UMC President Positive over Political Transition
Taipei, March 24 (CNA) Taiwan's political transition may help solve the country's "fundamental problems" and a new administration should be able to improve the economic prospects, according to John Hsuan, vice chairman and president of United Microelectronics Corp.
(UMC).
Although Hsuan said he supported independent candidate James Soong in the election, he has a positive outlook on Taiwan's second direct presidential election on March 18, despite the fact that Soong was not elected.
He said that even fluctuations of Taiwan's stock market after the election will be no more than a temporary phenomenon.
As Hsuan sees it, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its supporters have become more and more rational. With Chen Shui-bian assuming the presidency, some of Taiwan's "fundamental and lasting problems" may now be solved, he said.
While expressing optimism and confidence over Taiwan's political and economic developments, Hsuan said that cross-Taiwan Strait relations remain a major concern of UMC's foreign customers. He added that he expects the new president to carefully evaluate the situation and find solutions.
Following is a digest of an interview by CNA reporter Daphne Wu: Q: You stood out to support James Soong (in the election). How do you evaluate the election results? A: I am indeed Mr. Soong's supporter. UMC is grateful to Mr.
Soong, who has provided much assistance over the years. Our support was an expression of our gratitude.
On the other hand, I am very positive regarding the election results, because Taiwan has been tested with a very important election in its democratization process, and even those who failed to be elected have accepted the reality gracefully. I am in strong support of Mr. Soong's plan to assume a supervisory role as an opposition force.
Q: Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected president. How will his election affect Taiwan's political and economic development? A: The stock market may have certain fluctuations, though I believe it will only be a temporary phenomenon. I would like to call on investors to be rational in observing the situation. After all, Taiwan's economic fundamentals are sound and healthy.
I believe that many fundamental problems of the Kuomintang-rule era, such as cross-strait relations, may have a chance to attain a breakthrough. If the fundamental problems can be solved, Taiwan's economic prospects will be even better, and foreign manufacturers will be more willing to cooperate with their counterparts in Taiwan.
Taiwan's political situation is the focus of international attention. UMC's customers and partners often express their concern over cross-strait relations while talking business. It is hard to say whether Chen Shui-bian can attain a breakthrough of the stalemate.
Nevertheless, it is urgent that some kind of solution is found, and only through exchanges and dialogue can relations be improved and a basis for mutual trust established.
Q: You mean that you are in support of a political transition in terms of changing of ruling party in order to break the stalemate? A: I am in support of changing of the executive level of the government, not necessarily a change of the ruling party. Taking UMC's experience as an example, the company's administration became more efficient with reshuffles at the executive level. If one remains too long in a certain position, one may become negligent in other areas, or may consider reforms unattainable. The March 18 election has resulted in a change in the executive level of the government, and a breakthrough can be expected.
The DPP has listed Taiwan independence in its party platform and has made it a political appeal to Taiwan's voters. According to my observation, the DPP has elevated itself to a democratic party to achieve its goal of becoming the ruling party. DPP supporters are high-spirited and non-violent. All in all, I am still confident in Taiwan's future under a DPP administration. |
