The revamped Cabinet is to focus on the impactful enactment of government policies on the economy, artificial intelligence (AI) and national resilience, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday, as he formally unveiled the new appointments.
His remarks came a day after the administration announced the appointment of 16 new officials in a reshuffle of the government’s senior ranks, which President William Lai (賴清德) announced on Sunday evening, following resounding defeats in recall elections targeting opposition lawmakers.
The new Cabinet members are to assume their offices on Monday, except for the presumptive minister of sports, two-time badminton Olympic champion Lee Yang (李洋), and his two deputies, who would be inaugurated on Sept. 9 during the ministry’s launch, Cho said.
Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times
The appointees consist of experts in their fields and opinion leaders, who have been chosen to make the government more active and nimble, to achieve tangible policy results and respond to public opinion effectively, he said.
Minister of economic affairs-designate Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫), who is currently Executive Yuan secretary-general, is an accomplished expert and long-time adviser to Lai on economic matters, Cho said.
Kung is to be tasked with overseeing the technology industry, reviving small and medium-sized businesses, and building infrastructure for water, energy and other resources that are key to Taiwanese livelihood, he said.
Incoming National Development Council minister Yeh Chun-hsien (葉俊顯) is an expert in game theory and microeconomics, Cho said.
Kung and Yeh’s combined expertise would help the administration form a more consistent and coherent vision to guide the nation’s economic policy, he said.
Among the issues facing Kung are the new US tariffs, which took effect on Aug. 1 and set Taiwan’s rate at 20 percent, as talks continue under a Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act investigation.
Kung is expected to focus on bolstering 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.
Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Xavier Chang (張惇涵), who has many years of public service under his belt, would take over Kung’s post as Executive Yuan secretary-general, Cho said.
Chang’s experience with local postings and youthful vigor would improve the Cabinet’s ability to conduct business at a high tempo, coordinate policies with county and city governments, and implement reforms, he said.
Incoming minister of digital affairs Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬), who is currently a deputy minister, would be charged with combating Internet fraud, Cho said.
Cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) on Wednesday said that Lin, the founder and former CEO of software company L. Labs, has the expertise required for tackling the challenges posed by e-governance.
Lin and his would-be deputy Isabel Hou (侯宜秀), who is currently Taiwan AI Academy Foundation secretary-general, have hands-on experience in the AI industry, which Lai had emphasized as a priority in the Cabinet reshuffle, she said.
Lin and Hou are expected to be heavily involved in the Ministry of Digital Affairs’ ongoing efforts to bolster the nation’s digital infrastructure and enhance cybersecurity, as part of the government’s goal of bolstering whole-of-society resilience.
Cho said that Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) was tapped to head the ministry to facilitate a seamless transition, and for his proven administrative abilities.
Shih’s skills would help in maintaining public health, reforming the health insurance system and addressing a shortage in healthcare workers, Cho said.
Ming Chuan University vice president for international affairs Liu Kuo-wei (劉國偉) would be appointed as deputy minister of education and head government programs to train the workforce for the nation’s AI industry, he said.
Asked to respond to the opposition’s criticism that the appointments mainly affected deputy ministers instead of their superiors, Cho said the reshuffling is by no means minor.
No amount of adjustments could satisfy all critics, he said.
Cho said he has full confidence in the appointees and asked the public to give the government time to put its plans into action.
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