Mon, Mar 14, 2005 page3

• Service to Hsieh boosts new GIO boss' career

  AMBITIOUS The Hsinchu-born Yao Wen-chih has set himself a goal of reviving the nation's movie-making industry, but has kept mum on other possible projects

  • By Jimmy Chuang / STAFF REPORTER
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  Former TTV Culture Co's general manager Yao Wen-chih (姚文智) will officially take the post of minister of the Government Information Office (GIO) today.

  Prior to being tapped for the Cabinet post, Yao was also the head of Indigenous TV -- one of TTV's subsidiaries, which is slated to be launched on July 1.

  "I am quite proud of the establishment of the new TV station for my fellow Aboriginal people and I will keep working hard for them even after I leave the station," Yao said.

  

  Forty-year old Yao Wen-chih becomes minister of the Government Information office today, succeeding Lin Chia-lung.

  PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES

  To encourage his fellow employees at the station, Yao said that he urged everybody to name themselves in an Aboriginal language. He calls himself "Pasuya."

  "`Pasuya' is a name from the Tsou tribe (鄒族). It means a brave warrior,'" Yao said. "I like the name very much, so I officially made it my English name as well."

  The Tsou tribe is one of 12 indigenous tribes with a population of approximately 7,000. Most Tsou people live in Alishan, Chiayi County's most famous scenic attraction, Kaohsiung County and Nantou County.

  During his first meeting with reporters at the GIO on Wednesday, Yao said that his first priority at the GIO will be to gather more resources and contribute them to the nation's movie industry.

  "It is still early for me to give any details of my `plans' since I have not officially begun to work here. But, re-igniting Taiwan's movie industry is definitely my priority," Yao said.

  He said approximately 20 movies are made per year here.

  "One hundred movies a year will be my goal for now. But that will require a lot of work, for sure," Yao said.

  Not everyone has been happy with Yao's appointment. On Friday, People First Party (PFP) Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅) criticized Yao while questioning Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) at the legislature.

  "It is my understanding that Yao stepped down as the deputy secretary-general of the Kaohsiung City Government because he allegedly accepted bribes from local businessmen," Chiu said. "Is this the person you chose to be your new GIO minister?"

  However, Hsieh fully endorsed Yao, saying he was the right person for the post.

  The premier said that Yao left the city government because he was planning to study abroad. He said the alleged bribery case had been investigated and Yao's innocence confirmed.

  "Yao has been working with me for years and he knows me well. With his background and work experience, I think he is the perfect choice for the GIO post," Hsieh told Chiu.

  Born on Dec. 4, 1965 in Hsinchu, Yao is no stranger to journalism and politics because he has devoted himself to both professions since he graduated from college in 1988.

  Yao holds a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Fu-jen Catholic University and a masters in politics from National Chengchi University, which he received in 1993.

  In 1989, Yao began his first job as a reporter for the Liberty Times (the Taipei Times' sister newspaper). After 12 months, he took a sabbatical and then returned to the newspaper as a copy editor in 1992 and stayed for another two years.

  In 1994, Yao decided to help Hsieh, who was then a DPP lawmaker, by working for him as a legislative aide. That was the beginning of their working relationship, which is believed to be the prime reason behind his getting the GIO job.

  One year later, the DPP chose Peng Ming-min (彭明敏) as its presidential candidate, with Hsieh as the vice presidential candidate in the 1996 election. Yao served as press secretary for the campaign.

  After the election loss, Hsieh continued his legislative career and Yao worked as Hsieh's chief aide in his Kaohsiung office until 1998.

  Hsieh became Kaohsiung mayor in 1998 and Yao became spokesman for the Kaohsiung City Government, a job he held until 2000, when he was promoted to be deputy secretary-general of the city government.

  In 2003, Yao left the Kaohsiung City Government with the plan to pursue a doctorate degree abroad. However, he ended up joining the TTV as a general manager for its Culture Co last year.
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