President Visits Chang Gung Affiliated Kindergarten, Promises Policies to Address Low Birth Rate
President Lai Ching-te visited the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's affiliated kindergarten to address the low birth rate, calling it a national security issue and vowing to introduce more comprehensive policies. He emphasized the importance of supporting employees and childcare.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 15:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 15:31 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 00:20 (56h 48m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA), Taoyuan, April 16th. To promote the "Happy Workplace, Friendly Childcare" policy, President Lai Ching-te visited the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's affiliated kindergarten today. He stated that the low birth rate has become a national security issue, and the government's current "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" initiative is insufficient, promising to introduce more comprehensive policies to solve this national security problem.
President Lai, along with Minister of Labor Hong Shin-han and others, visited the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's affiliated kindergarten to understand the concrete results of the company's efforts in promoting employee childcare and a friendly workplace. Wang Rui-hui, Chairperson of the Chang Gung Healthcare Corporation, and Cheng Wen-chun, Chairman of the Chang Gung Decision Committee, accompanied them and listened to the briefing. President Lai presented educational picture books and interacted with the children outdoors for photos.
President Lai stated in his speech that the Chang Gung Healthcare system is Taiwan's guardian of health. He admired the words of the late Mr. Wang Yung-ching, "Employees are not costs, they are assets." Only by taking good care of employees and removing their worries can companies continue to grow. It is evident that the Chang Gung Healthcare system's efforts demonstrate that employees can feel secure at work and reassured about their children's care.
President Lai pointed out that today is the first official engagement for Huang Shih-chieh after being nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party. If Huang Shih-chieh frequently sought insights from the Chang Gung Healthcare system, he would understand how to govern Taoyuan. The Chang Gung Healthcare system's contribution to Taoyuan City is not just as a medical center; its management of employees, service to the public, and operational management offer much to learn from.
President Lai said that the low birth rate has become a national security issue. The President, ministers, and legislators should actively address it. When he served as Premier, he believed there were two responsibilities the government had to undertake without fail, thus the government launched the assisted reproductive technology subsidy program. Additionally, the "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" program was introduced, hoping parents can return to work, as economic development requires human participation.
President Lai stated that after former President Tsai Ing-wen took office, the "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" initiative aimed to reduce the burden on young couples, addressing the desire to have children but economic hesitation. However, it now appears that other supporting measures are needed. Besides launching the New Youth Housing Loan to encourage young people to marry and have children, the government also spends NT$30 billion annually on rental subsidies to reduce burdens.
President Lai said he hopes that in the future, central and local government agencies, as well as state-owned enterprises, will all have infant and toddler centers and kindergartens. He also encourages private enterprises to establish such facilities, with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital serving as a prime example. When establishing these, they can apply for quasi-publicization policies, where the government essentially covers the costs. The government's current "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" initiative costs NT$120 billion annually, and if companies are profitable, they can also bear part of the costs for their employees.
President Lai pointed out that the Childcare Services Act was passed on the 14th. In addition to infant and toddler centers, small enterprises can also establish smaller cooperative childcare facilities. Through legal incentives, if there are difficulties in site selection, the central government can review relevant regulations to assist. Through cooperation between central and local governments and corporate collaboration, employees can be free from worries. Subsequently, more comprehensive plans and policies will be proposed to face the national security issue of the low birth rate.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, accepting media interviews before the event, was asked how she viewed KMT Chairperson Chang Li-wen's visit to China and application for funds from the Democratic Foundation, paid for by the public. Kuo Ya-hui responded, "Did the KMT discuss any democracy with the Communist Party on this trip?"
When asked how she viewed Chang Li-wen's statement about having a sit-down talk with President Lai, Kuo Ya-hui said, she believes that for the citizens, they are more looking forward to, since Chairperson Chang has visited China for exchanges, whether she can quickly review the special defense ordinance upon her return. The public greatly anticipates the complete version of the special defense ordinance to be passed as soon as possible, and hopes that all parties in the legislature will work together for national security and national interests to complete it promptly. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150416
President Lai, along with Minister of Labor Hong Shin-han and others, visited the Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital's affiliated kindergarten to understand the concrete results of the company's efforts in promoting employee childcare and a friendly workplace. Wang Rui-hui, Chairperson of the Chang Gung Healthcare Corporation, and Cheng Wen-chun, Chairman of the Chang Gung Decision Committee, accompanied them and listened to the briefing. President Lai presented educational picture books and interacted with the children outdoors for photos.
President Lai stated in his speech that the Chang Gung Healthcare system is Taiwan's guardian of health. He admired the words of the late Mr. Wang Yung-ching, "Employees are not costs, they are assets." Only by taking good care of employees and removing their worries can companies continue to grow. It is evident that the Chang Gung Healthcare system's efforts demonstrate that employees can feel secure at work and reassured about their children's care.
President Lai pointed out that today is the first official engagement for Huang Shih-chieh after being nominated by the Democratic Progressive Party. If Huang Shih-chieh frequently sought insights from the Chang Gung Healthcare system, he would understand how to govern Taoyuan. The Chang Gung Healthcare system's contribution to Taoyuan City is not just as a medical center; its management of employees, service to the public, and operational management offer much to learn from.
President Lai said that the low birth rate has become a national security issue. The President, ministers, and legislators should actively address it. When he served as Premier, he believed there were two responsibilities the government had to undertake without fail, thus the government launched the assisted reproductive technology subsidy program. Additionally, the "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" program was introduced, hoping parents can return to work, as economic development requires human participation.
President Lai stated that after former President Tsai Ing-wen took office, the "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" initiative aimed to reduce the burden on young couples, addressing the desire to have children but economic hesitation. However, it now appears that other supporting measures are needed. Besides launching the New Youth Housing Loan to encourage young people to marry and have children, the government also spends NT$30 billion annually on rental subsidies to reduce burdens.
President Lai said he hopes that in the future, central and local government agencies, as well as state-owned enterprises, will all have infant and toddler centers and kindergartens. He also encourages private enterprises to establish such facilities, with Chang Gung Memorial Hospital serving as a prime example. When establishing these, they can apply for quasi-publicization policies, where the government essentially covers the costs. The government's current "National Childcare for Ages 0-6" initiative costs NT$120 billion annually, and if companies are profitable, they can also bear part of the costs for their employees.
President Lai pointed out that the Childcare Services Act was passed on the 14th. In addition to infant and toddler centers, small enterprises can also establish smaller cooperative childcare facilities. Through legal incentives, if there are difficulties in site selection, the central government can review relevant regulations to assist. Through cooperation between central and local governments and corporate collaboration, employees can be free from worries. Subsequently, more comprehensive plans and policies will be proposed to face the national security issue of the low birth rate.
Presidential Office spokesperson Kuo Ya-hui, accepting media interviews before the event, was asked how she viewed KMT Chairperson Chang Li-wen's visit to China and application for funds from the Democratic Foundation, paid for by the public. Kuo Ya-hui responded, "Did the KMT discuss any democracy with the Communist Party on this trip?"
When asked how she viewed Chang Li-wen's statement about having a sit-down talk with President Lai, Kuo Ya-hui said, she believes that for the citizens, they are more looking forward to, since Chairperson Chang has visited China for exchanges, whether she can quickly review the special defense ordinance upon her return. The public greatly anticipates the complete version of the special defense ordinance to be passed as soon as possible, and hopes that all parties in the legislature will work together for national security and national interests to complete it promptly. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150416