by Ma Ying-jeou
translated by Bevin Chu, Wu Min-yen, Li Cheng-hsiu
May 2, 2007
Ma Ying-jeou (standing)
Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Party Members, County and Municipal Chiefs, Members of the Press, Welcome!
ONE. UNITE OUR FORCES, ENSURE OUR VICTORY
The Kuomintang (KMT) Central Standing Committee has just approved Ma Ying-jeou as the party's presidential candidate in 2008, and will report its decision to the National People's Congress in June this year. I feel honored by their decision. I also feel the the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. Next year's presidential election will determine whether Taiwan can regroup and move forward. I promise to unite our forces to ensure our victory at the polls. I will personally invite Chairman Wang Jyn-ping to be my running mate, and together we will fight for Taiwan's future.
What worries the public on Taiwan the most is the economy. Therefore I would like to take this opportunity to share my vision for Taiwan, and to suggest the means by which this vision can be made a reality.
TWO. THE ISLAND'S ECONOMY IS DEPRESSED, THE PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE HARD
Recently I visited the Wang-kung fishing Port in Fang-yuan Village, Changhua County. I met a 70 year old woman named Yang, whose daily work was shucking oysters. Her work looked hard. I asked her how many hours she worked, and how much money she made. She said she worked ten hours a day, but the economy wasn't what it used to be, so she made only 200 NT a day. When I heard this, I felt a twinge of pain in my heart. This is Taiwan's plight. The common man works long hours, makes little money, and lives a hard life.
Ever since the Democratic Progressive Party assumed power, the economy has been in free fall, and the suicide rate has skyrocketed. Incomes no longer keep pace with living costs. University graduates' starting salaries are in decline. Among the Four Asian Tigers, Taiwan's economic performance is bringing up the rear. South Korea's national income has surpassed Taiwan's. The gap between rich and poor increases day by day. One hundred forty thousand schoolchildren cannot afford a nutritious lunch. Unemployment has nearly doubled during the past seven years. Fewer and fewer foreign businesses come to invest. More and more Taiwan businesses list on the Hong Kong exchange. The US and South Korea have reached a Free Trade Agreement. Asean and mainland China have established a Free Trade Area disadvantageous to Taiwan's development. Taiwan is increasingly marginalized.
Confronted with this reality, we cannot pretend to be blind, because people can feel the pressure, and are losing confidence in the future. If the Kuomintang takes office in 2008, we will bring order out of chaos, restore public confidence, and revive Taiwan's economy.
THREE. A STRATEGY TO REVIVE TAIWAN'S ECONOMY: STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMY, CONNECT WITH THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION, AND ADOPT A GLOBAL OUTLOOK
In 2008, once the Kuomintang is in office, our goal will be an annual growth rate of 6%, and an average annual income of $US 20,000 by 2011.
The specifics of our strategy are:
First: Establish Local Reconstruction Funds to improve Local Finances; Promote Local Development to increase Taiwan's Prosperity
Given the embarrassing state of local finances, payrolls can't be met, making it difficult to promote local development. By the end of last year, long-term local government debt was 600 billion NT, revenues and expenditures were seriously out of balance, and local development was seriously hampered.
Central and local governments should be partners. But for seven years the central government has not only been grabbing all the power, it has been pocketing all the money. Local governments have been poor relations without a penny to their name. During my term as Taipei mayor, I experienced this hardship first hand. Many county and municipal chiefs are in the audience today. Once the Kuomintang is in office, we will reestablish the partnership between central and local governments. The central government should use its surplus revenues to establish a Local Government Financial Reconstruction Fund. It should help local governments pay off their debts, improve their finances, and promote local development. It is not necessary to wait till 2008. The central government should act now.
For the past several years central government tax revenues have exceeded expenditures. Why not use the surplus to help local governments? Haven't local governments contributed to to the central government's budget surplus? In 2005, central government revenue surpluses totaled 188 billion NT. Last year, they totaled 125 billion NT. The total for both years exceeded 300 billion NT. The central government will enjoy a surplus this year as well.
