DPP forum calls for economic reforms

The hopefuls made the remarks while spelling out their platforms at the first of four DPP-organized televised forums ahead of a public opinion poll to be conducted to decide the party's standard-bearer for the 2012 race.

Su focused on education and the re-zoning of national land as a foundation for the country's sustainable development.

The former premier noted that previous administrations have concentrated resources in developing the Cabinet-governed municipalities, and geographically speaking, development has been lopsided in favor of areas in the north.

Last year the government hurriedly redefined the boundaries of many areas, resulting in a new local government structure that divides the country into five Cabinet-level special municipalities and 17 counties, Su said.

Such a division is tantamount to labeling some as first-rate cities and the others as second-rate, and their respective residents first- and second-rate citizens, he said.

He also faulted the Kuomintang (KMT) administration for having failed to work out related measures in support of the new structure.

Su stressed that imbalanced development of the nations' land and unequal distribution of resources means that a child's place of birth could determine his or her future success.

He said he feels indignant that children in poor areas are unable to attend good schools.

Education is the foundation of the country, and every child should be given equal chances, Su said, stressing that educational funding must be given top priority and fairly distributed to improve all schools.

Taiwan must thoroughly revise its planning for the use of its land in order to support sustainable development, Su said. The planning must be considered in terms of combining areas with similar characteristics, lifestyles and local cultures, he continued.

He suggested that Greater Taipei, Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli, Greater Taichung, Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan, Kaohsiung-Pingtung, eastern Taiwan and the outlying islands should work together for the development of their respective areas.

Tsai's call for structural change aims to restore agriculture as a major driver of Taiwan's economy.

Taiwan has long given priority to industrial development over agriculture, but now it is time to reverse the trend, the DPP chairwoman said.

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