Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Yu Shyi-kun yesterday said his party would not endorse Hong Chi-chang (
Hong, a former DPP legislator, formally took on the post as the quasi-official foundation's chairman on Thursday after the majority of the foundation's board members voted in support of Premier Chang Chun-hsiung's (
Foundation board member Lai I-chung (
When asked for comment, Yu said the party could not endorse Hong because "Hong's position [on cross-strait policies] is controversial."
Many groups working for de jure independence, as well as DPP grassroots supporters, had voiced their opposition to Hong taking up the position, Yu said.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union also opposed Hong's appointment because Hong supports loosening restrictions on investment in China.
"We did not have the chance to express our opinion prior to the appointment," Yu said, adding that the Cabinet failed to inform the party of this major reshuffle before or after Hong's appointment.
"Whether [the party] is informed or not before the reshuffle is one matter," Yu said. "But even after the decision had been made -- a major decision concerning cross-strait policies -- no one consulted us. Of course we did not have the opportunity to give our opinion or understand the rationale behind the decision."
The DPP expects Hong to elaborate on his stance on cross-strait affairs, Yu said.
Hong lost in the DPP's legislative primary in May after he was boycotted by a grassroots campaign launched by some 60,000 DPP supporters protesting his stance on cross-strait investment.
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