DPP sets up committee to help new immigrants

Taipei--The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Wednesday launched a committee tasked with addressing the needs of new immigrants in Taiwan.

The DPP approved a proposal earlier this month to set up the committee to address the needs of the nation's increasing number of new immigrants.

The 12-member committee is composed of new immigrants, scholars and experts, according to the party.

During the launch ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen (???), who is also the DPP chairwoman, said that through the establishment of the committee, she is confident that Taiwan will become a more friendly and ethnically diverse country.

The number of foreign spouses of Taiwanese nationals, or first-generation new immigrants, stands at about 500,000 in Taiwan, while the number of second-generation new immigrants is more than 350,000. New residents have become the fifth-largest group in Taiwan, Tsai said, citing government statistics, adding that as the ruling party, the DPP has to address their needs and hear their opinions.

Tsai noted that the committee includes eight members who represent first-generation and second-generation new immigrants from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and mainland China who live in all parts of Taiwan.

Tsai also expressed hope that the committee will help facilitate dialogue and promote mutual understanding between new immigrants and Taiwanese people.

Tran Thi Hoang Phuon, a lecturer of Vietnamese at National Chengchi University, who serves as chief of the committee, said at the ceremony that given that new immigrants hold a majority of the seats on the committee, the committee's formation represents the real spirit of democracy.

Tran, who also goes by the Chinese name Chen Huang-feng (???), also said she was happy to be able to participate in the country's policy making by taking the post.

Tran has a degree in law from Vietnam National University. In 1995, she married a Taiwanese man who was working in Ho Chi Minh City at the time.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel