President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday pledged to launch more reforms during his second term in office and called for everyone to work together to transform the nation in the face of new challenges.
In his first weekly online speech following the Lunar New Year holiday, Ma said the new Cabinet would start to tackle key social, political and economic issues after it is sworn in tomorrow.
“There are many problems that require us to be more resolute in our promotion of reform. We will strive to adopt policies that prevent deep social divisions and allow the people to feel the existence of social justice,” he said.
Ma on Tuesday appointed Vice Premier Sean Chen (陳冲) to take over as premier, and the new Cabinet, will assume office tomorrow.
Priority issues to be addressed by the Cabinet include the nation’s economic performance amid the eurozone debt crisis, tax reform and US beef imports.
Ma also promised to continue working to promote cross-strait peace while seeking to expand the country’s international space.
Ma said the public expected more reforms from the government and promised to bear in mind public expectations.
In his second and final term, Ma said he would meet with opposition party leaders to exchange ideas on major policies on a regular basis, and meet with civic groups every month to discuss issues of concern.
“I will listen to what the people have to say and seek to understand their needs. I will lead the new Cabinet to ensure stability is maintained and the economy revived,” he said.
Ma has been meeting with new Cabinet members this week to discuss major policies.
Presidential Office Spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi (范姜泰基) said the president’s meetings with Cabinet officials would last until this week.
The discussions on major policy proposals will hopefully enhance communications between the Presidential Office and the Cabinet and facilitate the smooth implementation of policies under the new Cabinet, he said.
Actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) has “returned home” to Taiwan, and there are no plans to hold a funeral for the TV star who died in Japan from influenza- induced pneumonia, her family said in a statement Wednesday night. The statement was released after local media outlets reported that Barbie Hsu’s ashes were brought back Taiwan on board a private jet, which arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. To the reporters waiting at the airport, the statement issued by the family read “(we) appreciate friends working in the media for waiting in the cold weather.” “She has safely returned home.
Twenty-four Republican members of the US House of Representatives yesterday introduced a concurrent resolution calling on the US government to abolish the “one China” policy and restore formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Led by US representatives Tom Tiffany and Scott Perry, the resolution calls for not only re-establishing formal relations, but also urges the US Trade Representative to negotiate a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Taiwan and for US officials to advocate for Taiwan’s full membership in the UN and other international organizations. In a news release announcing the resolution, Tiffany, who represents a Wisconsin district, called the “one China” policy “outdated, counterproductive
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