The 1986 National Development Seminar: A Blueprint for Progress

More recently, in July 215 scholars met with representatives of the government ministries and departments for the "1986 National Development Seminar." At the Seminar the scholars gave their recommendations regarding this year's main topic, "Striding Towards the Developed Countries." In the process of this development, which ideas most deserve promotion? Which systems demand immediate implementation? And which programs most need to be completed? Looking at what happened during the 12 days of the Seminar should provide some answers to these questions.

The participants were organized into panels to discuss the following eight topics: tactics for long-term economic development, the development of education and human resources, social and cultural development, the development of science and technology, the development of capital and currency markets, regional development, planning for a comprehensive transportation system, and information and communications.

The panel on economic development made the most reports during the Seminar. This is natural, considering long-term economic development was a matter of interest to everyone involved in the Seminar. Basically, the panel approved of the government's policies for economic liberalization and internationalization, but felt that the execution of these policies could be sped up somewhat.

The chairman of this year's Seminar, Professor Fei Ching-han, pointed out that, for example, automobiles produced in the ROC are on average US$1,500 more expensive than automobiles produced abroad; however, the corporations are not reinvesting their profits in further development. And as Yu Chung-hsien, deputy director of the Chung Hua Institution for Economic Research pointed out, some of the government's protectionist policies are detrimental to economic independence. As a result, the panel recommended the reduction of the tariff on automobiles to ten percent within six years, and that on appliances to ten percent within four years.

Another major topic covered by the panel was the development of the ROC's most important future industry--the service industry. Some scholars recommended that the government choose certain service industries, such as banking, and place special emphasis on their development. Others felt, however, that the development of service industries should depend only on natural market forces. After a day's worth of heated discussion on this topic, the scholars did arrive at one definite conclusion: 100 economists will have 101 opinions on any topic. What they did agree on was the following: the government should continue its development of tourism; development of the finance industry is crucial to overall economic development; and a portion of the island's banks should be turned over to private management.

Speaking of banks may make many readers think of the US$30 billion in foreign exchange currently in the government's coffers. It was recommended at the Seminar that the central bank loosen its hold on the foreign exchange market, as this will also aid economic development.

The development of human resources is also an important part of development, and requires equally conscientious planning. Since 1969, 70,000 students have gone abroad to study, and 60,000 have remained overseas. This represents, need less to say, a large pool of talent. As for fostering talent within the country, ac cording to National Taiwan Normal University's Huang Cheng-chieh, it is absolutely necessary to improve the quality of education on the island. The first step in this process, he says, is improving primary school education. The education panel recommended another step: increasing compulsory education to 12 years.

The question of permitting high school graduates to study abroad was also discussed. Currently all male high school graduates have to undergo two to three years of military service before they can study abroad. It was recommended that the regulation be changed to allow these students to go abroad without having to undergo military service. The Ministry of Education is looking into the recommendation, and after bringing it under joint consideration with the Ministry of Defense and the National Youth Commission, will have another hearing with the experts, analyze the results, and then make a decision.

Professor Huang feels that, considering their age, high school graduates who are permitted to study abroad will have greater-than-average difficulties with language and assimilation into foreign cultures. Therefore, he recommended that the Ministry of Education establish an organization to provide students and their families consultation and advisory services.

The local development panel was a new addition to the Seminars. Its main topics this year were the utilization and preservation of natural resources, and the active development of various localities. The problem of locating industrial areas received the most attention. With rising public consciousness about environmental protection, the choice of location for industrial projects and the planning for industrial development has become increasingly complex. Formerly, there was vigorous competition among local districts for industrial development projects; nowadays, however, many cities and towns will try to avoid consideration for such projects, or will even oppose them, as the citizens of Lukang did duPont's attempt to build a plant near their town. It was emphasized that the suitability of a project for a particular area must be worked out carefully beforehand. And after completion vigilance must be maintained to ensure that pollution is kept under control.

The information and communications panel recommended that the government increase its promotion of information technology, in order that the goal of "a computer in every house" is reached by the year 2000. As for the telecommunications aspect of this development, the government has as its goal the establishment of a comprehensive digital service network.

The transportation panel emphasized the importance of long-term planning. "Our failure up to now to lay importance on planning is a major obstacle to our development," said Wang Ching-tuan of National Chiao Tung University. Sufficient planning, he continued, is a characteristic of developed countries. The Ministry of Communications' Institute of Transportation is a national organization; according to the scholars, what is needed are local organizations to handle planning, construction, and management affairs. There is one special transportation problem on Taiwan which cannot be solved by studying foreign precedents--the motorcycle problem. The scholars' recommendation was simply that the government should formulate a policy to control the number of motorcycles on the island, especially in areas with developed public transportation.

As for social and cultural development, an important recommendation made at the Seminar was that a Ministry of Culture be established in place of the present Council for Cultural Development and Planning. Prior to the establishment of the Ministry, it is hoped that the Council will implement programs for social education, the protection and development of cultural resources, and so on.

A few disputes arose during the meeting over which department or minis try should be in charge of certain projects. In order to increase the efficiency of the discussions, the scholars helped clarify the distribution of responsibility among the various ministries and departments.

After 12 days of discussions, the Seminar was concluded. However, for the government this was just the beginning. As Premier Yu Kuo-hwa said during the closing ceremonies, "After we sit down and discuss, we have to stand up and get to work." This was not just sloganeering. On the second-to-last day of the Seminar, Premier Yu announced that within two months the government would begin relaxing controls on foreign exchange, foreign investment in the ROC, and investment by ROC citizens abroad, and begin removing the controls and tariffs on imported goods. So, after the scholars have spoken, and the government started working, it's time to wait and see.

[Picture Caption]

Scholars meeting to put forward recommendations for national development.

Development of the service industry is an important step in the ROC's striding towards the developed countries. (photo courtesy of The Ritz Taipei Hotel.)

Public consciousness about environmental pollution is on the rise--people are getting tired of factory pollution.

A street full of motorcycles. Unless they're controlled, the traffic is going to get even worse. (photo by Chung Yung-ho.)

Premier Yu Kuo-hwa and wife greeting foreign scholars and their families. (photo courtesy of the Government Information Office)

It is necessary to make the essence of Chinese culture clear to foreign visitors.

Public consciousness about environmental pollution is on the rise--people are getting tired of factory pollution.

A street full of motorcycles. Unless they're controlled, the traffic is going to get even worse. （photo by Chung Yung-ho.）

Development of the service industry is an important step in the ROC's striding towards the developed countries. （photo courtesy of The Ritz Taipei Hotel.）

Premier Yu Kuo-hwa and wife greeting foreign scholars and their families. （photo courtesy of the Government Information Office）

It is necessary to make the essence of Chinese culture clear to foreign visitors.