Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) secretary-general King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) yesterday pledged to faithfully convey President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) US policies as the nation’s new representative to the US, dismissing challenges over his lack of experience in foreign affairs.
In an interview with UFO Network Radio, King said he had worked on party diplomacy as the head of the KMT’s international relations department when he first returned from overseas study in the US, and that as the envoy to the US, he would seek to strengthen communications with top US officials.
“Taiwan and the US need communications without any interference ... I am not the first choice, but I will work to eliminate unnecessary interference in US-Taiwan diplomacy. The criticism will be gone if we are able to present great achievements,” he said.
Photo: Taipei Times
Describing the political sphere as a “whirlpool,” King said he tried to leave the whirlpool in line with his pledge during the 2008 presidential campaign not to take up any post in the Ma administration. However, he said he finally agreed to take over as the US envoy to help implement Ma’s US policies.
“It’s a difficult time for the administration, and it’s why I agreed to return to the team. I am not passive. The Ma administration needs to find the rhythm and locate the problem ... I will fully cooperate with President Ma’s arrangements,” King said.
Often referred to as “King the Knife,” he is known for his sharp attacks on Ma’s political rivals and has developed a close working relationship with the president, helping Ma win every major election in his political career, from Taipei mayor in 1998 to the KMT chairmanship and the presidency in 2008.
However, his lack of experience in foreign affairs has prompted many to question the president’s decision.
King said his appointment and that of others, including Mainland Affairs Council chairman-designate Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦), were aimed at better implementing government policies, adding that the president would like to accomplish more and see more benefits for Taiwan during his second term in office.
Commenting on the timing of the personnel reshuffle in foreign and China affairs, King said that in spite of peaceful cross-strait relations, recent sovereignty disputes among China, Japan and South Korea had increased tensions in East Asia.
The government also aims to strengthen relations with the US, because it has an impact on the nation’s relations with Japan and South Korea, he said.
“The foreign affairs network is extremely sensitive at this time, and the government needs to have a full plan to implement policies and convey its message better,” he said.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official who declined to be named yesterday said the US government had welcomed King’s appointment.
American Institute in Taiwan spokesperson Mark Zimmer said he had not yet seen the US comment relayed by the ministry official.
“We just see the transition, but we look forward to continuing deepening the relationships with Taiwan,” Zimmer said.
Meanwhile, Representative to the EU David Lin (林永樂) is scheduled to return to the country next week to take up his new position as minister of foreign affairs. His deputy, Wang Wan-li (王萬里), will temporarily take over as acting representative.
The ministry said it had not yet determined who would succeed Lin.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
RETHINK? The defense ministry and Navy Command Headquarters could take over the indigenous submarine project and change its production timeline, a source said Admiral Huang Shu-kuang’s (黃曙光) resignation as head of the Indigenous Submarine Program and as a member of the National Security Council could affect the production of submarines, a source said yesterday. Huang in a statement last night said he had decided to resign due to national security concerns while expressing the hope that it would put a stop to political wrangling that only undermines the advancement of the nation’s defense capabilities. Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said that the admiral, her older brother, felt it was time for him to step down and that he had completed what he
Taiwan has experienced its most significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, data provided on Sunday by international higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) showed. Compared with last year’s edition of the rankings, which measure academic excellence and influence, Taiwanese universities made great improvements in the H Index metric, which evaluates research productivity and its impact, with a notable 30 percent increase overall, QS said. Taiwanese universities also made notable progress in the Citations per Paper metric, which measures the impact of research, achieving a 13 percent increase. Taiwanese universities gained 10 percent in Academic Reputation, but declined 18 percent
BULLY TACTICS: Beijing has continued its incursions into Taiwan’s airspace even as Xi Jinping talked about Taiwan being part of the Chinese family and nation China should stop its coercion of Taiwan and respect mainstream public opinion in Taiwan about sovereignty if its expression of goodwill is genuine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday. Ministry spokesman Jeff Liu (劉永健) made the comment in response to media queries about a meeting between former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) the previous day. Ma voiced support for the so-called “1992 consensus,” while Xi said that although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have “different systems,” this does not change the fact that they are “part of the same country,” and that “external
UNDER DISCUSSION: The combatant command would integrate fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups to defend waters closest to the coastline, a source said The military could establish a new combatant command as early as 2026, which would be tasked with defending Taiwan’s territorial waters 24 nautical miles (44.4km) from the nation’s coastline, a source familiar with the matter said yesterday. The new command, which would fall under the Naval Command Headquarters, would be led by a vice admiral and integrate existing fast attack boat and anti-ship missile groups, along with the Naval Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaissance Command, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous. It could be launched by 2026, but details are being discussed and no final timetable has been announced, the source