Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) was named premier yesterday by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) for the second time.
Praising Chang's experience in cross-strait issues, Chen said that he would depend on Chang to complete negotiations with Beijing as soon as possible on allowing Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan and on cargo charter plane services. He also wants Chang to negotiate with Beijing over its Olympic Games torch relay route.
The government has rejected Beijing's proposal for the torch to arrive in Taiwan from Vietnam and then travel to Hong Kong. Taipei insists the torch must enter and leave Taiwan via a third country.
Chen said the fundamental principle of the government's cross-strait policy is "steadfast position, practical approach" while that of cross-strait economic policy is "active management, effective opening."
He set down five principles for Chang's new government: insist on Taiwan-centered consciousness and realize social justice; strike a balance between environmental protection and economic development; eliminate corrupt practices and push for reform; take care of the central and southern regions, middle and lower classes and small and medium-sized businesses; and humbly govern and unite Taiwan.
Likening politics to a baseball game, Chen said that what is fascinating about baseball is that nobody knows what will happen until the very last minute and the tide can be turned even at the bottom of the ninth inning.
"During the remainder of my term, I believe we stand a good chance of turning the tide and winning the [2008 presidential] election if we make good use of the time and work with all our heart as never before," he said.
Chang, meanwhile, hailed Premier Su Tseng-chang (
He visited Su before going to the Presidential Office yesterday morning.
Chang used the 1918 play Abraham Lincoln by English poet and dramatist John Drinkwater to explain his state of mind yesterday.
He said that his feelings were similar to those of Lincoln when the US politician knelt beside a wall map of the US after accepting the invitation to become the Republican Party's candidate for president.
He said he would work hard to make breakthroughs.
Chang, who served as premier from late 2000 to mid-2002, said that during that time he had seen first hand the level of animosity among political parties.
Calling on politicians to respond to the desires and needs of the people, Chang said that he would lead the new Cabinet under the motto: "Cooperation is better than opposition, building a nest is better than building a wall."
"It is very important for political parties to listen to the voice of the people," he said.
"I believe the public would like to see political parties stop bickering and engage in healthy competition. They want to see a more peaceful society and more stable politics," he said.
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