By Sean Lin / Staff reporter

Former premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) is to be sworn in as the new premier on Monday, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

The appointment came in the wake of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) heavy losses in the Nov. 24 local elections, which led to Tsai’s resignation as party chairperson and the Cabinet’s mass resignation on Thursday.

At a news conference at the Presidential Office in Taipei, Tsai said that she asked Su to take the role as he possesses three characteristics the nation needs at this moment: experience, boldness and the ability to get things done.

Su’s philosophy of “breaking new ground” was evidenced by his campaign last year for the mayorship of New Taipei City through his employment of young campaign employees, innovative policymaking or creativity in promotions, she said.

In addition to fulfilling its promise to “make Taiwan great,” the administration would from now on focus more on equitable distribution of public resources and caring for disadvantaged people, Tsai said.

The nation is facing numerous challenges this year, including a US-China trade dispute and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) proposal to introduce a Hong Kong-style “one country, two systems” formula for Taiwan, she said.

“This is a year for us to strive to improve people’s lives, defend democracy and safeguard our sovereignty,” she said.

Tsai said that she would work closely with Su, whose decades of experience would enable him to lead with conviction as they help the nation navigate ever-changing international situations.

She extended her gratitude to outgoing Premier William Lai (賴清德) for his “pragmatic” approach that has helped the government achieve many of its goals in terms of reform and development.

“This is a daunting task at a critical moment,” Su said, thanking Lai for his team’s outstanding governance, which has laid the groundwork for Su’s team.

He added that he would strive for even greater achievement.

Citing a quotation often misattributed to former British prime minister Winston Churchill, Su said: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.”

Churchill during World War II led the UK through its darkest hours, and after the war he again served as leader to the great acclaim of Queen Elizabeth II and the public, despite his age, said Su, who is 71.

“I shall roll up my sleeves and lead my team to meet the public’s expectations and bring the government in sync with public opinion,” he said.

Comparing himself to a “middle relief pitcher” for the DPP and Su as the “closer,” Lai praised Su’s “invaluable” experience and wished him good luck.

Later yesterday, former Taichung mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), who lost his re-election bid in last year’s elections, said on Facebook that he has accepted Su’s offer to serve as minister of transportation and communications.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus ridiculed Su, Lin and another potential Cabinet member, former DPP legislator Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁), for their unsuccessful campaigns last year, calling them a “union of losers” and members of a “DPP veterans’ affairs council.”

Additional reporting by Chen Yun</s>Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has appointed Su Tseng-chang as Prime Minister during a Cabinet reshuffle following the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s heavy losses in local elections.

Su is a former premier appointed in 2006 by then-President Chen Shui-bian and was a chairman of Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party for two terms. His appointment follows the widely-expected resignation of William Lai, the second premier to quit since Tsai took office in 2016.

Su was appointed premier in 2006 by former president Chen Shui-bian, who infuriated Beijing and strained Taiwan’s relationship with the United States during his tenure from 2000 to 2008. The folksy Su, popular among the DPP’s core supporters, has led Taiwan’s most populous New Taipei City for years. He was defeated by a candidate from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang in November.</s>TAIPEI (REUTERS) - Taiwan will appoint the ruling pro-independence party's former chairman as premier, official media reported on Friday (Jan 11), a day after incumbent William Lai said he was resigning, along with the entire Cabinet, in response to local election defeats.

The election losses in November presented a major challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen, who came under mounting criticism at home over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers Taiwan its own.

Ms Tsai will appoint Mr Su Tseng-chang, the former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for two terms, the official Central News Agency reported early on Friday, citing unidentified sources.

It said Mr Su's appointment could come a day after the widely expected resignation of Mr Lai, the second premier to quit since Ms Tsai took office in 2016. It is standard practice in Taiwan for leaders to quit when their party loses a major election.

The Cabinet resignations will take place later on Friday and are expected to be followed by new appointments.

With just about a year until the next presidential election, analysts say Ms Tsai and the new premier need to shore up public support for the government's policy on relations with Beijing and further boost the island's export-reliant economy in a challenging year amid a China-US trade war.

Taiwan's premier forms the Cabinet and runs the government on a day-to-day basis.

Mr Su was appointed premier in 2006 by former president Chen Shui-bian, who infuriated Beijing and strained Taiwan's relationship with the United States during his tenure from 2000 to 2008.

