TAIPEI: Johnny Chiang, the newly-appointed head of the Government Information Office (GIO), said yesterday he will push for the injection of more public and private resources into cultural and creative industries because the sector has the potential to create another economic miracle.

Speaking after taking over the helm of the GIO, Chiang said Taiwan's cultural and creative industries are full of promise and vitality. He cited as examples the box office success of the youth gang flick Monga and award-winning screening of Taiwan's Au Revoir Taipei at the just-concluded Berlin International Film Festival.

"The cultural and creative industries indeed offer a good opportunity for Taiwan to rise to excellence and may also allow Taiwan to create yet another economic miracle," Chiang said, referring to the export processing industry that fueled Taiwan's first economic takeoff in the 1970-1980s.

Chiang was responding to remarks made at the changeover ceremony as he took over from his predecessor, Su Jun-pin, who said he dreamed of helping Taiwan's television, filmmaking and pop music industries find their optimal niches in the Chinese-speaking world.

Praising Chiang as a cool-headed, resourceful and methodical person, Su said he believes the GIO will operate steadily and smoothly under Chiang's stewardship.

In response, Chiang said he felt honored to be recruited into the Executive Yuan to serve the Taiwan public.

"I am taking office with solemnity and will work to the best of my ability to fulfill my mission," said the 38-year-old Chiang, previously an associate professor in Soochow University's Department of Political Science.

On the development of creative and cultural industries, Chiang promised to infuse more resources into the sector by integrating public and private sector strength to upgrade Taiwan's competitiveness and influence.

Su, who took the GIO post January 1, 2009, will be transferred to serve as the ruling Kuomintang's spokesman.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 02/25/2010 page6)