Reported by: Weng Wei-Chih at County Hall
In response to the request of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) for Kinmen County Government to postpone the water connection ceremony due to “inappropriate timing,” Magistrate Chen Fu-Hai summoned Deputy Magistrate Wu Cheng-Dian, Senior Executive Officer Wong Zih-Bao, Director Syu Jheng-Fang of Kinmen Water Plant and the relevant staff yesterday (29th) to discuss its subsequent approach in handling the issue.
Magistrate Chen emphasized that putting countrymen’s rights and well-being in the first place has always been the intention and emphasis of his political career. As long as it is for the good of Kinmen and its populace, he will definitely persist to the end and shoulder the responsibility with courage. With regard to MAC’s reason that the dispute over the suspension of next year’s East Asian Youth Games (EAYG) makes “the current timing of the water connection ceremony inappropriate,” he expressed his full respect and understanding. However, the so-called “ceremony” is in fact only a “procedure” to express gratitude to those who devoted their efforts and made sacrifices for the connection of the water supply across the Taiwan Strait. What really matters to him is getting the water supply as scheduled on August 5th.
At the meeting, Director Syu Jheng-Fang of Kinmen Water Plant also reported on the whole process of cross-strait water connection, and pointed out that this is an achievement by the efforts of all for over 20 years. Ensuring the water connection as scheduled is the highest principle, and is also in the best interests of all citizens in Kinmen. As for the way or procedure, it can be further discussed.
In view of the serious water shortage in Kinmen, there is pressure that the water connection should not be delayed. Although the central government has taken a strong position about the water connection ceremony, it still supports in principle that the contract between the Kinmen Water Plant and the water supply company in Fujian Province be honored normally, ensuring unaffected progress of water supply and purchase. Considering this, to allow household water to be supplied from Mainland China to thousands of Kinmen families, Magistrate Chen decided that the water connection must be implemented as scheduled on August 5th to safeguard the rights of Kinmen’s residents.
Regarding the preparatory work of water diversion from China (cross-strait water connection), the Kinmen County Government and relevant central government departments (Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Economic Affairs, etc.) have fully communicated on the issue of cross-strait water connection. They understand and respect each other’s positions. There is no such matter as “negligence.” All the efforts of the County Government are to facilitate early realization of the water connection. Magistrate Chen has therefore pledged especially that it is not only a goal but also a mission for fellow citizens to drink and use good-quality water. Kinmen’s household used water will never be affected in any way; people in Kinmen can put their minds at rest.