My Concepts and Methods of Government

It has already been more than a month since I assumed the post of premier. As I feel myself inadequate to this great task, I must rely on the cooperation and support of all the ministers.

　Therefore, today I have specially asked the cabinet level government officials to come to discuss my views on the theory and practice of administration. I hope we can take this opportunity to build a consensus to enable the complex work of national administration to move forward efficiently and to satisfy the expectations of the people.

　First, we must have "team spirit." The Executive Yuan oversees all the administration of the country. Although there is a division of labor, in the eyes of the people the government is an integrated unit. Therefore we must maintain a spirit of "all for one and one for all."

　In particular, after the lifting of martial law, the scope of speech is broader. It is unavoidable the government will be criticized by the people. We should consider it a challenge. If we do not maintain team spirit, there will be no way to win the respect of the people, then the government will be unable to win their support in handling public affairs.

　Second, we must keep on the pulse of the democratic era. That is, we must watch carefully the trends of public opinion and solve problems on behalf of the people. All the personnel of the Executive Yuan must maintain close communication with three groups and try to win their support: The first is the parliament, including the Legislative Yuan, the Control Yuan, and the National Assembly. They all represent public opinion. The second is the media, including newspapers, magazines, and the mass broadcast media. They are the bridge between government and people. The third is the scholarly community. They express the public interest. Every agency should have a comprehensive plan vis-a-vis these three groups and take concrete measures to win their support.

　For example, with the parliament, every ministry must stay in constant contact with the corresponding legislative committee. The media is the voice of the people; it's very function is to criticize the government and reflect public opinion. And government administration must go through the media to allow the people to understand its work and make for even-handed critiques. As for scholars and specialists, they have outstanding knowledge and perspective, and we must respect and absorb their views to improve the contents and quality of work. If these things are done well, then public opinion will be grasped, which will help in promoting administration.

　Third, we should make sound the conduct of administration, and encourage the morale of public servants. This includes four points: First it must be an open government, and accept opinions and criticism broadly from within and outside the government. Also, it must be clean government, serving in turn as the basic requirement for clean politics. Every public servant must exercise self-discipline in this regard. Further it must be a government of action, reforming and innovating, staying ahead of the times, and actively developing the road for the country's future. Finally it must be an efficient government. There must not be waste of money or manpower. In particular, once policy is decided, it must be carried out thoroughly.

　As for the morale of public servants, this requires raising their salaries and benefits, and stabilizing and improving their lives. We must strengthen their training and abilities, and sustain their professional dignity and honor, and stimulate a feeling of accomplishment in bearing their heavy responsibilities. Stimulating their sincerity of service is the most important. Because if there are no decent public servants, how can we even dream of administrative action and efficiency?

　Fourth, the government must promote the ten important points for administration. When I made the report on the goals of the administration to the Legislative Yuan, I cited ten points which I especially wanted to emphasize and work at, including: (1) Raising the quality of life in society; (2) Improving social welfare; (3) Maintaining social security and safety; (4) Strengthening economic construction and foreign trade; (5) Improving the flow of transportation and communications; (6) Improving en vironmental protection; (7) Protecting the interests of labor; (8) Improving farm and fishery production; (9) Developing diplomacy and overseas Chinese affairs; and (10) Strengthening national defense.

　These are all intimately linked to the daily lives of the people and the existence of the nation. With the help of all the ministries and agencies, there will be concrete achievements in these ten areas, thereby not only satisfying the people's needs for an ideal life, but also building their confidence in the government.

　Fifth, I set a time schedule upon becoming premier. In June, I invited the relevant ministers and directors to discuss the ten points and deepen my understanding of where the problems lie. In July I will visit each of the ministries and commissions to understand the main foci of their work, and the demands and expectations society has of each agency. Before the end of August I will prioritize the work of the administration. And starting in September I will begin to gradually raise concrete proposals for policy and to promote these with all my strength.

　I believe that based on service to the people and a spirit of complete commitment, we can live up to the expectations of the people of the whole country. Finally I would like to raise two points by way of conclusion and encouragement:

　The first is that in working for the country, we must maintain the country's basic policies. That is, we must recognize the country is still in the period of mobilization for the suppression of the rebellion, and maintain the stand of not negotiating or compromising with the Chinese Communists.

　The second is that we must have a spirit of willingness to accept our faults and change for the better. Recently there was a public opinion poll about me personally. The results showed that 50.2% of the people supported me, 1.1% had certain opinions about me, and 48.8% said they didn't know me. Although some believe this poll was too hurried, done less than one month after I took office, yet from my own and the government's position, it still deserves strong attention. Even if only 1.1% have certain opinions, I must still do an open-hearted self-examination. As for those who do not know about me or the government's administration, we must actively do more clarification and put forward the actions of the administration in order to let them know what, after all, the government is doing for them.