Dear Editor,
Some months ago you ran a feature on digital content, and recently you also reported the development of nanotechnology in Taiwan. From these articles we can see how sensitive the government is to the development of new technologies, and how-whether by their own initiative or with government guidance-many large, medium and small enterprises are getting involved in R&D or production related to these emerging technologies.
Looking back over the past decade and more, we can trace the development of Taiwan's high-tech industries from the pioneering years and the efforts of the "godfather of high-tech," Li Kwoh-ting, in drumming up funds and recruiting talented people, to the emergence of new-style entrepreneurs like Stan Shih, Morris Chang and Barry Lam, and to the present day when Taiwan is placed firmly among the top three producers in the global IT industry.
However, the new industries of those days are now old and visibly flagging, and no how much we pare costs to the bone and redouble our efforts, they seem doomed to ever-diminishing profit margins. The only way forward if we are to have a chance of achieving new industrial prosperity and economic vitality is to look to new technologies and industries. But this demands great boldness of vision, massive investments, and a large supply of people with both talent and drive. The government and private industry are showing themselves willing to work toward this goal, but do they have sufficient determination, ability and resources to create another economic miracle for Taiwan? To be honest, I am somewhat worried on this score.
For example, the government's budget to support the development of the digital content creation has been cut again and again, and private companies do not have the strength to develop this market. As a result, many highly creative people have gone to seek pastures new in mainland China. This bodes very ill for the future of digital content industry in Taiwan. Although we certainly must develop the emerging technologies, it would appear that for them to become pillars of the national economy will require greater efforts from both government and industry in terms of detailed planning and implementation. Of course, we also need the media to closely observe and follow these developments.
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