Su Chin-chiang takes over as chairman of the TSU

Su Chin-chiang, right, the new chairman of the TSU, walks with TSU caucus whip Huang Tsung-yuan, left, who served as acting party chairman, after the official transfer of responsibilities. PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES

Su Chin-chiang (蘇進強), secretary-general of the National Cultural Association (文化總會), yesterday officially took over the chairmanship of the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) after the party's central executive committee passed a resolution confirming him without any objections.

However, some critics, such as TSU Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) and legislator-at-large Kuo Lin-yung (郭林勇) were both dissatisfied that Su was unofficially promised the chairmanship by former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), and announced last week that they would try to contend for the post.

But they quickly dropped out of the running after Lee dissuaded them.

TSU caucus whip Legislator Huang Tsung-yuan (黃宗源) who served as acting chairman after former chairman Huang Chu-wen (黃主文) resigned from his office last month because of the TSU's unsatisfactory performance in the legislative elections, yesterday handed over his office to Su.

Su said that he appreciated Lee's support and he will hold the "line of Lee Teng-hui," which sides with the Taiwanese people and always bears Taiwan's interests in mind.

"The TSU will continue to follow former president Lee's path and endeavors to make Taiwan become a normal nation -- a humanistic nation that is free from China's military threats and can develop peacefully," Su said.

Su also said that the most urgent matter for the TSU now was to speed up reform and recruit more new blood and a younger generation of supporters for the party.

"The TSU will also have to enhance its concern about minority groups," Su added.

In response to criticism from some TSU members, Su said that he is willing to engage in self-examination and humbly accept others' advice.

"What we do is for the sake of Taiwan, after all," Su said.