Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) yesterday appointed Minister Without Portfolio Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) as the Executive Yuan’s new spokesman, a position that had been vacant for nearly three months after former spokesman Ting Yi-ming (丁怡銘) stepped down amid controversy.
Ting resigned in November last year after sparking an uproar over his claim that an award-winning beef noodle store in Taipei was serving pork containing ractopamine — an allegation that proved to be false.
Earlier that same month, media reports said that Ting’s office had produced online propaganda to attack opposition parties.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
Su has high hopes that Lo, a renowned lawyer, would be able to unite the various ministries’ spokespersons to deliver a clear and concise message, as well as help simplify and explain legal matters to the public, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) told a news conference after a regular Cabinet meeting in Taipei.
Lo’s ability to deliver government policies clearly and his professional skills make him exceptionally qualified for the position, and his appointment would help the Executive Yuan communicate its policies to the public, Democratic Progressive Party caucus secretary-general Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政) said.
A Cabinet spokesperson represents the government and is responsible for delivering its policies to the public, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said.
Many have left the post, either because they were forced to quit or left of their own volition, because they failed to be effective communicators of government policy, triggering a public backlash, he said.
While congratulating Lo Ping-cheng on his appointment, Chiang said he should work on implementing what President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has pledged to do — facilitate negotiation between the government and the public, especially on issues such as the import of pork containing ractopamine residue.
Taiwan People’s Party caucus deputy convener Ann Kao (高虹安) said that with his background in law and as a staunch supporter of human rights, Lo Ping-cheng was a good choice to help bridge communication between the Executive Yuan and the Legislative Yuan on constitutional amendments and human rights issues.
However, he should also bear in mind the circumstances that led to his appointment as spokesman, she said, adding that he and his staff should strive to be politically neutral and avoid attacking the opposition.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS