What is the value of a country's international image? Unless we understand and recognize its importance, we will never find a way to improve it root and branch.
As far as intangible values go, I think that when a country has a good image its people have an unshakable self-confidence from which their society can draw vitality and strength. In terms of tangible values, a good image brings a country recognition and a friendly reception in the world community; not only do political, diplomatic and trade contacts become easier, but our products can more readily enhance their brand image and increase their added value.
Even more importantly, all these tangible and intangible effects will ultimately merge into our culture and will give Taiwan greater cultural prestige, so that our culture will gain international recognition and become one that other people are eager to learn about.
But there is too great a gulf between our expectations and our actual investment in Taiwan's image. Chinese people love to gain people's respect, but they don't realize what kind of preparations and actions need to go along wi that.
Every businessman appreciates the importance of a business image, but if your product is below standard and delivery dates are pressing, and you just muddle through without making the necessary capital investment to improve your manufacturing techniques and business operations, you will end up by ruining your reputation and also detract from your country's international image.
A nation's lifespan far exceeds that of any individual, and any moment will do for starting to remold its image. We should get down to brass tacks right away!
First we should set a persuasive good--what we expect our national image to be, then set out concrete proposals for achieving that goal, to serve as objectives for our common effort.
In addition to defining the goal, the government should also act as an impartial referee, encouraging and protecting those who work hard and uncomplainingly, while restricting the options for those who veer from the nation's goal. In the world of business, rules for fair competition should be drawn up and thoroughly enforced so that untrustworthy operators who break the rules have less and less room for manoeuvre, while businesses which respect the law and work hard to improve their organization, enhance their product image and forge an international reputation will be appropriately rewarded.
For countries as for any individual citizen treading the correct path is long, slow and tiresome, but unless we take that path there will be no hope for us.