At a weekend "orientation" for the leadership of the new central government being held on Taipei's Yangmingshan (
Tang spoke softly, putting his hand on his chest throughout most of his address -- apparently trying to ease the pain from wounds that have yet to heal from his surgery last month.
In fact, Tang's presence at the meeting of the future Cabinet was only a short leave from the hospital, and his weakness was apparent.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Immediately after concluding his remarks, he returned to the hospital.
Tang, 68, underwent surgery on April 15 to remove a benign tumor from his chest, and had originally been dismissed from the hospital after a two-week recuperation. However, he has been back in his hospital bed since May 3, after his surgery wound became infected -- reportedly due to too much activity.
The weekend camp, held at the Bank of Taiwan Training Institute (
Lectures and seminars included subjects such as "present important policy issues," "law-making procedures," "personnel systems and practices" and "budgeting."
President-elect Chen Shui-bian (
"We will be on the road after the May 20 oath; there will be no time to hesitate and look back," Chen said, calling on new government members to work toward meeting the public's expectations.
He asked the new government to work under the supervision of the legislature, public opinion and the people.
He and Tang both stressed that teamwork, rather than individual performance, would be most important in governmental work.
Chen also said the new administration would govern with "confidence, hope and love."
"We shall take good care of the most disadvantaged among the disadvantaged," Chen said. "Those such as veteran servicemen and `old overseas Chinese' (
Incoming director of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission (OCAC) Chang Fu-mei (
Chang responded by saying she would be impartial.
However, the government training camp has by no means been strictly business. Recreational activities such as concerts and walks were also arranged yesterday. The activities were augmented with some unorthodox "community-building" exercises.
Members of the group were asked, for example, to hold their left ear with their right hand, then shake the left hand of at least 10 people, saying "very happy to see you; very glad to get to know you."
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