A partial ROC Cabinet reshuffle in the portfolios of defense, finance, indigenous peoples, overseas community, public construction and veteran affairs was announced July 29 by Premier Jiang Yi-huah.
“The changes are in line with public expectations,” Jiang said. “We believe that the adjusted Cabinet lineup can continue driving the government’s policy agenda and boosting the well-being of the people.”
Deputy Minister of National Defense Andrew N.D. Yang replaces incumbent Kao Hua-chu as minister. “Yang has promoted Taiwan’s military recruitment during his term; pushed for amendments to the Act of Military Service System and the Act of Military Service for Volunteer Enlisted Soldiers; and managed several arms sales such as upgrading the nation’s fleet of F-16A/B jet fighters,” Jiang said.
“Yang is the first MND minister without a military background since ROC President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008,” the premier added.
Chen Shyh-kwei, minister without portfolio in charge of social welfare-related issues, will take over from Wu Ying-yih as minister of Overseas Community Affairs Council. Joyce Yen Feng, a social work professor at National Taiwan University succeeds Chen.
Tung Hsiang-lung, chief of navy command HQ, is tapped to serve as minister of the Veterans Affairs Commission, while Deputy Minister of Finance Tseng Ming-chung takes over Chen Yuh-chang as minister of the Financial Supervisory Commission.
Lin Chiang-yi, deputy minister of the Council of Indigenous Peoples, succeeds Sun Ta-chuan as minister. Lin, also known as Mayaw Dongi, is from the indigenous Amis tribe.
In addition, Yan Jeou-rong, deputy minister of the Public Construction Commission, replaces Chern Jenn-chuan as PCC minister.
The new Cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in Aug. 1. (KML-JSM)
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