The folksy Mr Su, popular among the DPP's core supporters, has led Taiwan's most populous New Taipei City for years. He was defeated by a candidate from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang in November.

Ms Tsai has said her administration would reflect upon the election defeat but would stand firm to defend Taiwan's democracy in the face of renewed Chinese threats.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Ms Tsai became president, threatened earlier this month to use force to bring the island under Beijing's rule and urged "reunification".

Some from within the embattled leader's party have urged Ms Tsai not to seek re-election. She has not explicitly said whether she would run for president in 2020.</s>(L-R) Former premier William Lai, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and new premier Su Tseng-chang join hands after a news conference in Taipei, Taiwan, January 11, 2019.

TAIPEI - Taiwan on Friday appointed the former chairman of its ruling pro-independence party as premier, after the incumbent resigned along with the entire cabinet, in response to local election defeats.

November's election losses presented a major challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen, who faced mounting criticism at home over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers the self-ruled island its own.

Tsai appointed Su Tseng-chang, a two-term former chairman of her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying Taiwan faced challenges amid rising Chinese threats and trade tension between key backer the United States and China.

"Taiwan's democracy and development must face certain challenges," Tsai said, adding that China was looking to force its "one country, two systems" structure on the island.

Su vowed to lead the administration amid the challenges and learn from earlier mistakes.

"The situation is difficult and the task is tough," he said.

Su's appointment followed the widely expected resignation of William Lai, the second premier to quit since Tsai took office in 2016, in line with a practice of leaders quitting when their party loses a major election.

"I must resign to take responsibility for the election defeat," Lai told a cabinet meeting earlier on Friday.

Taiwan's premier forms the cabinet and runs the government on a day-to-day basis. New ministerial appointments are expected soon.

Just a year ahead of the next presidential election, analysts say Tsai and the new premier must shore up public support for the government's policy on China ties and further boost the island's export-reliant economy in a challenging year amid the China-US trade war.

Su was appointed premier in 2006 by former president Chen Shui-bian, who infuriated Beijing and strained Taiwan's relationship with the United States during his tenure from 2000 to 2008.

Su, nicknamed "light bulb" by his supporters for his bald head, has led Taiwan's most populous New Taipei City for years. He was defeated by a candidate from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang in November.

Tsai has said her administration would reflect on the election defeats but would stand firm to defend Taiwan's democracy in the face of renewed Chinese threats.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai became president, threatened this month to use force to bring the island under Beijing's rule and urged "reunification".

"The new premier not only has to focus on domestic matters but must also pay much more attention to cross-Strait and national security issues," Yao Chia-wen, a senior adviser to the president, told Reuters.

He said the new premier must deal with issues such as the prevention of swine fever from China and possible election interference.

Some from within the embattled leader's party have urged Tsai not to seek re-election. She has not explicitly said whether she would run for president in 2020 but has warned against Chinese efforts to interfere with elections.</s>Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen named Su Tseng-chang as the island's new prime minister on Friday following the resignation Lai Ching-te and the members his government over the recent electoral setback suffered by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

The president announced the appointment at a press conference in which both the incoming and outgoing premiers were present, state-run agency CNA reported on Friday.</s>FILE PHOTO - Su Tseng-chang of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gives a speech during a news conference in Taipei, Taiwan May 30, 2012. REUTERS/Yi-Ting Chung/File Picture

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan has appointed Su Tseng-chang as premier, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, as she moved to shore up support after the defeat of her pro-independence party in local elections last year.

November's election trouncing presents a major challenge to Tsai, who faced mounting domestic criticism over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers the self-ruled island its own.

Su is a former premier appointed in 2006 by then President Chen Shui-bian, and was a chairman of Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party for two terms. His appointment follows the widely-expected resignation of William Lai, the second premier to quit since Tsai took office in 2016.

With the next presidential election just a year away, analysts say Tsai and Su must build support for the government's cross-strait policy and further boost the export-reliant economy in a challenging year, amid the Sino-U.S. trade spat.</s>TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan will appoint the ruling pro-independence party’s former chairman as premier, official media reported on Friday, after incumbent William Lai resigned along with the entire Cabinet in response to local election defeats.

The election losses in November presented a major challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen, who came under mounting criticism at home over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers Taiwan its own.

