Taipei County Commissioner Su Tseng-chang (
The source said Chiou will replace Kang Ning-hsiang (
The source told the Taipei Times yesterday that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Parris Chang (張旭成) will be invited to serve as NSC deputy secretary-general, while DPP Legislator Chen Chung-hsin (陳忠信), who is also the head of the DPP's Mainland Affairs Department, will be a senior adviser to the NSC.
"The entire arrangement was finalized on Monday night," the aide said.
"Su, who was the DPP's campaign manager for the presidential election, has demonstrated extraordinary achievements as a local government head as well as displayed talent in party affairs; therefore, the president wants to promote Su," the aide said.
Su and Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) are seen as strong contenders to represent the DPP in the 2008 presidential election.
The president also invited DPP Legislator Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to replace Chen Che-nan (陳哲男) as deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office.
"Due to the Cabinet reshuffle and the reorganization of Presidential Office personnel, the president asked Chiou, Chen's right-hand man and the DPP's top strategist, to return to the NSC to coordinate these new ministers and high-ranking officials on cross-strait issues and foreign affairs," the aide said.
According to the source, Chang will succeed Antonio Chiang (
Another Presidential Office deputy secretary-general, Joseph Wu (
RESPONSE: The transit sends a message that China’s alignment with other countries would not deter the West from defending freedom of navigation, an academic said Canadian frigate the Ville de Quebec and Australian guided-missile destroyer the Brisbane transited the Taiwan Strait yesterday morning, the first time the two nations have conducted a joint freedom of navigation operation. The Canadian and Australian militaries did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Ministry of National Defense declined to confirm the passage, saying only that Taiwan’s armed forces had deployed surveillance and reconnaissance assets, along with warships and combat aircraft, to safeguard security across the Strait. The two vessels were observed transiting northward along the eastern side of the Taiwan Strait’s median line, with Japan being their most likely destination,
GLOBAL ISSUE: If China annexes Taiwan, ‘it will not stop its expansion there, as it only becomes stronger and has more force to expand further,’ the president said China’s military and diplomatic expansion is not a sole issue for Taiwan, but one that risks world peace, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday, adding that Taiwan would stand with the alliance of democratic countries to preserve peace through deterrence. Lai made the remark in an exclusive interview with the Chinese-language Liberty Times (sister paper of the Taipei Times). “China is strategically pushing forward to change the international order,” Lai said, adding that China established the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, launched the Belt and Road Initiative, and pushed for yuan internationalization, because it wants to replace the democratic rules-based international
RELEASED: Ko emerged from a courthouse before about 700 supporters, describing his year in custody as a period of ‘suffering’ and vowed to ‘not surrender’ Former Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was released on NT$70 million (US$2.29 million) bail yesterday, bringing an end to his year-long incommunicado detention as he awaits trial on corruption charges. Under the conditions set by the Taipei District Court on Friday, Ko must remain at a registered address, wear a GPS-enabled ankle monitor and is prohibited from leaving the country. He is also barred from contacting codefendants or witnesses. After Ko’s wife, Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), posted bail, Ko was transported from the Taipei Detention Center to the Taipei District Court at 12:20pm, where he was fitted with the tracking
The National Development Council (NDC) yesterday unveiled details of new regulations that ease restrictions on foreigners working or living in Taiwan, as part of a bid to attract skilled workers from abroad. The regulations, which could go into effect in the first quarter of next year, stem from amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) passed by lawmakers on Aug. 29. Students categorized as “overseas compatriots” would be allowed to stay and work in Taiwan in the two years after their graduation without obtaining additional permits, doing away with the evaluation process that is currently required,