President Chen names Frank Hsieh as new premier

Taipei, Jan. 26, 2005 (CENS)--President Chen Shui-bian yesterday appointed Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh as new premier, replacing the outgoing Yu Shyi-kun, one day after Yu and his administrative team resigned in line with constitutional protocol.

Hsieh promised to use ‘consultation and dialogue' to form a ‘stability cabinet' as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) strived to ease tensions with the opposition party and archrival mainland China.

At a presidential news conference held yesterday, Chen said Hsieh is the best choice for opening discussions and negotiations to create a stable new environment. Chen noted the new Cabinet led by Hsieh would be a Cabinet of consultation, dialogue, and stability.

Hsieh noted his Cabinet would pursue political stability and maintain stability across the Taiwan Strait. He said Taiwan must tackle the normalization of relations with mainland China in a more pragmatic and flexible approach.

Hsieh said he agrees to materialize big three-direct links with the mainland, otherwise the size of the offshore transportation hub should be expanded.

In the meantime, Hsieh also promoted a ‘Taiwan As New Silkroad' concept, indicating Taiwan can be built as a global logistics center if foreign enterprises which want to invest in mainland China can establish their beachheads in Taiwan. He suggested that foreign enterprises should first set up research and development center and operating center in Taiwan by employing well-experienced talents before heading for mainland China.

Soon after Hsieh was appointed as new Premier, domestic six largest industrial and commerce organizations proposed eight counts of solid suggestions:

--Both ruling and opposition parties should seek common sense of value to stabilize the entire society;

--Strengthening international economic and trade cooperation so that Taiwan won't be marginalized;

--Developing steady and harmonious relations across the Taiwan Strait;

--Taking cautious action to assess the impact of the Tokyo Protocol instigated by the United Nations and three environmental directives launched by the European Union;

--Helping enterprise owners reduce operating pressure in the wake of the implementation of the new labor retirement system on July 1;

--Planning of financial and economic policy should be in connection with the international community so as to solicit foreigners' investments in Taiwan;

--Proving more financial assistance to medium and small enterprises which are impacted by the new Basel II regulation; and

--Financial and economic policy formulated by the outgoing Yu Shyi-kun Cabinet should be consistently proceeded.