The guiding principles behind premier-designate Su Tseng-chang’s (蘇貞昌) Cabinet would be “immediately capable, in touch with the public, communicate well and promote young politicians,” Executive Yuan spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka said yesterday.
Kolas made the remarks at a news conference with incoming Executive Yuan secretary-general Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) to announce the new Cabinet lineup.
Kolas would remain in her position, as Su has asked her to stay, she added.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Several key ministers would stay on in their current roles, incoming Executive Yuan secretary-general Li said.
Minister of Science and Technology Chen Liang-gee (陳良基), Minister of Culture Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) and Minister of Labor Hsu Ming-chun (許銘春) would all stay in their posts, while Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠) would return to his previous post as minister of education, Li said.
Five new ministers would be appointed, while two other positions — the elected National Palace Museum director and the Ocean Affairs Council committee chairperson — would need to be filled, he said.
Su felt that the key ministers were capable in their roles and that by keeping them on they could effectively push forward government policy as quickly as possible, Li said.
Chen performed exceedingly well as minister of science and technology, and many in the industry called for him to stay on, Li said, adding that Chen agreed to remain in the post after Su spoke with him about it.
Pan maintained good communication with the Legislative Yuan when he held the post and it was decided that his return would have a positive effect on the Ministry of Education, Li said.
Su is to be sworn into office today and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has said that while it is confident that the general direction of government policy would remain the same, communication between government departments must be improved.
Su is to focus on maintaining stability and effectively responding to public opinion, Li said.
DPP caucus director-general Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) said that the party’s losses in the Nov. 24 local elections was the main reason for the Cabinet reshuffle.
The party is aiming to regain public confidence swiftly, he said.
The new Cabinet would prioritize the “livelihood of the people, protection of democracy and defense of the nation’s sovereignty,” as expressed by President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Li said.
DPP Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) expressed reservations about the Cabinet reshuffle, saying that the minor changes would be interpreted by the public as a lack of sincerity on the part of the DPP.
The DPP should put more “new generation” politicians in key posts to create a sense of “fresh change” and hope in the party, he said.
LONG FLIGHT: The jets would be flown by US pilots, with Taiwanese copilots in the two-seat F-16D variant to help familiarize them with the aircraft, the source said The US is expected to fly 10 Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70/72 jets to Taiwan over the coming months to fulfill a long-awaited order of 66 aircraft, a defense official said yesterday. Word that the first batch of the jets would be delivered soon was welcome news to Taiwan, which has become concerned about delays in the delivery of US arms amid rising military tensions with China. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said the initial tranche of the nation’s F-16s are rolling off assembly lines in the US and would be flown under their own power to Taiwan by way
OBJECTS AT SEA: Satellites with synthetic-aperture radar could aid in the detection of small Chinese boats attempting to illegally enter Taiwan, the space agency head said Taiwan aims to send the nation’s first low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite into space in 2027, while the first Formosat-8 and Formosat-9 spacecraft are to be launched in October and 2028 respectively, the National Science and Technology Council said yesterday. The council laid out its space development plan in a report reviewed by members of the legislature’s Education and Culture Committee. Six LEO satellites would be produced in the initial phase, with the first one, the B5G-1A, scheduled to be launched in 2027, the council said in the report. Regarding the second satellite, the B5G-1B, the government plans to work with private contractors
‘OF COURSE A COUNTRY’: The president outlined that Taiwan has all the necessary features of a nation, including citizens, land, government and sovereignty President William Lai (賴清德) discussed the meaning of “nation” during a speech in New Taipei City last night, emphasizing that Taiwan is a country as he condemned China’s misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758. The speech was the first in a series of 10 that Lai is scheduled to give across Taiwan. It is the responsibility of Taiwanese citizens to stand united to defend their national sovereignty, democracy, liberty, way of life and the future of the next generation, Lai said. This is the most important legacy the people of this era could pass on to future generations, he said. Lai went on to discuss
MISSION: The Indo-Pacific region is ‘the priority theater,’ where the task of deterrence extends across the entire region, including Taiwan, the US Pacific Fleet commander said The US Navy’s “mission of deterrence” in the Indo-Pacific theater applies to Taiwan, Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler told the South China Sea Conference on Tuesday. The conference, organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), is an international platform for senior officials and experts from countries with security interests in the region. “The Pacific Fleet’s mission is to deter aggression across the Western Pacific, together with our allies and partners, and to prevail in combat if necessary, Koehler said in the event’s keynote speech. “That mission of deterrence applies regionwide — including the South China Sea and Taiwan,” he