Tsai Ing-wen confirmed as Su deputy

Former Mainland Affairs Council chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will be the new vice premier, Premier-designate Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) confirmed yesterday, a move that is likely to maintain Taiwan's tough stance on China.

"It is confirmed that Tsai will serve as vice premier," Su told reporters yesterday. "She is a talented person well-versed in economic and financial affairs and cross-strait relations."

Tsai, who is a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator-at-large, has a doctorate from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is widely regarded as a cool strategist.

An articulate academic-turned-politician, Tsai is also known for her negotiating skills. She played a key role in talks that led to Taiwan's accession to the WTO in 2002.

Tsai can be expected to fill in major gaps for Su, who has keen political skills but little experience in international affairs or cross-strait relations.

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), the country's highest-ranking woman official, welcomed the announcement and urged 50-year-old Tsai "to be humble and understand the sufferings of the people."

Su, a former DPP chairman, was appointed premier by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Thursday in a bid to revive the government's flagging popularity.

Yesterday, Su said he would appoint Cabinet Deputy Secretary-General Liu Yu-shan (劉玉山) to the post of secretary-general in the new Cabinet.

Su also confirmed a number of personnel for Cabinet posts relating to economics and finance (see graphic).

Su will name other Cabinet members in a major reshuffle before his team is sworn in next week after Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) resigns with his Cabinet members on Monday.

Su yesterday said that "it is hard to calculate personnel arrangements mathematically," but that he was trying "to put the right people in the right places."

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