Using the criteria of "integrity, competence and experience," Liu explained he had selected his team in consultation with president-elect Ma Ying-jeou. "People have great expectations of the new government. We have to rely on experienced officials because there is no room for new Cabinet members to learn how to handle administrative affairs," he said.
Designated vice premier, Paul Cheng-hsiung Chiu--a former finance minister, ex-Central Bank deputy governor and current honorary chairman of Entie Commercial Bank Ltd.--said the new administration will focus on improving the economy, while allowing market mechanisms to take effect. Liu described Chiu as "the ideal candidate" to serve as his deputy and would rely on him to make Taiwan's financial sector more vigorous and efficient.
Among the 16 other designates, five members of the new Cabinet were deputy ministers in the KMT administration prior to the Democratic Progressive Party taking office in 2000.
These include, Steve Hsieh (Secretary-General, Executive Yuan); Tsai Hsung-hsiung (Minister without Portfolio); Yiin Chii-ming (Minister of Economic Affairs); Mao Chi-kuo (Minister of Transportation and Communications), and Chen Wu-hsiung (Minister, Council of Agriculture).
The remaining 11 heads of ministry and Cabinet-level agencies boast various professional backgrounds and experiences: Chu Yun-peng (Minister without Portfolio); Liao Feng-te (Minister of the Interior); Francisco Ou (Minister of Foreign Affairs); Wang Ching-feng (Minister of Justice); Shih Su-mei (Minister, Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics); Lin Fang-yue (Minister, Department of Health); Shen Shu-hung (Minister, Environmental Protection Administration); Chen Tain-jy (Minister, Council for Economic Planning and Development); Wang Yu-ting (Minister, National Youth Commission); Wang Ju-hsuan (Minister, Council of Labor Affairs); Chang Jen-hsiang (Minister, Council of Indigenous Peoples).
According to political scientist Yang Tai-shuen of Taipei's Chinese Culture University, the ministers in the new Cabinet are expected to "hit the ground running" and are more than capable of pushing forward trade liberalization with China, a complex task that will require revising numerous laws and decrees. "They may be more conservative and less innovative than the current appointees, but should be able to execute economic policies without delay," Yang said.
DPP Chairman Frank Hsieh said he hoped to see the "old faces" in the incoming Cabinet come up with new ways of doing things. "We will monitor their performance closely," he said. "The KMT should know how they lost power eight years ago and how they will lose power again if they did not learn their lessons."
Lawmakers within the DPP are hoping the history does not repeat, warning that the type of experience Liu's choices could bring may lead to a revisiting of past economic problems.
DPP legislative caucus leader Lai Ching-te said that vice president-elect Vincent Siew and Chiu had carried out a program of "easing the difficulties" of conglomerates, under which state-owned banks were jawboned into lending funds to companies in dire financial straits resulting from failed speculation in stocks and land. The lawmaker added that subsequent defaults were credited with triggering Taiwan's October 1998 "domestic financial storm."
According to the incoming premier, the remaining Cabinet posts, including the ministers of National Defense, Finance, Education and the Mainland Affairs Council will be revealed before April 30.
Write to Tso Lon-di at londi@mail.gio.gov.tw