Taiwan will join ranks of developed nations: president
Taipei, Oct. 14 (CNA) President Ma Ying-jeou pledged Friday to have Taiwan included in the ranks of developed countries if re-elected to another four-year term. Raising the issue in an interview the cable TV network TVBS, Ma said the Republic of China was now classified as an emerging industrialized nation and would not stop there. The country will continue to move forward and eventually meet the standards set down by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for "developed countries," which would involve improving Taiwan's standard of living, economic structure and government operations, he said. The president said that over the past four years, his administration has honored most of his campaign promises and has continued to work on those pledges that have yet to be achieved. Ma said public opinion in the country may be divided on some issues, but Taiwan's performance in government and business efficiency over the past several years has been rated positively in the international community. (By Kelven Huang and Y.F. Low)