Incoming minister of economic affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) is an apt choice to help form the nation’s economic policies amidst the challenges posed by US tariffs, the Executive Yuan said yesterday.
Kung, who came from Taiwan’s economic think tank sector, helped shape initiatives such as the “5+2 Innovative Industries Plan” and the “Asia Silicon Valley” project, giving him experience in both traditional and high-tech policy development.
Kung became vice president of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research in his 40s and was a key economic strategist for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
Known for his approachable style, Kung has been praised for explaining complex economic issues in plain language while addressing the concerns of vulnerable sectors.
President William Lai (賴清德) named Kung to the Cabinet’s top administrative post when he assumed office in May last year, citing his communication and coordination skills. Kung has since managed high-profile issues, including US tariffs and negotiations with legislative caucuses over the budget.
Among the issues facing Kung are new US tariffs, which took effect on Aug. 1 and set Taiwan’s rate at 20 percent, while talks continue amid an investigation under a Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. The policy is expected to reshape supply chains and accelerate industry realignments in the coming months.
Kung is expected to focus on strengthening Taiwan’s semiconductor sector while helping traditional industries weather the global downturn. His handling of Taiwan Power Co’s finances and energy supply would also be closely watched.
Two-time Olympic badminton champion Lee Yang (李洋), who is expected to become the nation’s first-ever minister of sports when the new ministry opens on Sept. 9, said his new journey would not affect his original intentions when he set foot on this path.
Lee said he was aware of the difficulties and hardships that athletes, coaches and the sports industry face.
“I want to use my experiences to effect tangible change, to promote sports policies that are more down-to-earth and address actual needs,” he said.
Lee said that the ministry would enact policies to promote sports among the public, pool resources and develop frameworks to support competitive sports, and increase the number of international competitions held in Taiwan, thereby fostering the growth of the sports industry and enhancing the capabilities of young people in sports.
Lee acknowledged his lack of experience in administration, but said that he was confident that with the right team and with professional leadership, the ministry could make dreams come true.
Lee also stated that he has reviewed all of his financial collaborations and ensured that what remains adheres to the regulations.
Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-ching (林宜敬), tapped to take over as minister of digital affairs, has a background in software engineering, founded the company MyET, which focuses on foreign language teaching through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), and has been a prolific writer.
Meanwhile, Taiwan AI Academy Foundation secretary general Isabel Hou (侯宜秀) would be appointed to the post of deputy minister left vacant by Lin, Lee said.
Lin and Hou’s expertise would help them plan for e-governance-related issues, including open data, open governance and new technologies, drafting related laws and regulations in response, Lee said.
With the Cabinet emphasizing AI in the reshuffle, the digital ministry is expected to work on Taiwan’s plan to become a key player in AI software.
The president’s focus on resilience in national defense is also likely to be a key focus for Lin and Chen, as the ministry is responsible for the country’s digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.
Another area Lin and Hou are set to work on is tackling fraudulent advertisements on social media platforms in Taiwan, after several banks stopped placing ads on the platforms late last year as part of a boycott to demand the introduction of real-name authentication.
Social welfare groups lauded the appointment of National Health Insurance Administration Director-General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) as incoming minister of health and welfare, urging the government to elevate government and organization collaborations to the level of “partners.
The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation urged the government to “end” the systemic flaws that serve to harbor sexual exploitation and to enact policies that would guarantee medical labor rights.
The Taiwan College of Healthcare Executive Chairman Hung Tzu-ren (洪子仁) said that Shih’s past performances in medical and public health domains showed pragmatic, professional and steady leadership qualities.
Hung in a statement lauded Shih’s familiarity with medical policies, the industry and the pressures faced by frontline personnel, as well as his determination in reforming medical insurance payment systems and medical resource distribution.
He hoped that Shih would tackle three challenges faced by Taiwan’s medical system: tariff impacts on drugs, health insurance reform and sustainability, and optimizing the working environment for medical professionals.
Meanwhile, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) expressed disappointment in the reshuffle, as the prominent proponents of the “great recall” have not stepped down, demonstrating that the government and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) remain unrepentant.
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