Premier Frank Hsieh (
Premier-designate Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and his team will take their oaths of office tomorrow.
Hsieh said that he would most regret not having a chance to file a request to the legislature to re-consider this year's budget proposal and that he did not have a chance to experience the result of the "co-existence" policy that he has been promoting ever since he took office last February.
PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES
He said that stepping down as premier does not mean the end of "co-existence."
"Although I am now leaving, it does not necessarily mean that this `co-existence' policy failed," he said.
"I will continue to dedicate myself to this country as a civilian," he said.
He stepped down last week to take responsibility for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) losses in last month's three-in-one local government elections.
Hsieh called a final Cabinet meeting yesterday morning, during which he gave a 15-minute long speech expressing his gratitude to his Cabinet members.
The last official document he signed was the resignation letter for himself and his Cabinet members.
Hsieh, however, did not forget to promote the achievements of his Cabinet, including the new labor insurance mechanism and the Alternative Minimum Taxation (
"I'm so glad that we maintained a perfect balance of steady and regular development of the economy, social justice and environmental protection," he said. "I think my fellow Cabinet members did a good job in reaching those goals."
He said that to examine oneself, one must bow first.
"When you bow, you will hear people's voices a lot clearer," he said. "Cold winter will end soon and warm spring will come after."
Although Hsieh said that he will continue to devote himself to the country by writing, delivering speeches and participating in social activities, Cabinet Secretary-General and Spokesman Cho Jung-tai (
Hsieh declined the offer.
"They [Presidential Office officials] were still calling me and asking whether the premier would accept the offer during the premier's speech in today's Cabinet meeting," Cho said. "Actually, the president first offered his invitation to the premier on Jan. 16. But the premier insisted on going his own way to serve the people."
As for the rumor that Cho would campaign for the year-end Taipei mayor's seat on behalf of the DPP, Cho was coy, saying that a rumor remains a rumor.
"I can only say that I will definitely vote instead of being voted upon," he said.
FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION: The UK would continue to reinforce ties with Taiwan ‘in a wide range of areas’ as a part of a ‘strong unofficial relationship,’ a paper said The UK plans to conduct more freedom of navigation operations in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. British Member of Parliament Desmond Swayne said that the Royal Navy’s HMS Spey had passed through the Taiwan Strait “in pursuit of vital international freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.” Swayne asked Lammy whether he agreed that it was “proper and lawful” to do so, and if the UK would continue to carry out similar operations. Lammy replied “yes” to both questions. The
‘OF COURSE A COUNTRY’: The president outlined that Taiwan has all the necessary features of a nation, including citizens, land, government and sovereignty President William Lai (賴清德) discussed the meaning of “nation” during a speech in New Taipei City last night, emphasizing that Taiwan is a country as he condemned China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758. The speech was the first in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. It is the responsibility of Taiwanese citizens to stand united to defend their national sovereignty, democracy, liberty, way of life and the future of the next generation, Lai said. This is the most important legacy the people of this era could pass on to future generations, he said. Lai went on to discuss
AMENDMENT: Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of high-temperature days, affecting economic productivity and public health, experts said The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is considering amending the Meteorological Act (氣象法) to classify “high temperatures” as “hazardous weather,” providing a legal basis for work or school closures due to extreme heat. CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen (呂國臣) yesterday said the agency plans to submit the proposed amendments to the Executive Yuan for review in the fourth quarter this year. The CWA has been monitoring high-temperature trends for an extended period, and the agency contributes scientific data to the recently established High Temperature Response Alliance led by the Ministry of Environment, Lu said. The data include temperature, humidity, radiation intensity and ambient wind,
SECOND SPEECH: All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist the CCP, despite their differences, the president said President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday discussed how pro-Taiwan and pro-Republic of China (ROC) groups can agree to maintain solidarity on the issue of protecting Taiwan and resisting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The talk, delivered last night at Taoyuan’s Hakka Youth Association, was the second in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. Citing Taiwanese democracy pioneer Chiang Wei-shui’s (蔣渭水) slogan that solidarity brings strength, Lai said it was a call for political parties to find consensus amid disagreements on behalf of bettering the nation. All political parties should work together to defend democracy, protect Taiwan and resist
RSS