The election is drawing near, and the Democratic Progressive Party government is recklessly writing blank checks, buying political support from all quarters. We maintain that government money should help be used to help local communities. We suggest emulating private sector debt restructuring mechanisms, and before the end of this year, allocating at least 100 billion NT of the central government's surplus revenues to a Reconstruction Fund to help local governments pay off their debts. If we are in office in 2008, we will continue such a policy.
Second: Found Emerging Industries, Promote Traditional Industries, Create 100,000 Job Opportunities
Reviving Taiwan's economy requires founding emerging industries and promoting traditional industries, including service industries, manufacturing industries, and agriculture, directly creating job opportunities. If the Kuomintang is in office in 2008, we will reduce unemployment to less than 3%, and create 100,000 jobs per year.
In the emerging industries, for example biotechnology and the solar energy industry, if the Kuomintang is in office in 2008, we will implement concrete measures for achieving world leadership in emerging industries, and expand the scope of emerging industries, enhancing the potential for economic growth.
In the service industries, we will immediately eliminate unnecessary controls, creating income and job opportunities.
In the traditional manufacturing industries, we will promote competitiveness while upholding strict standards for environmental protection. Some industries face restructuring pressures. We must assist them, allowing these industries to become high value added industries producing products akin to French perfumes, Italian shoes, and Swiss watches. Which of these traditional industries is not a local, traditional industry? Because global consumers follow fashion, they are willing to pay high prices for these products, therefore these traditional industries have all become high valued added industries. If the government is diligent, Taiwan brands and products can be marketed the world over.
Taiwan's agriculture is not a sunset industry. It has the potential to reinvent itself. Once the Kuomintang is in office, we will support agriculture. On the one hand we will transform agriculture into a service industry. On the other hand, we will develop special crops, increasing overseas and mainland competitiveness. The Kuomintang will not cancel Welfare Subsidies to Elderly Farmers. If the National Annuity has not been established as scheduled, Welfare Subsidies to Elderly Farmers should be increased 1,000 NT to 6,000 NT, providing a safety net for senior citizens in rural regions.
Third: Connect with the Asian-Pacific Region by promoting Global Strategies: Transform Taiwan into a Bi-regional Airline Hub for both NE Asia and SE Asia. Transform Taiwan into an Dual Purpose Operations Center
The KMT's third strategy for reviving Taiwan's economy is to exploit Taiwan's geographical advantage, transforming Taiwan into a Bi-regional Airline Hub for both the Northeast Asian and Southeast Asian regions. We will do this by linking Taipei's CKS Airport to Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Seoul's Gimpo Airport and Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport in the north, and to Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport, and airports in the ASEAN nations in the south. We will establish Taipei's CKS Airport as a "double-gold" airline hub, then add existing trans-Pacific air routes. Taiwan-based enterprises can then set up global operations centers on Taiwan, and foreign companies can set up Asian-Pacific regional operations centers on Taiwan, transforming Taiwan into a Dual Purpose Operations Center.
The concept of a Bi-regional Airline Hub and a Dual Purpose Operations Center has implications not only for cross-Straits relations, but for the entire world. It connects Taiwan's economy to the economies of the Asian-Pacific region. We also seek to cooperate with the U.S. and other important economic partners in Asia, and to actively negotiate free trade agreements.
Fourth: Normalize Cross-Straits Economic and Trade Relations, predicated upon "Taiwan and the People First" and "Open as a Rule, Restricted as an Exception"
The ruling DPP knows the importance of the mainland market. However, because of its ideological bias and its Closed Door Policy, no opening is possible. Controls on cross-Straits economic policies should be eased. As long as provisions are made for crisis management, and as long as the Taiwan region and ROC citizens are given priority, Taiwan's policy should be "Open as a Rule, Restricted as an Exception." Specific provisions include:
( 1 ) Control Technology, not Capital when Businessmen from Taiwan invest on the Mainland
Regulations stipulate that companies based on Taiwan may not invest more than 40% of their net value on the mainland. Such restrictions harm only Taiwan, not the mainland. Take Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (TSMC) for example. If the government had allowed TSMC to invest on the mainland before the mainland developed its own wafer industry, TSMC would be the leader in IC manufacturing. Instead, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) has assumed that role. Even Intel has announced that it will set up a 12-inch wafer plant in Dalian. Taiwan has lost its edge.
