The "Green Silicon Island"
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| An aerial view
of the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park, an important base
for Taiwan's information technology and semiconductor industries.
(Courtesy of the Synchroton Radiation Research Center) |
Since the mid-1980s, the ROC economy has been rapidly restructured,
with the relative decline of traditional agricultural and manufacturing
industries and the expansion of scientific, high technology, and service
industries. Taiwan has been ranked as one of the world's top four information
technology hardware producers since 1995.
In his inauguration speech on May 20, 2000, President Chen Shui-bian
proposed developing Taiwan into a "green silicon island" to maintain
Taiwan's economic competitiveness and a sustainable national development,
thereby ensuring a balance between environmental conservation and
economic development.
The Council for Economic Planning and Development of the Executive
Yuan initiated the "green silicon island" plan in February 2001. The
plan is based on three major concepts: a knowledge-based economy,
a sustainable environment, and a just society. The plan will be implemented
under seven principles: (1) increasing knowledge, (2) using resources
effectively, (3) prioritizing environmental protection, (4) upholding
justice, (5) promoting regional balance, (6) strengthening cooperation,
and (7) expanding the economy.
The "green silicon island" plan is being implemented through a variety
of construction projects, including the "8100 Taiwan Starts Moving" - a NT$810 billion infrastructure
construction program, the "Plan to Develop a Knowledge-based Economy
in Taiwan," the "Global Logistics Development Plan," and the "National
Development Plan for the New Century." With its solid economic foundation
and hard-working people, the ROC will establish Taiwan as a high-tech
island, respected for its environmental friendliness, high quality
of living, and advanced industrial development.
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| Foreign trade
is vital to the ROC economy, and in 2000 Taiwan was the world's
14th largest trading nation. (Photo by Huang Chung-shin) |
Taiwan has been ranked as one of the world's top four hi-tech information
hardware producers since 1995. Moreover, Taiwan ranks first in the production
of notebook computers, monitors, motherboards, and scanners, supplying
over one-half of the world's market of these products.
In his inauguration speech on May 20, 2000, President Chen Shui-bian
revealed his proposal to develop Taiwan into a "Green Silicon Island"
to maintain Taiwan's economic competitiveness and sustain the national
development, thereby ensuring a balance between environmental conservation
and economic development.
The Council for Economic Planning and Development of the Executive
Yuan initiated the "Green Silicon Island" plan in February 2001. The
plan is founded upon three major concepts: a knowledge-based economy,
a sustainable environment, and a just society.
The "Green Silicon Island" plan is being implemented through a variety
of construction projects, including the "8100 Taiwan Starts Moving"
infrastructure construction program, the "Plan to Develop a Knowledge-based
Economy in Taiwan," the "Global Logistics Development Plan," and the
"National Development Plan for the New Century."
Recent Measures for Transforming Taiwan into a "Green Silicon Island"
Liberalization of Mainland-bound Investment
in Silicon Wafer Plants
