President Lai attends national science, technology conference 

President Lai Ching-te said that the government is committed to promoting progress throughout Taiwan via technological innovation, while creating a more resilient country capable of facing any challenge.

Lai made the remarks Dec. 16 at the Executive Yuan’s 12th National Science and Technology Conference in Taipei City. The quadrennial event brought together academics, experts, officials and business representatives to jointly draw a blueprint for future development.

The president first recalled the launches of the five-plus-two innovative industries plan in 2016 and the Six Core Strategic Industries in 2020 at the past conferences. He added that as emerging technologies and geopolitical changes pose new challenges, the Five Trusted Industry Sectors of artificial intelligence, military, next-generation communications, semiconductors, and security and surveillance become even more important.

According to Lai, the government’s current goal is to build a balanced, democratic and inclusive Taiwan through smart innovations, adding that the country will also lead industrial and societal transformations by promoting democracy, technology and human rights.

To this end, the president announced that next year’s science and technology budget will top NT$196.5 billion (US$6.05 billion), an increase of NT$7.7 billion from this year. Another flagship project focusing on developing Taiwan’s local special industries and infrastructure was also launched by the EY’s Economic Development Commission last week, he said, adding that the project will establish 140 projects related to infrastructure in fields spanning culture, medical care, residence, tourism and transportation.

Lai went on to mention Taiwan’s outstanding performances in global technological development, citing the country’s high rankings in research capability and the proportion of high-tech exports in the gross domestic product in the latest World Digital Competitiveness Ranking released by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development. He concluded by saying that the issues and strategies discussed during the conference will serve as a foundation for drafting future national science and technology development plans. (YCH-E)