Premier Yu Shyi-kun said yesterday the newly appointed Cabinet would continue to push for reforms and realize the policy goals set down by President Chen Shui-bian (
"The ruling party of France suffered a dramatic setback during a regional election in late March due to French President Jacques Chirac's failing to push for reforms," Yu said. "Although we may run into many obstacles down the road of reform, we cannot let the people down and should continue down the path."
Yu made the remark during the swearing-in ceremony for Cabinet officials at the Executive Yuan yesterday afternoon. Yu was sworn in to continue as premier following Chen's inauguration yesterday morning.
Yu sobbed when commenting on the departure of outgoing Cabinet colleagues and expressed his gratitude for their work.
He said he hoped the new Cabinet would do its best to create a brighter future for the country and build on the foundation laid down by its predecessors.
"Building the country is like running a relay race. Once you're on the mark, you're set to race with time and there's little time to stop to take a breath," Yu said. "Even though the weight of the baton might be more than we can bear, we'll adhere to the pioneering spirit of our ancestors to make this small island play a more pivotal role in the Pacific Rim."
The mission of the new Cabinet, Yu said, is to lead the nation in braving the next wave of challenges and putting into practice the policy goals set down by Chen, which include stabilizing cross-strait relations, promoting stability in society and creating a prosperous economy.
Yu also pledged to right the wrongs committed during the 50-year reign of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).
"We'll exert ourselves to create a better life for the people and give them back the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, including dignity, fairness, justice, prosperity, quality, security and peace," Yu said.
Without the transfer of power in 2000, he said, the entanglement of party and state could not have been ended and the mistakes made over the past 50 years could not have been corrected.
Yu said the transfer of power paved the way for an independent judicial system and has allowed for progress in fighting "black gold" politics and vote-buying.
The change of ruling party also allowed a consensus to be reached on creating a "nuclear-free homeland" and an endorsement of sustainable development, according to the premier.
Although the road to democracy was bumpy, Yu said, the nation's democratic development has proven to be a success story under the leadership of Chen and thanks to the efforts of the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Later yesterday afternoon, Yu visited the leaders of the four other government branches.
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