Premier-designate Lin Chuan (林全) yesterday filled out his future Cabinet, including three ministers to handle national defense, foreign affairs and cross-strait relations, in preparation for the handover of power on May 20.
David Lee (李大維), a seasoned diplomat who is currently the representative to Australia, is to take over the foreign affairs portfolio, Lin said.
Lee, 66, holds a doctorate in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. He has also served as the nation’s representative to the US, Canada and the EU.
Photo: CNA
Another experienced diplomat, Katharine Chang (張小月), 63, is to head the Mainland Affairs Council, the top government agency in charge of China policy, Lin said.
Chang is the chairperson of the Coordination Council for North American Affairs under the foreign ministry.
The Ministry of National Defense is to be headed by Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬), a former air force general and former chairman of Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC, 漢翔航空工業), Lin said.
Feng recently accompanied president-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on a visit to AIDC, during which she said the company would play a very important role in the country’s national defense industry.
AIDC would focus on the research and development of advanced trainer aircraft, Tsai said.
Feng’s appointment underscores Tsai’s determination to push for the nation’s self-reliance in the production of aircraft and warships.
Tsai also named two new members of her incoming administration, Lin Bih-jaw (林碧炤), who is to serve as the Presidential Office secretary-general, and Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), who is to take up the post of National Security Council secretary-general.
Lin Bih-jaw, 67, has a doctorate in international politics from the University of Wales.
He has served as vice president of National Chengchi University and deputy secretary-general of the Presidential Office and the National Security Council.
Wu, 61, who holds a doctorate in political science from Ohio State University, is a former representative to the US.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY: Taiwan shares the same values as those that fought in WWII, and nations must unite to halt the expansion of a new authoritarian bloc, Lai said The government yesterday held a commemoration ceremony for Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, joining the rest of the world for the first time to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Taiwan honoring V-E Day signifies “our growing connections with the international community,” President William Lai (賴清德) said at a reception in Taipei on the 80th anniversary of V-E Day. One of the major lessons of World War II is that “authoritarianism and aggression lead only to slaughter, tragedy and greater inequality,” Lai said. Even more importantly, the war also taught people that “those who cherish peace cannot
Taiwanese Olympic badminton men’s doubles gold medalist Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) and his new partner, Chiu Hsiang-chieh (邱相榤), clinched the men’s doubles title at the Yonex Taipei Open yesterday, becoming the second Taiwanese team to win a title in the tournament. Ranked 19th in the world, the Taiwanese duo defeated Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju of South Korea 21-18, 21-15 in a pulsating 43-minute final to clinch their first doubles title after teaming up last year. Wang, the men’s doubles gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, partnered with Chiu in August last year after the retirement of his teammate Lee Yang
The Philippines yesterday criticized a “high-risk” maneuver by a Chinese vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island, 黃岩島) in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies. The Scarborough Shoal — a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the contested South China Sea — has been a flash point between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Taiwan also claims the shoal. Monday’s encounter took place approximately 11.8 nautical miles (22km) southeast” of the Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine military said, during ongoing US-Philippine military exercises that Beijing has criticized as destabilizing. “The Chinese frigate BN 554 was
The number of births in Taiwan fell to an all-time monthly low last month, while the population declined for the 16th consecutive month, Ministry of the Interior data released on Friday showed. The number of newborns totaled 8,684, which is 704 births fewer than in March and the lowest monthly figure on record, the ministry said. That is equivalent to roughly one baby born every five minutes and an annual crude birthrate of 4.52 per 1,000 people, the ministry added. Meanwhile, 17,205 deaths were recorded, resulting in a natural population decrease of 8,521, the data showed. More people are also leaving Taiwan, with net
RSS