New Southbound Policy Portal

Tsai pledges to advance Taiwan’s smart technology development

President Tsai Ing-wen said Feb. 10 that the government is progressing well in its plans to transform Taiwan into a digital nation and smart island, with preparations for industrial upgrades and economic restructuring in full swing as the country prepares for the coming 5G wireless era.
 
Efficient transportation, smart health care and a thriving digital economy are key to fast-tracking Taiwan’s technological development, Tsai said. The government is also overseeing the installation of comprehensive broadband infrastructure countrywide to narrow the urban-rural divide, she added.
 
Tsai made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2020 Intelligent Community Forum Top7 Global Cities Announcement/Conference in Taoyuan.
 
According to Tsai, the northern city is a shining example of progress made in the past few years. An executive center of the government’s flagship Asian Silicon Valley Development Plan, Taoyuan was awarded New York-based ICF’s 2019 Intelligent Community of the Year for its outstanding application of smart technology to local governance, Tsai said, praising its use of augmented and virtual reality devices for startups, telemedicine for residents in remote areas and video translation for new immigrants.
 
Launched in 2016, the ASVDP has two primary objectives: promoting innovation and R&D for devices and Internet of Things applications as well as upgrading Taiwan’s startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
 
Tsai also praised the use of technology by Taiwan’s health agencies following the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, including an official LINE account providing citizens with access to accurate and up-to-date disease information, spotlighting the government’s technical prowess and rapid response capability in the face of an emergency.
 
First-round bidding for Taiwan’s 5G spectrum wrapped up last month. The technology is expected to further secure the country’s status as a global leader in innovation, Tsai said. (YCH-E)
 
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