University head may be tapped to lead CAL reform

In a move aimed at reorganizing state-run China Airlines (CAL, 中 華航空), Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Chu-lan (葉菊蘭) announced yesterday the formation of a new board for the China Aviation Development Foundation (CADF, 中華航空事業發展基金會), which holds a 71 percent stake in CAL and is the main policy-making force behind the carrier.

Yeh also suggested National Chiao-tung University President, Chang Chun-yen (張俊彥) be named president of the group, replacing former Premier Hsu Li-teh (徐立德).

Chang has a long record of public service, including recent work as a member of the National Policy Advisory Committee (國政顧問團) formed by Academia Sinica president Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) to help President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) organize the new government.

Relatives in Chang's family were killed in the 228 Incident, and because of his family's political leanings, Chang had virtually no chance of studying abroad during the White Terror period. Chang received a PhD from National Chiao-tung University in 1970.

Chang is currently attending a seminar in San Jose, California, and was unavailable for comment.

An anonymous observer said the new CADF board members exclude all the former KMT members who previously held board positions. In addition, the source said CAL's competitor, EVA Air (長榮航空), has been blocked from gaining a board seat.

There had been speculation recently that EVA had sought to take control of CAL through the board, using its influence with President Chen.

EVA is widely rumored to have strong ties with the president, as its founder, Chang Yung-fa (張榮發), has been a long-time supporter of Chen and lobbied strongly for former Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) head Tsai Chao-yang (蔡兆陽) to be the next head of the CADF.

Both Yeh and Premier Tang Fei (唐飛) rejected the lobbying attempt, citing concerns over Tsai's controversial image. But Yeh said Tsai, who was forced to step down following a disastrous CAL crash in 1998, would still be invited to be a CADF board member given his experience as a MOTC minister.

Other new board members include lawyer Chang Cheng-hsiung (張政雄), financial management professor Chen Yueh-hsia (陳月霞), director of the Civil Aeronautics Administration Chang You-heng (張有恆), former Boeing engineer Kuo Ching-chiang (郭清江) and CAL legal affairs manager, Huang Chu-cheng (黃居正).

Yeh said Huang was invited to be CAL's representative in CADF as a fulfillment of the administration's promise to bring more democracy to the domestic airline industry.

CAL employee representatives have sought recently to capitalize on the timing of the board reshuffle to gain representation and have their voices heard.

"We hope that company employees can be represented both on the board of the foundation as well as in the company itself at the June election," said Lee Chao-ping (李昭平), chairman of the China Airlines Union (華航產業工會), at a hearing last Friday.

The youngest CADF board member, Huang is said to be a member of CAL's "Taiwan faction," known for its pro-DPP leanings.

The majority of CAL staff are strong supporters of the New Party and the recently formed People First Party.

"Current chairman Chiang Hung-yi (蔣洪彝) and president Sandy Liu (劉克涯) will be replaced in the near future to totally reform CAL's industry culture and management," MOTC officials said.