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.
Beijing’s continued provocations in the Taiwan Strait reveal its intention to unilaterally change the “status quo” in the area, the US Department of State said on Saturday, calling for a peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) reported that four China Coast Guard patrol vessels entered restricted and prohibited waters near Kinmen County on Friday and again on Saturday. A State Department spokesperson said that Washington was aware of the incidents, and urged all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from unilaterally changing the “status quo.” “Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in line with our [the
EXTENDED RANGE: Hsiung Sheng missiles, 100 of which might be deployed by the end of the year, could reach Chinese command posts and airport runways, a source said A NT$16.9 billion (US$534.93 million) project to upgrade the military’s missile defense systems would be completed this year, allowing the deployment of at least 100 long-range Hsiung Sheng missiles and providing more deterrence against China, military sources said on Saturday. Hsiung Sheng missiles are an extended-range version of the Hsiung Feng IIE (HF-2E) surface-to-surface cruise missile, and are believed to have a range of up to 1,200km, which would allow them to hit targets well inside China. They went into mass production in 2022, the sources said. The project is part of a special budget for the Ministry of National Defense aimed at
READY TO WORK: Taiwan is eager to cooperate and is hopeful that like-minded states will continue to advocate for its inclusion in regional organizations, Lai said Maintaining the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, and peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region must be a top priority, president-elect William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday after meeting with a delegation of US academics. Leaders of the G7, US President Joe Biden and other international heads of state have voiced concerns about the situation in the Strait, as stability in the region is necessary for a safe, peaceful and prosperous world, Lai said. The vice president, who is to be inaugurated in May, welcomed the delegation and thanked them for their support for Taiwan and issues concerning the Strait. The international community
COOPERATION: Two crewmembers from a Chinese fishing boat that sank off Kinmen were rescued, two were found dead and another two were still missing at press time The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) was yesterday working with Chinese rescuers to find two missing crewmembers from a Chinese fishing boat that sank southwest of Kinmen County yesterday, killing two crew. The joint operation managed to rescue two of the boat’s six crewmembers, but two were already dead when they were pulled from the water, the agency said in a statement. Rescuers are still searching for two others from the Min Long Yu 61222, a boat registered in China’s Fujian Province that capsized and sank 1.03 nautical miles (1.9km) southwest of Dongding Island (東碇), it added. CGA Director-General Chou Mei-wu (周美伍) told a