Despite the fact that he's not a die-hard pro-independence advocate, DPP lawmaker Chen Chung-hsin (
The move is widely seen as a gesture of goodwill toward China. Beijing has said it won't have any contact with the DPP unless the party alters its charter advocating independence for Taiwan.
Chen, an adherent to the "marching west" economic mantra, was one of 13 new appointees to receive posts within the DPP yesterday.
PHOTO: FANG PIN-CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
Downplaying his China views, Chen yesterday told reporters the party's China policies weren't likely to change significantly in the future.
"Since collective leadership is a well-established tradition within the party, it's impossible for me alone to change the party's China policy, which is a politically sensitive subject," Chen said.
Chang Chun-hsiung (
"His appointment has more to do with his expertise in Chinese affairs than with his faction affiliation," Chang said.
In addition to Chen Chung-hsin, freshman DPP lawmaker Duan Yi-kang (段宜康) also raised eyebrows yesterday after he declined the offer to become director of the party's youth development department.
Duan's office said a busy schedule prevented him from attending yesterday's press conference at which the new appointments were announced.
But sources said Duan refused to take the post because he's upset with the outgoing party chairman, Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), who had wanted the incumbent director of the youth development department, Juan Chao-hsiung (阮昭雄), to become the deputy director.
A close aide to Duan told the Taipei Times that the speculation wasn't too far from the truth. "But I don't think it's wise to say anything about it now," the aide said.
Speculation is rife that DPP lawmaker Chiou Yi-ying (
"But no one has ever contacted me about this matter," she said.
In addition to who will become director of the youth development department, the candidate to head the party's information survey center also remains unclear.
The other 13 appointees include incumbent Deputy Secretary-General Michael You (游盈隆), who will stay on at his post and supervise communications, policy and opinion polls.
Former Keelung mayor and two-term DPP lawmaker Lee Chin-yung (
Legislator Luo Wen-jia (
Female lawmaker Yeh Yi-jin (葉宜津) will head the women's development department and former speaker of the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council Peng Tien-fu (彭添富) will be appointed director of the ethnic affairs department.
Two-term lawmaker Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) will lead the social development department. Former director of the organizational development department Chang Yu-ren (張郁仁) will return to the post.
Chang's long-time assistant Chang Chih-chung (
Three-term DPP lawmaker Lin Cho-shui (
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