Live long and prosper.

OK.

Minister Tang, when you talk about SARS 2.0, you talk about COVID-19?

Oh, I see. This will be edited into the interview.

Likewise. That was…

Minister Tang, thank you very much for your time.

Interesting. So you see democracy as being this malleable something that we can design and shape ourselves.

How do you see the future of democracy in Taiwan?

Overall, it’ll reflect the people who resonate. It’ll accurately reflect how many people resonate or not.

I see. Interesting. There’s a potential for lots of people downvoting it perhaps.

[laughs]

I’m thinking in some cases, digital technology seems to be making the divisions worse, such as people being in their own digital bubbles or echo chambers where they only see information that suits their views. How do you think, in this sort of environment, people should find common ground?

Taking a little broader perspective, in every society, there are problems that create divisions among people. How do you think people should find common ground? You spoke about this, about listening to each other’s feelings.

I see. So it’s purely on their part if they want to participate in this transparency or not.

I see.

I’m sorry. What can they send?

I see. You talk about this idea of radical transparency, including such as making this recording transcript available. Has there been any resistance in your administration against your efforts to be more transparent? What are the challenges in making a government totally open?

Interesting. In representative governments, we have lawmakers who represent citizens and make the laws. Why do you think it’s important to involve the citizens themselves in policymaking?

So everybody has an opportunity to voice their feelings, and that gets reflected in what happens. Every Wednesday, you open your office to the public so that people can meet you in person to discuss their policy proposals. They also send their ideas to you online. What do you learn ...

Part of the idea of digital democracy is getting the civil society involved in policymaking. Can you give examples where you’ve gotten the public to take part in policymaking?

Minister Tang, you advocate what you call digital democracy. Can you briefly explain what that is and how it works?

So what Taiwan went through in 2003, the world is going through now, and we need to learn from what’s going on now to prepare for the next one.

Right.

…and COVID-19 as SARS 2.0.

I’m sorry. You referred to the 2003 as SARS 1.0…

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the world in 2021?

What are some other reasons for Taiwan’s success in containing the outbreak?

Wow. A very strict penalty, but it’s made possible by only using existing technology.

What about in terms of monitoring people that have to stay in quarantine? What sort of digital technology is being used in that?

In terms of the masks, you made a mask map. That’s an app that was created by a volunteer. You took the idea and developed a government mask distribution app. What can we learn from this?

What Taiwan has achieved is incredible. Can you explain how digitalization helped contain the outbreak in Taiwan?

Joining us on the line is Taiwan’s Digital Minister, Audrey Tang. She’s playing a key role in the fight against COVID-19. Minister Tang, thank you very much for your time.

You’re listening to “Asian View” on NHK WORLD-JAPAN. Taiwan has been remarkably successful in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. Authorities say there have been only deaths so far in a population of 23 million and there had been no local transmission for over eight months.

Start from the intro…

We should turn off our cameras too?

Sure.

Right.

Nice to meet you.

Hello.