The resignations of Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Pi-chao (林碧炤) and National Security Bureau (NSB) Director-General Yang Kuo-chiang (楊國強) were approved last night, Presidential Office spokesperson Alex Huang (黃重諺) said.
Retired Republic of China Air Force general Peng Sheng-chu (彭勝竹) was appointed to succeed Yang, while Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Jason Liu (劉建忻) is to act as head of the office until further notice, Huang said.
Lin and Yang had repeatedly asked to resign, Huang said, adding that after individual meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), their letters of resignation were approved, effective today.
Peng had served as a military attache at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US and is familiar with US affairs, Huang said, adding that Peng’s experience as head of the Military Intelligence Bureau in 2005 would be invaluable in heading the NSB.
Peng’s appointment took into consideration his experience in multiple fields — he served as both chief of staff and commander of the air force, and in 2009 was also appointed as a strategic adviser at the Presidential Office — which fulfilled all requirements for the reinforcement of national security, Huang said.
Tsai said she has high expectations for 66-year-old Peng, adding that he must rally morale at the NSB and make it an effective contributor to national security.
Tsai respected Lin’s decision to retire and focus on writing, Huang said, adding that the president was grateful for her friend’s assistance over the past five months.
Lin accepted the position in April, as he felt obligated to help oversee the smooth transition of government from the administration of former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to Tsai’s, Huang said, adding that Lin wanted to help the nation with the skills he had fostered.
Lin felt that he has fulfilled his purpose and should vacate the position for someone that would be of more use to the president, Huang said.
One of two tropical depressions that formed off Taiwan yesterday morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. The weather system is expected to move northwest as it builds momentum, possibly intensifying this weekend into a typhoon, which would be called Mitag, Lee said. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is forecast to approach the southeast of Taiwan on Monday next week and pass through the Bashi Channel
The number of Chinese spouses applying for dependent residency as well as long-term residency in Taiwan has decreased, the Mainland Affairs Council said yesterday, adding that the reduction of Chinese spouses staying or living in Taiwan is only one facet reflecting the general decrease in the number of people willing to get married in Taiwan. The number of Chinese spouses applying for dependent residency last year was 7,123, down by 2,931, or 29.15 percent, from the previous year. The same census showed that the number of Chinese spouses applying for long-term residency and receiving approval last year stood at 2,973, down 1,520,
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