Representative to Indonesia Andrew Hsia (夏立言) yesterday was named deputy minister of the Ministry of National Defense in charge of policy, drawing mix reactions from lawmakers.
At a question-and-answer session in the legislature, Premier Jiang Yi-hua (江宜樺) said that Hsia would be tasked with overseeing arms procurement policies, a position that has been vacant for about two months.
The position was left vacant on Aug. 1 when former vice minister of national defense Andrew Yang (楊念祖) was promoted after former minister of national defense Kao Hua-chu (高華柱) resigned over public outrage at the death of army corporal Hung Chung-chiu (洪仲丘), who died from alleged abuse. Yang resigned from his new post days later.
Photo: CNA
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chen Ken-te (陳根德) questioned Hsia’s qualifications for the job because of the “lack of professionalism” in defense-related affairs he showed as he fielded questions during the session.
Jiang said that the appointment was made after consultations with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the defense ministry.
Hsia has the expertise required for the position, which is similar to his predecessor’s, Jiang said.
Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明), who succeeded Yang, said he welcomed having more experienced diplomats in the ministry.
According to the Executive Yuan, Hsia will be the third civilian deputy defense minister under the Ma administration since May 2008, following Yang and Representative to Israel Chang Liang-jen (張良任).
KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) praised the appointment.
Hsia, previously stationed in New York, is fluent in English and experienced in dealing with the US government, while also possessing a broad knowledge of international politics, which qualifies him to be a deputy defense minister, the key person who communicates with the US about arms procurement policies, Lin said.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) said the appointment was “illogical” because Hsia lacked experience in handling defense-related affairs and was not well-acquainted with such issues.
There is no comparison between Yang and Hsia because Yang specialized in military strategy before he entered the ministry, Hsiao said.
Hsia resigned as deputy minister of foreign affairs in August 2009 after a cable sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructing foreign missions to decline all forms of foreign aid in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot was disclosed by a newspaper, sparking a public backlash.
Elsewhere, Vice Minister of Education Chen Te-hua (陳德華) is to succeed Deputy Minister of Education Chen Yi-hsing (陳益興), while Council of Indigenous Peoples Chief Secretary Chen Cheng-chia (陳成家) was appointed deputy minister of the council, the Executive Yuan said in a statement.
The Chinese military has built landing bridge ships designed to expand its amphibious options for a potential assault on Taiwan, but their combat effectiveness is limited due to their high vulnerability, a defense expert said in an analysis published on Monday. Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the deployment of such vessels as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s East Sea Fleet signals a strong focus on Taiwan. However, the ships are highly vulnerable to precision strikes, which means they could be destroyed before they achieve their intended
The Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) has funded short-term internships in Taiwan for more than 4,500 young people from more than 40 countries since 2015, with the goal of attracting and retaining international talent, the Ministry of Education said yesterday. Fifty-five colleges launched 514 projects this year, including in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, medicine and biotechnology, green energy, and sustainability, it said. The program provides research and practical internships in Taiwan for two to six months, and offers cultural exchange and networking opportunities, the ministry said. For example, National Formosa University’s Embedded System and Autopilot Laboratory developed two solar-powered drones in
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
Taipei resident Mu Chu-hua caught some glimpses of China’s mighty military parade on YouTube on Wednesday. As she watched hypersonic missiles roll down Beijing’s Changan Avenue and troops march in lockstep, she did not feel like they posed a threat to Taiwan. Mu, a 69-year-old retiree, said she saw the parade as simply a way for Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to “say thank you to the troops.” “I thought it was quite normal,” she said. “It was very cool.” China’s military parade commemorating the end of World War II was being watched internationally for insights into Beijing’s military advances and its show
RSS