Bridging the gap between the government and the public
/ Taiwan News, Staff Reporter /
Question 1:
The duties of the Ministry of the Interior traditionally have included virtually all domestic government affairs, such as those in the areas of civilian, household, land, conscription, construction, land re-planning, police, and fire fighting. Mr. Minister, what’s your priority and first thing you want to achieve in so many of your political views?
Answer 1:
Comprehensive Protection
Interior affairs are mostly related to citizens’ daily life, and the ministry has a fairly complete system in place. For Taiwan’s long-term development, we mostly focus on public security, fire fighting and rescue, social welfare, and urban and rural scenes.
Public Security:
When I took office four months ago, I brought up the idea of ‘elimination’, which meant removing the system of ‘achievement judgment’ to put an end to crimes involving providing succor for criminals. Decision-making power has been delegated to the county and city levels with rewards granted for successful crime investigation. Next, I directed my efforts against serious crimes, such as kidnapping, robbery, terrorist attacks and so on. Hence we have accomplished training of an anti-terrorism counterstrike force and reinforced equipment and training.
Polices not only serve to protect the people, but also behave like good neighbors. Additionally, I have proposed the idea of having a definite means of identifying police officers, making police like convenience stores: easy to be found and approachable.
Fire fighting and Rescue:
I believe people have a sense of reduced fire emergencies from last year. According to fire fighting department’s statistic results, there were 6,608 fires last year, 2,034 times less than the year before last, a reduction rate of 23.50 %. Moreover, death and injuries have also been reduced. This shows that firemen not only have done an excellent job in their primary duties, but also have brought their talents into full play in publicizing the means of fire prevention precautionary against natural calamities.
When I served as commander of the Central Emergency Operation Center, I found that reducing the number of casualties is the highest priority. Immediate evacuation of a flaming or damaged building is crucial. This depends on the speed of obtaining information in a high-risk situation by first getting people to cooperate. Take last year’s record typhoons and subsequent flooding, for example. Because we had to immediately enforce evacuation, casualties were reduced significantly in comparison with previous years. It has proved that evacuation is the most effective way to reduce casualty.
Besides, the fire department has established central emergency operation centers in northern, central and southern Taiwan. Among them, the northern one is to be headquartered in the Administration Building of Taipei County, and remaining software installation will be accomplished before June of this year. Locations for operation centers in central and southern Taiwan have yet to be determined.
Social Welfare:
The aim of social welfare is to look after vulnerable and minority groups, especially the elderly, women, children, teenagers, the disabled, and the immigrants, such as foreign and mainlander spouses of Taiwan passport holders. We do our best to defend them in order to reach a new balanced and to cultivate a just social welfare policy.
The aging of the population should not be ignored anymore, hence the Government has formed an interdepartmental ‘long-term care subdivision’. It aims at planning a system of long-term care, financing, resource management and statutes. We estimate that we will have a fruitful result before the end of 2006. It will be directed at creating a community care network to integrate civil resources to allow elders to experience good sunset years.
Moreover, care and guidance of foreign and mainland spouses and their children, these New Son and Daughters of Taiwan, should start from the perspective of multiculturalism. It should incorporate government’s and social resources to construct multiple care and guidance measures to treat them with equity. We should listen to their voices and ensure their rights have been secured. We hope compatriots learn the values of respect and tolerance to help its immigrants settle to create not just a multi-cultural, but also a harmonious society.
Besides, welfare policies for over 5.35 million children and teenagers are also part of our focus. We regret what has happened to the battered baby Chiu, which has caused waves of criticism by society. This incident has again revealed the importance of prosecuting domestic violence strictly. Perhaps but one phone call can save a child’s life or make a change for the better. So here I would like to reintroduce the 113 domestic violence hotline – the line aimed to protect women and children who are victims of domestic harassment and violence. We hope everyone can be a guardian angel in your neighborhood. Whenever you encounter a case of domestic violence, we hope you can pick up the phone to report abuses.
4.Giving new life to cities and country sides
Building a high quality environment is the key to improving national competitiveness. After years of work on urban and rural construction, the Ministry of the Interior has set the goal of building a living environment guided by the principle of human dignity. These means that the environment should inspire culture and vitality as well as concern for safety, comfort, beauty and satisfy people’s needs.
Actually, the project of urban and rural construction is considered the revival of local development. To narrow the gaps between urban and rural areas, the Ministry will increase the subsidy for needy areas and seek sustainable development.
Question 2：What kind of Internet services do the Foreign Affairs Police provide?
Can foreigners use English to report accidents or other cases?
How can foreigners who do not understand Chinese use these resources?
Answer2:
Online information for foreigners
1. The National Police Agency has set up the Information for Foreigners Website that deals with issues such as working visas, residence, study, health insurance, tax, etc. Please go to: http://www.npa.gov.tw/iff/
2. The Website opened last year and this year, has added more practical information such as hottest topics, chat room and other features. The National Police Agency has also established a 24-hour free-toll Call Center for foreigners.
Question 3:Taiwan’s e-government has been highly recognized worldwide. Please describe the digital services provided by the Ministry of the Interior. What other Internet services are being planned?
Answer3:
E-government for greater convenience
Our official web site was established in 1995. That move was in accordance with the Challenge 2008: National Development Plan, one of whose objectives is the e-government. Information on matters such as household registration affairs could be sourced from the Internet. Various applications can also be done online.
These online services have been receiving positive response. We have 293 items of online services including download of application forms, 128 official regulations of foreign-related matters in English, digital information regarding the government (such as territories, disaster prevention, construction management, how to use the police (警政) information system, or the border entry-exit (境管) information system, as well as certificate authority.
Question 4: The Challenge 2008: National Development Plan envisions increasing the number of tourists especially western visitors who enjoy ecological tours very much. What role does the MOI play in boosting the tourism industry?
Answer4:
Ecology and tourism go hand in hand
We plan to promote the national parks by protecting their natural resources and ensuring their sustainable development. National parks management is divided into several areas such as ecological protection, special scenery and historical preservation. Although some areas are open to visitors, others are restricted. Moreover, guides accompany visitors and make them understand the importance of appreciating, caring for and respecting these natural resources.
Currently, we hope to get communities participate in this ecological tourism. That is, the ecological tour routes and neighboring communities become integrated and together help increase tourism. The Kenting National Park Administration Office with Nanjenshan Area (南仁山地區), Yangminshan National Park Administration Office with Fish Trail and Ba-yen Community (八煙社區), Taroko National Park Administration Office with Datung and Dali Villages (大同、大禮部落), Shei-Pa National Park Administration Office with Shegiatiango Village (雪見天狗部落) and Kingmen with traditional villages. As such, social resources can be gathered with the surroundings and the ecological tours can get promoted; work opportunities will increase and profits made could be used in local construction projects.
Ecological tourism is the fastest developing. According to the World Tourism Organization, the estimated growth of this industry is between 10 and 15% per year and will become the largest industry in the world. Ecological tourism pays attention to both environmental protection and local economic development. On the other hand, business tourism merely cares for the bottom line and profits are collected by the enterprise, instead of contributing to local communities. Ecological tourism can help protect environmental resources and develop culture. The establishment of the national parks is a must. Ecological tourism guarantees preservation of our lands and resources, enhances our standards of ecological preservation, living and production.