A partial ROC Cabinet reshuffle was announced Feb. 26 by Premier Jiang Yi-huah, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving organizational efficiency and streamlining administrative functions.
“The adjustments were made after detailed consultations with President Ma Ying-jeou,” Jiang said, adding that he expects the new lineup to fast-track implementation of key policies and advance the public’s well-being.
The premier named Minister without Portfolio Chang San-cheng the inaugural minister of science and technology, with his deputies Lin Yi-bing, deputy minister of National Science Council, Chien Chung-liang, deputy executive secretary of the Cabinet’s Board of Science and Technology, and Chen Ter-shing, chairman of the Cabinet’s Committee of Law and Regulation.
Jiang said he expects Chang to carry on the NSC’s tradition of cultivating a strong fundamental research capability, assisting academia to direct its resourceful creativity toward innovative entrepreneurship and enhancing the global competitiveness of local high-tech industries.
Cabinet Secretary-General Chen Wei-zen will replace Lee Hong-yuan as minister of the interior. Chen’s position will be filled by New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuang, while the departing Lee will resume his teaching post at National Taiwan University.
Wei Kuo-yen, a geosciences professor from Taipei City-based NTU, will take over Shen Shu-hung as minister of the Environmental Protection Administration. Wei will lead the transformation of the EPA into the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.
Other changes saw Deng Chen-chung, deputy secretary-general of National Security Council, succeed Chi Schive as minister without portfolio in charge of economic and financial policymaking, while Chiang Been-huang, a professor from NTU Institute of Food Science and Technology, will fill the spot left by Chang.
Jiang thanked members of the outgoing Cabinet for their hard work and contributions to the country, urging the new administration to do their best and strive for excellence.
The new Cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in March 3 in a ceremony at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (JSM)
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