If the KMT regains power, we will control only technology, not capital. If Taiwan -based enterprises keep their R&D on Taiwan, they can develop and own key technology. If that happens, we won’t need to limit the flow of capital. Allow businesses based on Taiwan to explore new frontiers and promote local prosperity.
( 2 ) Encourage Businessmen from Taiwan operating on the Mainland to list on Taiwan's Stock Market
Businessmen from Taiwan operating on the mainland are forbidden to list their companies on Taiwan's stock market. This prevents them from reinvigorating the capital market, from establishing new industries, and from keeping their roots in Taiwan. Permitting them to list their companies on the TAIEX would attract more foreign direct investment, benefiting Taiwan. Last year the number of companies listed in Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea jumped. Only Taiwan experienced a drop. Listings on the TAIEX fell from 691 to 688. Further losses are expected in the near future. More and more companies based on Taiwan are listing in Hong Kong. This trend is definitely hurting Taiwan. Therefore, Taiwan should welcome investments by businessmen from Taiwan operating on the mainland.
( 3 ) Change Cross-Straits Tourism from Unilateral Consumption to Bilateral Exchange
Large numbers of tourists from Taiwan visit the mainland each year, but the ruling DPP stubbornly refuses to allow mainland tourists to visit Taiwan. This is irrational. If we wish to increase economic prosperity, we must change cross-Straits tourism from Unilateral Consumption to Bilateral Exchange, and open our arms to mainland tourists. We intend to set a quota of 3000 visitors per day, one million visitors per year, and increase that number to three million visitors per year within four years. By doing so, we intend to create business opportunities totaling 100 billion NT per year.
( 4 ) Set Limits on the Import of Mainland Agricultural Products
