Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou said in his National Day speech Sunday that while Taiwan has achieved feats that were unprecedented in the global Chinese community, comprehensive reform focusing on social justice was still necessary and would continue.
"We cannot put off reform for the sake of winning elections. Reform will not be put aside for elections, " Ma told the country during the National Day celebration ceremony. "I believe that only reform can secure our future, and that by securing our future we can win people's hearts."
Ma also announced that a human rights consultative committee, headed by Vice President Vincent Siew, will soon be established under the Presidential Office to monitor human rights development and publish a human rights report annually.
The president said that Taiwan's democratization and economic development were achievements never seen before in the global Chinese community but that plenty remained to be done.
With fewer than two years left in his four-year term, Ma said his main policy focus in the future will be to promote social, environmental and judicial justice while also tending to economic growth in response to incidents that have indicated the desperate need for reform.
"Strategies for Taiwan's economic development will not focus exclusively on growth, but must place equal importance on growth and fairness, " Ma said. "Though we must pursue economic growth, it is even more important to protect our environment and health."
He promised to fight poverty, reduce unemployment, adopt fair tax regulations and continue judicial and educational reforms as Taiwan has "begun a robust economic recovery" from the global financial crisis.
In cross-Taiwan Strait relations, President urged China to remove missiles directed at Taiwan as soon as possible and reiterated his "mutual non-denial" approach.
Both sides belong to one Chinese community and engage in exchanges under the basis of the "1992 consensus, " he said, also lauding 14 agreements he has signed with China since his inauguration in May 2008, including an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA).
In foreign relations, Ma said Taiwan has been able to rebuild its ties and mutual trust with the United States as arm sales and negotiations under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) have resumed.
It has also established a special partner relationship with Japan, and was granted visa-free treatment by countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland and Fiji, among others, he said.
Taiwan intends to be an active participant in the international community as "a peacemaker, a provider of humanitarian aid, a promoter of cultural ties, and as a creator of new technologies and business opportunities," Ma said. (By Chris Wang) enditem/ls