Taiwan appoints 5th 'premier' since 2000 (China Daily) Updated: 2006-01-20 06:20
Su Tseng-chang, former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive
Party (DPP), was appointed as the island's new "premier" yesterday to replace
Frank Hsieh.
Su, 59, will be the fifth "premier" appointed by Taiwan "president" Chen
Shui-bian since he took power in May 2000.
Under Taiwan's political system, the "president" appoints the "premier," who
forms the "cabinet" and runs the day-to-day government.
The appointment came just one day after the resignation of Hsieh, who will
formally step down with the entire "cabinet" on Monday.
Analysts saw the nomination as Chen's attempt to avoid becoming a lame duck
after the pro-independence DPP was crushed by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) in
local government polls last December.
They said Chen handpicked Su, his former chief of staff, in a bid to shore up
his own poor approval rating, which had plummeted to a record low amid voter
disappointment with his administration and a corruption scandal involving a
former aide.
Nicknamed "light bulb" by his supporters on account of his bald head, Su
commented on his appointment in a brief speech, saying he hopes to work together
with Chen to make Taiwan better.
Su, who was co-founder of the DPP and elected party chairman in January 2005,
resigned last month to take responsibility for its poor performance in
December's elections.
He previously served as magistrate of southern Pingtung County between 1989
and 1993, and then magistrate of Taipei County between 1997 and 2005.
Su faces the crucial job of reinvigorating Taiwan's economy, which is
undergoing an uncertain transition from manufacturing high-tech goods to
providing sophisticated services.
In a related development, Taiwan's major airlines said yesterday charter
flights across the Straits for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year holiday are
virtually sold out, a significant increase in bookings over last year.
Beginning today, six Taiwan airlines and six mainland airlines will provide a
total of 72 round-trip charter flights until February 13, under an agreement
worked out by civil aviation associations of the two sides.
This is the third year that the cross-Straits Spring Festival charter flights
have been in operation. In 2003 and 2005 they were limited to Taiwanese
businesspeople residing on the mainland, but this year Taiwanese students and
tourists have also been allowed to book seats.
The major Taiwan airlines said the decision has been a boon to business.
"Business is much better than last year, because there are no restrictions
anymore on the kinds of passengers," said Bruce Chen, a spokesman for China
Airlines, the island's largest carrier.
"All flights are full in economy class, and there are only a few seats left
in first class."
Taiwan's second carrier, EVA Airways, also said the flights looked like a
success.
"Flights from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to Taiwan are completely
booked, and those in the other direction are up to 90 per cent full," said
spokesman K.W. Nieh.
People in Chinese societies traditionally spend the New Year holiday with
relatives, and with several hundred thousand Taiwanese on the mainland, the
charter flights have a potentially large market.
Taipei has banned direct air links with the mainland since 1949. Travellers
on commercial flights are required to transfer at a third point, usually Hong
Kong.
(China Daily 01/20/2006 page2)
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