Taiwan Today

Deng Cheng-chen, former deputy minister of economic affairs, has been appointed deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, the Presidential Office said Nov. 23. Deng replaces Kao Charng who recently left to become deputy minister of the Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council. He was tapped by President Ma Ying-jeou after consultations with NSC Secretary-General Su Chi. The Presidential Office said Ma settled on Deng because of his extensive policy experience and strong negotiation and communication skills. A certified lawyer in Washington, D.C., Deng is also an expert in trade and economics and has been a staunch promoter of the proposed cross-strait economic cooperation framework agreement. His previous roles include deputy permanent representative to the World Trade Organization, chief trade negotiator for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and deputy representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. Deng will take up his appointment Nov. 25. (TYH-JSM)