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.
DEFENSE: The first set of three NASAMS that were previously purchased is expected to be delivered by the end of this year and deployed near the capital, sources said Taiwan plans to procure 28 more sets of M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as nine additional sets of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), military sources said yesterday. Taiwan had previously purchased 29 HIMARS launchers from the US and received the first 11 last year. Once the planned purchases are completed and delivered, Taiwan would have 57 sets of HIMARS. The army has also increased the number of MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) purchased from 64 to 84, the sources added. Each HIMARS launch pod can carry six Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, capable of
Tropical Storm Podul strengthened into a typhoon at 8pm yesterday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said, with a sea warning to be issued late last night or early this morning. As of 8pm, the typhoon was 1,020km east of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost tip, moving west at 23kph. The storm carried maximum sustained winds of 119kph and gusts reaching 155kph, the CWA said. Based on the tropical storm’s trajectory, a land warning could be issued any time from midday today, it added. CWA forecaster Chang Chun-yao (張竣堯) said Podul is a fast-moving storm that is forecast to bring its heaviest rainfall and strongest
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