The Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program (Chinese: 前瞻基礎建設計畫; Tongyong Pinyin: Cián Jhān Jī Chǔ Jiàn Shè Jì Hùa; Tâi-lô: Tsiân-tsiam ki-tshóo kiàn-siat kè-uē) is a large-scale infrastructure construction investment plan for Taiwan, launched in March 2017 by Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and declared to be promoted by Premier Lin Chuan. "Forward-Looking" means "outlook, forecast" or "prospective", and the plan embodies the meaning of "an infrastructure construction plan that looks to the future", and also reflects the intention to accelerate projects that have not yet been started.[1]
| Location | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Type | Economic development |
| Organized by | Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen |
Overview
editThe program is similar to the previous Ten Major Construction Projects and the New Ten Major Construction Projects, but with a greater emphasis on the development of rail infrastructure.
Upon Tsai Ing-wen's inauguration as president in 2016, she expressed her intention to invest in infrastructure construction as part of economic stimulus measures to review the previous heavy industry-oriented industrial structure and to further promote eco-friendliness and digitalization. The plan is broadly divided into rail infrastructure, digital infrastructure, water conservancy infrastructure, environmental infrastructure, and local urban infrastructure, and aims for regional balance, increased domestic investment, and sustainable and stable economic growth. The massive government spending is also intended to attract NT$1.7777 trillion in private investment, and is expected to boost GDP by a total of NT$975.9 billion over eight years.[2] The central government budget was incorporated into plans submitted by local governments in Taiwan and approved by the Executive Yuan in March 2017, with the aim of enacting legislation in May of the same year.[3]
On 5 July 2017, the first Forward-Looking Infrastructure Bill passed the Legislative Yuan. The bill provided NT$420 billion in funds over a period of 4 years toward infrastructure projects in light-rail infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, flood control measures, and green energy, talent development, urban and rural infrastructure, digital infrastructure and food safety.[4][5][6] Other projects include improving road safety and aesthetics, locally oriented industrial parks, recreation centers, bicycle paths, and public service centers for long-term care.[7][8]
Major infrastructure projects
editRail infrastructure
editThe Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program included an eight-year railway investment plan from 2017 to 2024, with a special budget of approximately NT$424.1 billion. The program focused on expanding rail connectivity, reducing regional disparities, and improving urban transit systems. Projects were grouped into five categories: integration of the Taiwan High Speed Rail and Taiwan Railways Administration networks, upgrades to eastern Taiwan rail services, railway grade separation and commuter rail improvements, metro expansion in metropolitan areas, and tourism railways in central and southern Taiwan.
Major projects included the electrification of the South Link line between Taitung County and Chaozhou, Pingtung, double-track electrification works in Hualien County and Taitung, the Taoyuan Railway Underground Project, the Tainan Railway Underground Project, and the Kaohsiung MRT Gangshan–Luzhu extension. New metro and light rail systems were also developed or expanded in New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Several tourism-oriented railway projects, including upgrades to the Alishan Forest Railway and the Jiji line, were also funded under the program.[9]
Green energy development
editThe green energy component of the program allocated NT$24.32 billion in special funding to support Taiwan's energy transition policies. The projects focused on renewable energy technology, industrial development, and research infrastructure. Government plans included solar photovoltaic research platforms, offshore wind power facilities at Port of Taichung, and the Kaohsiung Marine Technology Industrial Innovation Zone.[10]
Additional funding supported the development of green technology science parks, low-carbon infrastructure, energy storage demonstration systems, and renewable energy testing and certification centers. The program aimed to expand Taiwan's renewable energy sector and strengthen its role in the regional green technology industry.[11][12]
Digital infrastructure
editThe digital infrastructure section combined NT$46.1 billion in special funding with annual science and technology budgets and private-sector investment in broadband and digital services. The Executive Yuan stated that the program was intended to expand broadband access, strengthen cybersecurity, and support digital public services and cultural industries.[13]
The projects included upgrades to government cloud data centers, expansion of broadband access in rural areas, digital learning infrastructure in schools, and development of public Internet of Things systems. Funding was also provided for high-definition media production, digital cultural archives, and smart city applications. The government described the policy as part of a broader "Digital Nation and Smart Island" initiative.[14]
Water environment projects
editWater infrastructure projects focused on flood prevention, water supply stability, and environmental restoration. The program included river improvement works, reservoir upgrades, recycled water systems, groundwater backup wells, and water conservation technologies. Major projects included the Shihmen Reservoir sediment tunnel project, the Wuxi Bird Beak Lake artificial lake project, and the Tsengwen–Nanhua water pipeline connection project.[15]
According to the Water Resources Agency, the projects were intended to reduce flooding risks, improve water supply reliability, and restore river environments. Government estimates projected improvements to about 200 km2 (77 sq mi) of flood-prone areas and expanded daily water supply capacity by approximately one million metric tons.[16]
Urban and regional development
editUrban and regional development projects were proposed mainly by local governments and focused on local infrastructure and community development between 2017 and 2020. Projects included parking facilities, road improvements, industrial parks, cultural and recreational facilities, sports environments, and community-centered public spaces.
The program also included policies intended to reduce disparities between municipalities and non-special municipalities. In 2018, the Examination Yuan approved adjustments to civil service ranking systems in non-special municipalities to match those of special municipalities. Other related policies included proposals for administrative boundary adjustments, child-friendly welfare initiatives, and regional revitalization programs linked to local industries and social enterprises.[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program". Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program". March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Chen Wei-han (June 13, 2017). "Review of forward-looking plan urged". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Liu, Kuan-ting; Wang, Cheng-chung; Huang, Frances (July 5, 2017). "Forward-looking infrastructure bill passed". Central News Agency. Archived from the original on October 28, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ↑ Chow, Jermyn (September 1, 2017). "Taiwan Parliament approves funds for infrastructure plan". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ↑ Kuo, Chia-erh (May 16, 2017). "Committee passes infrastructure bill". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ↑ Lee, Hsin-fang; Hsiao, Sherry (July 30, 2018). "NT$72.7bn infrastructure plan revealed". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ↑ "Forward-looking infrastructure". Executive Yuan, Taiwan R.O.C. December 2011. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ↑ "EDITORIAL: Time to fund southern Taiwan more". Taipei Times. August 4, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Angelica Oung (January 12, 2021). "Kaohsiung site to develop marine tech". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Matthew Fulco (April 20, 2026). "Taiwan Grapples with Energy Policy Travails". American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Xin-En Wu; Emily Wang (January 9, 2024). "March to the Second Wave of Energy Transition Taiwan: Profound Energy Conservation and Diverse Green Energy Approaches". energy-omni.com. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Eric Chang (February 9, 2022). "Taiwan's NDC proposes US$6.47 billion infrastructure plan for 2023-2024". Taiwan News. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Yang, Julie (March 1, 2019). "Digital Nation, Smart Island': Building a Workforce for the Digital Economy". Perspectives on Taiwan: Insights from the 2018 Taiwan-U.S. Policy Program: 16–20. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Huang Chi-hao; Jason Pan (April 6, 2024). "Infrastructure program built resilience, DPP says". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Michael Nakhiengchanh (December 30, 2025). "Taiwan rolls out water expansion plan". Taiwan News. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
- ↑ Younger, Hollie (November 20, 2025). "Cabinet submits draft for over NT$1 trillion in local government funding for 2026". Taipei Times. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
