The Executive Yuan yesterday appointed Minister without Portfolio John Deng (鄧振中) as the new minister of economic affairs, replacing Woody Duh (杜紫軍), who is to serve as a minister without portfolio.
The latest changes come after the Cabinet, led by Premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺), resigned en masse on Monday following the ruling party’s landslide defeat in the nine-in-one elections last Saturday.
Deng has a solid background in both economics and international trade affairs, holding various positions under the administrations of President Ma Ying-jeou and former presidents Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) and Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) — including Bureau of Foreign Trade director, director of the Economic Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US and deputy representative to the WTO.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Deng also served as deputy minister of the Mainland Affairs Council in Chen’s administration, when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was the minister.
Deng has a big challenge ahead of him in revitalizing the nation’s economy, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER, 中華經濟研究院) president Wu Chung-shu (吳中書) said.
“Deng has to work on signing free-trade agreements with other countries and completing the development of the free economic pilot zones in Taiwan as soon as possible, especially when the Beijing-Seoul free trade pact takes effect in the first half of next year,” Wu told the Taipei Times by telephone.
Deng also has to step up the progress of cross-strait trade deals in services and goods, Wu said.
However, Deng is likely to face the same difficulties as his predecessor Duh did when pushing forward major economic bills in the legislature, especially the cross-strait trade pacts and a draft bill on the free economic pilot zones.
Duh has expressed frustration over his failure to garner lawmakers’ support for these bills.
A ministry official, who declined to be named, said that the harsh nature of the question-and-answer sessions at the legislature was another reason for Duh not staying on in his post.
In addition, strong public sentiment has cast doubt over the Ma administration’s China-related economic policies since the Sunflower movement protests earlier this year, which makes it even more difficult for Duh to promote the cross-strait trade pacts to the public.
In the run-up to last week’s elections, the government had been trying to impress on the public and opposition parties the importance of speeding up the ratification process of the cross-strait service trade agreement and the negotiations for a trade in goods pact with Beijing in the wake of a free-trade agreement between China and South Korea.
Following the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government’s worse-than-expected defeat in the elections, Deng needs to drum up support to proceed with the government’s economic policies.
Chen Tain-jy (陳添枝), economics professor at National Taiwan University and former chairman of the Council for Economic Planning and Development, is confident in Deng, citing the incoming minister’s economics expertise and his ability to negotiate.
“Deng served important positions in Chen’s administration, and he has diplomatic qualities and skills. I believe he will have no problem communicating with lawmakers regarding the cross-strait pacts,” Chen said. “He will also help the nation move forward with further trade talks with other countries.”
Deng yesterday told reporters that after he officially takes office, he aims to raise the competitiveness of local industries, expand overseas markets for local businesses and promote policies that take into account people’s livelihoods.
“Helping Taiwanese companies to expand into overseas markets is the most important thing,” Deng said, adding that signing free-trade agreements with other countries is one measure that would expand business opportunities for domestic companies.
The ministry has to explain the core values of the government’s policies to the public and to lawmakers with sincerity, Deng said.
“I am willing to listen and communicate,” he said.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of a farewell party for Duh held by the ministry yesterday, the outgoing minister said that a political appointee like him needs to consider leaving his post when the public does not support or agree with the administration’s course of action.
“I have served at the Ministry of Economic Affairs for three decades... If I still have not gained people’s support and faith, then it is better to let someone else regain the public’s support,” Duh said.
Former minister of economic affairs Chang Chia-juch (張家祝) said Duh should not have resigned.
“His determination to leave suggests that the stalled progress of major economic policies has affected the ministry’s morale,” Chang said.
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