We will not unconditionally open Taiwan to mainland produce. We are concerned about the sustainability of some of Taiwan's agricultural products and consumer goods. Mainland produce that threaten Taiwan's agricultural development will not be imported. We will evaluate the impact of low-priced products from the mainland on Taiwan's production. What should be allowed will be allowed. What shouldn't be allowed won't be allowed.
4. CONCLUSION: LET DEPRESSION END, LET HOPE BEGIN
The public on Taiwan has endured a shrinking economy caused by ruling DPP incompetence for seven years. That is seven years too long. Only change can offer hope. Only a change in leadership can bring about a change in our future. Let us work together hand in hand for that future.
Only genuine commitment can unite the people and make Election Day 2008 a turning point. Let depression end. Let hope begin.
Taiwan must not sink. Taiwan must not remain stuck. Taiwan must move forward!
Thank you very much!
Original Chinese below:
台灣必須大步向前行！
壯大台灣，結合亞太，布局全球
馬英九
96.5.2
各位先進、各位同志、各位來自全國各縣市的首長、以及記者先生女士們，大家好！
一、團結一切力量，爭取勝選
中 國國民黨中央常務委員會剛才通過英九代表中國國民黨參選２００８總統一案，並將提報今年六月全國代表大會，個人至感榮幸，並也感受責任的重大。明年總統大 選關係著台灣能否重整旗鼓，向前出發。英九向大家保證，將團結一切可以團結的力量，爭取勝選，我也將親自邀請王院長，擔任競選夥伴，共同為台灣打拼。
如今台灣民眾最關心的還是經濟問題，所以英九想借用這個機會，闡明對台灣經濟的願景以及實踐願景的政策。
二、台灣經濟不振，基層民眾生活艱苦
最 近我到彰化芳苑鄉王功漁港，認識一位阿?，姓楊，已經七十歲了，她每天的工作是把蚵仔從殼裡一個一個挑出來。我看她挑得很辛苦，問她每天工作多久？可以賺 多少錢？她說每天要工作十小時，這幾年景氣比過去差很多，工作一天只能賺兩百多塊。我聽到，一陣心酸。這就是台灣的現狀，基層人民工作辛苦，但收入很少， 生活非常艱困。
民進黨執政以來，經濟不斷向下沈淪，自殺人數創新高；人民薪資趕不上物價上漲；大學生起薪與過去比，變為負成長；台灣經濟 表現落到四小龍尾；韓國國民所得超過了台灣；貧富差距日益擴大；如今十四萬學童繳不起營養午餐；台灣失業人口七年間最高增加將近一倍。此外，外商來投資的 越來越少，台商到香港上市的越來越多，再加上美韓自由貿易協定、東協加中國大陸的自由貿易區等等不利台灣的發展，台灣被邊緣化的壓力越來越大。
面對這些情況，我們不能視而不見，因為人民感到壓力，對未來慢慢失去信心。如果２００８國民黨執政，保證一定撥亂反正，恢復大家信心，重振台灣經濟。
三、重振台灣經濟的策略──壯大台灣、結合亞太、布局全球
2008年，國民黨一旦執政，將以每年經濟成長率6%為目標，2011年時，每人平均所得可達20,000美元。
我們具體政策如下：
第一、設地方重建基金，改善地方財政，推動地方建設，壯大台灣
現在地方財政困窘，連薪水都發不出，難以推動地方建設，影響經濟發展。根據瞭解，到去年底為止，各地方政府長期債務，約達6,000億元，收支嚴重失衡，地方建設大受影響。
中 央與地方應是夥伴關係，七年以來中央集權又集錢，地方政府巧婦難為無米之炊，我在台北市長任內感受至深。今天多位縣市長同志在座，我要提出一項政策，就 是國民黨如果執政，一定重建中央與地方的夥伴關係，中央政府應將超收的稅捐，成立「地方政府財政重建基金」，幫地方政府打消債務，改善地方財政困境，促進 地方建設。我們認為不必等到２００８，中央政府應該立即去做。
近這幾年中央政府稅捐超收，實際課稅收入超過了預算，為什麼不拿超收的錢，幫助地方呢？稅捐超收，地方政府難道沒貢獻嗎？九十四年，中央政府稅捐超收約1,880億元，去年又有1,250億元，兩年加起來已經超過3,000億，今年肯定也會超收。
大 選快到了，我們看到民進黨政府亂開支票，四處綁樁。我們呼籲：政府的錢應該多幫地方。我們建議參考民間債務協商機制，在今年底前，從超徵的稅收中，至少提 撥1,000億，作為第一年「重建基金」，協助地方政府打消債務、解決燃眉之急。2008年以後，如果我們執政，一定繼續提撥。
