 2015, the expansion of the museum to display its giant collection of over 680,000 items and the construction of a cultural park across the museum to promote the nation’s achievements in the fields of arts and culture, he said.
Ma reiterated the government’s plan to extend compulsory education from nine years to 12 years in 2014. Under the 12-year compulsory education system, within the next 10 years about 85 percent of students are set to enter high schools without taking admission exams.
“We expect students to benefit from the diverse school admission channels and our education reform will definitely improve the quality of education,” he said.
On the government’s efforts to develop sustainable resources and reduce energy consumption, Ma said the government planned to establish the first offshore wind farm in 2015 and a seaside wind farm in 2020 to develop wind power generation.
He also promised to push for the installation of rooftop solar panels around the nation to encourage solar power generation.
He declined to confirm whether the government would raise the nation’s water and utility fees as a measure to reduce energy wastage.
“Adjusting water and utility fees is an issue we must tackle, but it is a complicated issue that requires more assessments,” he said.
As to the issue of nuclear power, about which Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has vowed to phase out operations of the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant if elected, Ma said he would address the issue in a separate press conference by the end this month, while stressing the government’s determination to establish a nuclear-free country.
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