President Tsai Ing-wen (center) is joined by other officials in applauding the 2021 Smart City Summit and Expo during the four-day event’s opening ceremony March 23 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of Presidential Office)
 

President Tsai Ing-wen said March 23 that Taiwan is making great strides toward its policy goal of becoming a “Digital Country, Smart Island,” setting an example for democratic countries around the world when it comes to smart city development.

The government is sparing no effort in promoting 5G telecommunications technology under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, the president said.

To this end, several initiatives have been implemented to set up experimental trials for the development of smart technology applications, Tsai said. These include the Asia Silicon Valley in Taoyuan City, the Asia New Bay Area in Kaohsiung City and the Shalun Smart Green Energy Science City in Tainan City, she added.

The president made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the Smart City Summit and Expo in Taipei. Jointly organized by the Taipei City and Taoyuan City Governments, the event is underway at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center through March 26, with more than 60 cities from 35 countries taking part virtually.

According to the president, the annual expo provides a great opportunity for local firms to showcase their high-tech prowess and promote cross-border collaboration. It also serves as a key platform in Asia for countries to share their governance experience and related developments, she added.

Various smart technologies are being employed in disaster prevention and rescue missions in Taiwan, she said, adding that many cities have set up smart response systems that allow firefighters and medical professionals to better manage emergencies.

Tsai said she believes technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things will play an even greater role in the post-coronavirus era. She expects the public and private sectors to continue working together in promoting smart city innovations and ensuring cybersecurity, so that Taiwan can serve as a successful example for the rest of the world.

Launched in 2017, the FIDP aims to meet Taiwan’s development needs for the following three decades. It covers eight categories: aquatic environments, childcare facilities, digital infrastructure, food safety, green energy, human resources, railways and urban-rural renewal projects. (SFC-E)