第二、開創新興產業，振興傳統產業，創造十萬個就業機會
重振台灣經濟必須同時開創新興產業與振興包括服務業、製造業與農業等傳統產業，直接創造就業機會。如果2008年國民黨執政，我們將使失業率逐步降至3%以下，每年多創造的就業機會，要逐步增加到十萬人。
在新興產業方面，例如生物科技、太陽能產業等，2008國民黨如果執政，將研擬具體計畫，以創造具世界領導地位的新興產業及擴充新興產業的範疇，厚實經濟成長的動力。
在振興服務業方面，將立刻訂定振興方案，消除不必要的管制，課以各部會創造所得和就業數量的明確責任。
在 傳統製造業方面，將協助其提升競爭力與配合日益嚴格的環保要求。有些產業則面臨轉型壓力，必須協助他們，努力讓這些產業變成高附加價值的「高級產業」，就 像法國的香水、義大利的皮鞋、瑞士的鐘錶一樣。這些產業哪一項不是當地的傳統產業？但全球的消費者卻趨之若騖，願付很高的價錢買這些產品，所以這些傳統產 業都變成高附加價值的產業。只要政府用心，台灣品牌與產品一定可以行銷全世界。
另外，我們要強調台灣農業並不是夕陽產業，它絕對有轉型再 造的能力。國民黨執政一定扶植農業，一方面將農業服務業化，另一方面發展台灣特殊品種的農作物，增加在海內外市場（包括大陸）的競爭力。我們在此保證，國 民黨執政絕對不會取消老農年金，如果國民年金沒有如期開辦，希望老農年金增加1,000元，成為6,000元，讓農村老年人的生活獲得基本保障。
第三、以雙航圈、雙中心，結合亞太，布局全球
我 們重振台灣經濟的第三項策略，是利用台灣地理優勢，推動東北亞及東南亞雙航圈，向北連結東京羽田機場、首爾金浦機場，上海虹橋機場、向南連結香港、新加坡 和東協各國首都。有了「雙黃金航圈」，配合既有的跨越太平洋航線，就可以促使台商在台灣設立全球營運中心，外商在台灣設立亞太營運中心，也就是「雙營運中 心」。
這個「雙航圈、雙中心」的概念，包含了兩岸政策，但超越了兩岸政策，而是「全方位」布局，也就是以台灣既有的經濟實力，和亞太經濟緊密結合，同時我們也將尋求與美國及亞太重要經濟夥伴，積極協商自由貿易協定，達成布局全球的目標。
第四、在「以台灣為主、對人民有利」及「原則開放、例外管制」原則下，推動兩岸經貿正常化
民進黨政府也瞭解大陸市場的重要，但因為意識形態與鎖國政策，遲遲無法突破。我們認為只要作好風險管理，秉持「以台灣為主，對人民有利」及「原則開放，例外管制」的原則，兩岸經濟管制應該鬆綁，具體政策包括：
1. 企業赴大陸投資應控管技術，不管資金
台灣企業到大陸投資，目前規定不能超過淨值40%，這種限制「對大陸無效，對台灣有害」。
像台積電晶圓廠，如果幾年前，大陸自己晶圓產業沒有成型之前，就讓台積電去布局，現在大陸晶圓製造的市場龍頭地位，就非台積電莫屬，但目前大陸的中芯等廠已經起來，甚至英特爾宣佈在大連設置十二吋晶圓廠，台灣已漸錯過時機。
如果國民黨執政，我們將合理控管技術，不會控管資金。我們堅持台灣企業須持續在台灣進行研發活動，發展關鍵技術、保有關鍵技術。只要這些能做到，就不要限制資金，讓企業自由到外地開疆闢土，提升台灣實力。
2. 鼓勵大陸台商回台上市，活絡台股，根留台灣
目 前大陸台商回台上市，受限投資規定，沒有可行性，但讓台商在台灣的股票市場上市，可以活絡台灣資本市場，帶動新興產業發展，讓台商根留台灣，並且可以吸 引更多外資，對台灣有利。去年不論香港、新加坡與韓國股市新上市公司都大幅度增加，只有台灣的上市公司減少了三家[691降到688]，未來還可能進一步 減少，而台灣去香港上市的公司越來越多，這對台灣極為不利。所以，台商回台上市，應當全面開放。
3. 兩岸觀光從「單向消費」改成「雙向互惠」
在 觀光方面，每年台灣有大批人去大陸旅遊、消費，但不准大陸觀光客來台花錢，實在說不通。要對人民有利，就要把「單向消費」，改成「雙向互惠」，開放大陸觀 光客來台。我們希望每天開放3,000人，每年100萬人，四年內增加到每年300萬人，這樣有機會創造每年1,000億以上的收益。
4. 大陸農產品進口，不輕易開放
兩 岸經貿並不是全部都開放。像台灣許多農產品和消費品，我們必須注意產業的承受能力。貿然開放大陸農產品大量輸入台灣，如果衝擊台灣農業發展，就先不要開 放。另外，大陸低價的消費品，有些也要慎重，評估對台灣不利的影響。所以，我們強調，開放不是放任，當開則開，不當開則不開。
四、結語：鬱卒到此結束，希望從此開始
七年了，民進黨政府無能，經濟一落千丈，大家受的苦已經夠了。大家想過好日子，只有改變才有希望，只有政黨再次輪替才有機會。讓我們大家一起努力，用選票達到我們希望的改變。
只要我們精誠團結，結合廣大群眾的力量，就可以讓2008投票的那ㄧ天，鬱卒到此結束，希望從此開始。
台灣不能繼續沈淪、不能原地踏步，台灣必須大步向前行！
台灣加油！
謝謝大家！
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