Taiwan's social safety net needs to be repaired, strengthened: VP

Taipei, Dec. 22 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said Monday that a recent stabbing spree in downtown Taipei indicates anxiety continues to exist in society, and that the social safety net needs to be repaired and strengthened.

Hsiao made the comments during a meeting with recipients of the 22nd Golden Rudder Awards and Bright Youth Awards at the Presidential Office.

The awards honor individuals who have made significant contributions to youth counseling, crime prevention and offender rehabilitation through the Golden Rudder Awards, while recognizing young people who once lost their way but have since shown remorse, transformed themselves and given back to society with the Bright Youth Awards.

Hsiao said that while technology creates more opportunities for the next generation, it also presents many challenges, including a loss of warmth in human interactions and insufficient values-based guidance.

As a result, some young people may momentarily lose their way amid social change, she said, praising award recipients for helping young people who made mistakes return to society through their professionalism, compassion and patience.

These efforts, she said, are "a vital force underpinning both the probation system and social security."

Speaking about Friday's indiscriminate attacks near two Taipei metro stations, Hsiao said, they once again highlighted "lingering social anxiety in Taiwan and the need to repair and strengthen the social safety net."

The vice president did not elaborate on what the social safety net entails, but said that in the aftermath of such incidents, "continued engagement by award recipients is essential," including working with the government, the education system and civil society to help prevent similar tragedies.

On Friday evening, 27-year-old Chang Wen (張文) threw smoke bombs and stabbed bystanders inside MRT Taipei Main Station and outside the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi department store near MRT Zhongshan Station.

The incident resulted in four deaths, including Chang, who fell to his death from the six-story department store's roof while being pursued by police.

At Monday's press conference, Taipei Police Department Commissioner Li Hsi-ho (李西河) expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims in the Taipei attacks.

Li said that a task force has been looking for clues and evidence concerning Chang's crimes under the direction of the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.

It found that from April 2024 to this year, Chang purchased the tools he used to commit his attacks, including gas masks, smoke bombs, gasoline cans, gas canisters and methanol, and had drawn up a plan for his attacks, according to Li.

Chang's preparations spanned one and a half years, "clearly indicating premeditation," Li said.

According to Li, the task force found that on the afternoon of the incident, Chang carried out several acts of arson and random attacks. During the process, he repeatedly changed modes of transportation and disguises to evade and delay police pursuit, Li said.