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Taiwan's "premier" resigned yesterday over strong criticism of the government's response to the most devastating storm to hit the area in 50 years.

The island's top leader immediately named a senior official from the ruling party as Liu Chao-shiuan's replacement.

Public anger over the government's handling of the disaster has been the toughest test facing Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou since he took office last year.

Liu Chao-shiuan, 66, said he decided to tender his resignation at this time because his "Cabinet" had completed the initial stage of rehabilitation work, following Typhoon Morakot on Aug 8 and 9.

The typhoon left an estimated 670 people dead and a trail of destruction across the island.

"I have completed my duties at this phase," said Liu, who had held the post of "premier" since Ma took office in May 2008.

Liu's move sets the stage for the rest of the "Cabinet" to resign. Liu said he expected that will happen on Thursday.

Ma accepted Liu's resignation and appointed Wu Den-yih, a colorful and outspoken official from the ruling Kuomintang (KMT), to take his place.

Wu, 61, is the KMT secretary-general and a "legislator" who had earlier served as mayor of Kaohsiung, a major port city, for eight years.

Wu told a news conference he will abide by the principles championed by Ma, which include the pursuit of peace and stronger economic links with the mainland.

Wu said he will name new "Cabinet members" in a few days, after discussing the lineup with Ma.

"We will unite and strive with our best efforts to shoulder the difficult task ahead," he told reporters.

Opinion polls conducted in the wake of Typhoon Morakot showed support for Ma and Liu had plunged below 20 percent - a drop of between 20 and 30 points in a matter of months.

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）

Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op'Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily's Website opinion section.

He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.