Premier Mao Chi-Kuo of the Executive Yuan listened to a report by the Ministry of the Interior on “Implementation Results of National Park Sustainable Development” today (10th), and indicated that the system of protected areas makes important contributions to maintaining the well-being of mankind and the sustainable development of national land. He asked the Ministry of the Interior to continue carrying out conservation research, deepening environmental education, and promoting eco-tourism under the vision and objectives of conservation and sustainability, experiential and environmental education, partnership and joint prosperity, and performance and innovation. He hopes to unite local communities and let national parks become the more precious sustainable asset, passed down to future generation as they continue to grow. Premier Mao pointed out that national parks were established in the 1970s under the global trend of environmental conservation and establishing protected areas. The main functions of national parks include conservation, entertainment and research, prioritizing conservation in hopes of achieving national land protection, environmental ethics and ecological aesthetics.