Cabinet resigns en masse
ROC Central News Agency
2013/02/07 14:30:12
Taipei, Feb. 7 (CNA) Premier Sean Chen led his ministers in an en masse resignation Thursday as part of a Cabinet reshuffle.
The en masse resignation took place during the last Cabinet meeting presided over by Chen in his tenure.
In the meeting, Chen asked his ministers to pay attention to their health and reminded them to continue with their duties during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, whether they will stay in their posts or not, according to Cabinet spokeswoman Cheng Li-wun.
The Cabinet has undergone a major reshuffle since Chen decided in late January to resign. He will be replaced by his deputy, Jiang Yi-huah, while Jiang's post is set to be filled by Transportation Minister Mao Chi-kuo.
Mao's deputy, Yeh Kuang-shih, will be promoted to head the Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
For the Cabinet's two top economic posts, China Airlines Chairman Chang Chia-juch is set to replace Shih Yen-hsiang as economics minister, and Minister-without-Portfolio Kuan Chung-ming has been tapped to head the Council for Economic Planning and Development. Taipei Deputy Mayor Chen Wei-zen has been named as Executive Yuan secretary-general.
The new Cabinet will be sworn in Feb. 18, the first working day after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Chen, who tendered his resignation for health reasons, said he will take a rest after stepping down from the post.
'The most important thing for me at present is to get some rest and improve my health,' Chen told reporters.
He thanked his Cabinet members for their support and hard work over the past year and expressed his wish for a good start for the next Cabinet.
According to Chen, Taiwan's economy has begun to stabilize in 2013, after getting through a year marred by the global economic downturn due to the eurozone debt crisis.
Based on the stock index of the previous day -- the last trading day before the Lunar New Year holiday -- the value of Taiwan's stock market has increased by NT$2.34 trillion, or nearly 10 percent, over the past year, he noted.
In addition, Taiwan's purchasing managers index, a gauge of manufacturing expansion and a leading economic indicator, rose significantly in January to 57.7 percent, which shows that the economy is improving, he said.
Jiang pledged, meanwhile, to continue to work for Taiwan's prosperity and stability based on the foundation laid by Chen, who he said has led Taiwan through many economic challenges.
'Although many people are not satisfied with the economic performance ... we as Cabinet members know very well about Chen's hard work and his contribution to this country,' Jiang said.
(By Chiachen Hsieh and Y.F. Low)
ENDITEM/J
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