The Cabinet led by Premier Lin Chuan (林全) had its first weekly meeting yesterday, with Lin saying that there will be no “adjustment period” for the government, which is expected to push for various reforms.
The Cabinet meeting was the first since President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was sworn in with the new administration on Friday last week, when Lin said he hopes that the Cabinet will be a disciplined team that would show its esprit de corps with professionalism and resolve.
Lin said that he hopes the Cabinet could make major changes in a short period of time in a bid to re-establish the public’s trust in the government, adding that he has three demands and three expectations.
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
“First, the making of the government’s public policies must be a process that allows sufficient communication with the public; every policy’s starting point should be the public’s needs, expectations and dignity,” Lin said.
The second demand was to set priorities so that policies would be implemented with efficiency, as the government’s resources are limited, he said.
“The administration aims for the nation’s sustainable development based on the idea of ‘people first’ and three core values of ‘innovation, employment and fair distribution,’” Lin said, adding that the third demand would be effective “cross-ministerial integration” when planning and carrying out policies to make sure the principles are met.
The three expectations would re-establish people’s trust in the government, set up an example of an honest officialdom that is discreet in using power and in its behaviors and remarks, and to cherish the opportunity to work for the public and the nation, he said.
Lin reiterated Tsai’s remarks about humility when the Democratic Progressive Party won the elections on Jan. 16, calling on Cabinet members to remain humble.
The Cabinet meeting was attended by five of the six special municipality mayors — Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsang (鄭文燦), Taichung Mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), Tainan Mayor William Lai (賴清德) and Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊).
New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) continued his past practice of sending New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chen Shen-hsien (陳伸賢) to attend in his place.
Chinese spouse and influencer Guan Guan’s (關關) residency permit has been revoked for repeatedly posting pro-China videos that threaten national security, the National Immigration Agency confirmed today. Guan Guan has said many controversial statements in her videos posted to Douyin (抖音), including “the red flag will soon be painted all over Taiwan” and “Taiwan is an inseparable part of China,” and expressing hope for expedited reunification. The agency last year received multiple reports alleging that Guan Guan had advocated for armed reunification. After verifying the reports, the agency last month issued a notice requiring her to appear and explain her actions. Guan
GIVE AND TAKE: Blood demand continues to rise each year, while fewer young donors are available due to the nation’s falling birthrate, a doctor said Blood donors can redeem points earned from donations to obtain limited edition Formosan black bear travel mugs, the Kaohsiung Blood Center said yesterday, as it announced a goal of stocking 20,000 units of blood prior to the Lunar New Year. The last month of the lunar year is National Blood Donation Month, when local centers seek to stockpile blood for use during the Lunar New Year holiday. The blood demand in southern Taiwan — including Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Taitung counties — is about 2,000 units per day, the center said. The donation campaign aims to boost
The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau audited six hotels in an effort to prevent price gouging ahead of Korean band BTS’ concert tour in the city scheduled for Nov. 19, 21 and 22 this year. The bureau on Friday said that the audits — conducted in response to allegations of unfair pricing posted on social media — found no wrongdoing. These establishments included the local branches of Chateau de Chine, Hotel Nikko, My Humble House, and Grand Hai Lai, it said, adding that the Consumer Protection Commission would have penalized price gougers had the accusations been substantiated. The bureau said the Tourism Development Act
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said a magnitude 4.9 earthquake that struck off the coast of eastern Taiwan yesterday was an independent event and part of a stress-adjustment process. The earthquake occurred at 4:47pm, with its epicenter at sea about 45.4km south of Yilan County Hall at a depth of 5.9km, the CWA said. The quake's intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in several townships in Yilan and neighboring Hualien County, where it measured 4 on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale, the CWA said. Lin Po-yu (林柏佑), a division chief at the CWA's Seismological Center, told a news conference
RSS