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)