The Chinese Institute of Engineers hosted its 2013 General Meeting today (31st) to celebrate Engineer's Day on June 6. This year, the event was held in passionate Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and was organized by the CPC Corporation. With over 600 people on the day and the presentation of engineering awards, the event was a highlight of the engineering community. The Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council of the Executive Yuan was also invited as well so the annual meeting not only showcase top engineering achievements but also highlighted the history and accomplishments of Morakot reconstruction. CIE members were all impressed with the dedication and contributions of the reconstruction units. Chairman Lin Sheng-Chung and CEO Wu Ching-Yang of CPC both attended the event. Vice-President Wu Den-Yih, former convener of the Reconstruction Council of Executive Yuan, took part as well and expressed his approval of the latest partnership between the CIE and Reconstruction Council. The vice-president also thanked the engineering community for their contributions to national and economic development. Finally, he expressed his high expectations of the new permanent housing communities as well as the emerging tourism industry. CIE President Chern Jenn-Chuan had previously served as the CEO of the Reconstruction Council and said that he was honored to invite Vice-President Wu Den-Yih to attend this gathering of outstanding engineers in Taiwan. As the convener of the Reconstruction Council at the time, former premier Wu Den-Yih could be considered the chief architect of the Council. Wu hosted a total of 24 Reconstruction Council meetings and issued the directive that the remediation of Taimali River in Taitung should respect nature. As a result, the remediation project was carried out successfully, allowing the local people to settle down and live in safety along the river. Finally, president Chern encouraged all of the engineers at the event to continue supporting national development. His speech was cheered by all present. During his speech, Vice-President Wu also said that Morakot reconstruction was completed so quickly because of President Ma Ying-Jeou strong leadership and decisiveness at critical moments. The swift approval of the Post-Typhoon Morakot Reconstruction Special Act and special budget by all parties in the Legislative Yuan played an important part as well. Even more importantly, with the cooperation of the central and local governments, private enterprises and NGO resources were also channeled into reconstruction efforts and helped accelerate their completion. CEO Chern Jenn-Chuan's long-term leadership at the forefront of reconstruction efforts in particular saw the reconstruction area rise from the rubble and undergo a complete rebirth. These were all thanks to the hard work of the Reconstruction Council. Chern also mentioned that the World Engineers Summit 2013, the biennial general meeting of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, will be held in September this year. Chern will lead a delegation from Taiwan and has been invited to speak at the summit on Taiwan's precious experience with post-Morakot reconstruction. This will further enhance Taiwan's visibility and influence in the international engineering community. To give local and foreign engineers an idea of the difficulties and experiences of Morakot reconstruction, the Reconstruction Council invited the CIE to draw up two routes for visiting the post-Morakot reconstruction areas in Pingtung and Kaohsiung. A travel desk was even set up at the venue of the CIE general meeting to provide reconstruction information, travel information, high-quality travel itineraries, information about the features of the permanent housing sites and their surrounding sights. Managers representing their companies at the general meeting were encouraged to take advantage of this service to organize tour packages for their employees. The popular Morakot Rainbow Market as well as a singing and dancing performance by indigenous students of Majia Junior High School was also on the menu, giving the engineers an opportunity to experience the energy of the post-Morakot revival. The Reconstruction Council stated that most of the infrastructure development and resettlement projects have now been completed. Future reconstruction efforts will concentrate on improving culture, life care, community development, and industries and employment. The goal is to create Colorful Sustainable Community that integrate lifestyle, production and ecology. Industry and livelihood efforts in particular will require marketing through different channels in order to make people and organizations in Taiwan aware of these region's tourism potential and specialty industries after reconstruction. The fusion of local specialties and tourism will help generate boundless development potential.

Vice-president giving his blessings at the even

Passionate performance of samba drums by Majia Junior High School

Vice-President Wu and indigenous students invite everyone to visit the charming permanent housing