Only five months after becoming minister of education, Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村) has defused what has long been dubbed the "political landmine" sitting dormant at the ministry for years: The nation's official Mandarin Romanization system.
Huang accepted a decision made by the Mandarin Promotion Committee two weeks ago recommending the adoption of Tongyong Pinyin (通用拼音) over Hanyu Pinyin (漢語拼音), a system used in China.
TAIPEI TIMES FILE PHOTO
The issue had been debated for many years and is considered politically sensitive because of the divided views held by pro-unification and pro-independence groups.
"The controversy remained unsolved despite the efforts of former education ministers. Why drag it out any longer?" Huang said. "It's about time for an end to the dispute. I will assume any responsibility that may occur as a result."
Tongyong Pinyin is a product of a group of Taiwanese linguists in 1998. They claim the system preserves Taiwan's cultural sovereignty, corresponds to foreigners' spelling habits and accommodates sounds in Hoklo, Hakka and Aboriginal languages. The two systems are 85 percent similar.
In contrast to Ovid Tzeng (曾志朗), his predecessor who stepped down in February, Huang is viewed by analysts as "a savvy politician."
Tzeng was reportedly replaced during the Cabinet shake-up in February because of his pro-China ideology.
His preference for Hanyu Pinyin and a lack of understanding of administrative procedure in decision-making were said to be the reasons that cost him the post.
"With abundant experience as an administrator, Huang understands the significance of showing respect for administrative procedure. He knew the Mandarin Promotion Committee was the body responsible for the case, so he respected its recommendation," said Huang Yi-ching (黃以敬), an education reporter for the Liberty Times.
"The minister played down the political elements by stressing that he adopted the decision because it was approved by the commission. The explanation has prevented criticism, because nobody can challenge a decision reached through a democratic and legal procedure."
Tzeng caused relentless criticism because he called up the commission but refused to adopt its suggestion when the majority of its members voted in favor of Tongyong Pinyin.
To reduce opposition when implementing the policy nationwide, Huang said he would leave it to each local government to decide whether it will follow the policy.
Though many criticized Huang's announcement as an attempt to "court the opponents," the Liberty Times reporter disagreed. She said the move revealed the minister's political acumen.
"[The minister] understands that only by softening his stance will Pinyin users be willing to try to understand the system. And this should be the goal. Rushing to enforce [the Tongyong system on Pinyin] users is not a effective means."
How the professor-turned-minister managed to resolve this touchy political matter is just another example demonstrating his well-rounded personality.
Shrewd, sincere and soft-spoken are Huang's most distinctive characteristics, according to his friends.
With these traits he can practice "the art of avoiding confrontation."
"Huang is known for his mild attitude and firm standing. He never loses his temper when he disagrees with others. He will argue, but always in a gentle manner," said a Presidential Office official, who declined to be identified.
The official has known Huang since the "tangwai" era, when democracy activists came together in the 1980s to fight against the KMT administration prior to the DPP's founding.
Huang is also a psychologist and was a professor at National Taiwan University for 17 years until May 2000, when the DPP came to power.
A liberal scholar and social reformist, Huang was one of the few professors who were sympathetic to the "tangwai" dissidents and participated in battles against the KMT for more than two decades.
In the late 1980s when Taiwan was under martial law, Huang and his colleagues formed a reform group called the "professors alliance" on campus. In addition, he was one of the few professors to stand behind the student movement that rocked the nation in the early 1990s.
Huang was also the co-founder of the Taipei Society, a pressure group founded in 1989 by university professors and scholars from the Academia Sinica. He was once the head of the society.
Besides his deep involvement in educational reform, Huang was the former director of the humanities and social sciences division under the National Science Council and a former minister without portfolio in charge of 921 reconstruction projects in central Taiwan.
It is widely believed that Huang's close ties with the DPP and his pro-Taiwan ideology is why he got the job as education minister. The DPP administration believes the education minister's duty isn't limited to reform of school system -- such as the abolishment of the Joint College Entrance Examination. "What's even more vital is the shift from the Chinese-oriented education to one focused on Taiwan," according to Huang.
Huang's aides in the ministry praise him as efficient and easy to work with, but political commentators cautioned that Huang's casual manners, if not modified, will cause him unnecessary trouble.
Huang called an audience "stupid" while attending a call-in radio program to answer questions regarding the Pinyin controversy, a few days after the decision was made.
Without understanding the focal point of the arguments, the audience asked "how the minister could agree to use the Pinyin system to teach English."
"I decline to reply such a stupid question," Huang answered, quickly drawing fire.
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