Tsai will appoint Su Tseng-chang, the former chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for two terms, the official Central News Agency reported early on Friday, citing unidentified sources.

It said Su’s appointment would follow the widely expected resignation of Lai, the second premier to quit since Tsai took office in 2016. It is standard practice in Taiwan for leaders to quit when their party loses a major election.

“I must resign to take responsibility for the election defeat,” Lai told a Cabinet meeting on Friday after he and other ministers resigned.

Taiwan’s premier forms the Cabinet and runs the government on a day-to-day basis.

Tsai was expected to announce the new premier in a media briefing later on Friday, which would be followed by new ministerial appointments.

With just about a year until the next presidential election, analysts say Tsai and the new premier need to shore up public support for the government’s policy on relations with Beijing and further boost the island’s export-reliant economy in a challenging year amid a China-U.S. trade war.

Su was appointed premier in 2006 by former president Chen Shui-bian, who infuriated Beijing and strained Taiwan’s relationship with the United States during his tenure from 2000 to 2008.

The folksy Su, popular among the DPP’s core supporters, has led Taiwan’s most populous New Taipei City for years. He was defeated by a candidate from the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang in November.

Tsai has said her administration would reflect upon the election defeats but would stand firm to defend Taiwan’s democracy in the face of renewed Chinese threats.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai became president, threatened earlier this month to use force to bring the island under Beijing’s rule and urged “reunification”.

“The new premier not only has to focus on domestic matters but must also pay much more attention to cross-strait and national security issues,” Yao Chia-wen, a senior adviser to the president, told Reuters.

He said the new premier must deal with issues including the prevention of swine fever from China, as well as possible election interference.

Some from within the embattled leader’s party have urged Tsai not to seek re-election. She has not explicitly said whether she would run for president in 2020 but has warned against Chinese efforts to interfere with elections.</s>Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen turned to a seasoned campaigner - and her former boss - to serve as premier as she seeks to build a new administration just 12 months away from the presidential election.

[TAIPEI] Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen turned to a seasoned campaigner - and her former boss - to serve as premier as she seeks to build a new administration just 12 months away from the presidential election.

Su Tseng-chang, 71, was named as premier after Lai Ching-te stepped down along with the rest of his cabinet Friday, in the latest fallout from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's heavy defeat to the China-friendly Kuomintang in local elections in November. Mr Su's first task will be to appoint a new cabinet that can win back public support.

In his first comments after the reshuffle, Mr Su cited a saying often attributed to the UK's wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal." He also dismissed concerns about his advanced age, noting that Churchill returned for a second stint just before his 77th birthday.

Although the role of premier turns over frequently in Taiwan's presidential-led political system, a new cabinet adds to the challenges facing Ms Tsai. Amid the trade war between the US and China - Taiwan's two largest trading partners - Chinese President Xi Jinping has ratcheted up the pressure, calling in a speech last week for talks leading to the eventual unification of both sides.

"Su was chosen to restore confidence in the administration," said Andrew Yang, former defense minister and secretary general of the Taipei-based Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies. "He has administrative experience, he's an efficient policy decision maker and is an experienced campaigner."

A member of former President Chen Shui-bian's administration, Mr Su ran an unsuccessful campaign to be mayor of New Taipei City in November. Ms Tsai was his deputy when he served as premier between 2006 and 2007.

Mr Su is Ms Tsai's third premier in her two-and-a-half years as president. The average tenure of a Taiwanese premier has been 16 months since the island's first democratic elections in 1996.</s>TAIPEI
• Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen appointed the ruling pro-independence party's former chairman as premier yesterday, a day after incumbent William Lai said he was resigning, along with the entire Cabinet, in response to local election defeats.

The election losses last November presented a major challenge to Ms Tsai, who came under mounting criticism at home over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers Taiwan its own.

Ms Tsai appointed Mr Su Tseng-chang, a two-term former chairman of her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as premier. She said Taiwan faced challenges amid rising Chinese threats and trade tension between key backer the United States and China.

"Taiwan's democracy and development must face certain challenges," said Ms Tsai, adding that China was looking to force its "one country, two systems" structure on the island.

Mr Su, 71, vowed to lead the administration amid the challenges and learn from earlier mistakes. "The situation is difficult and the task is tough," he said.

The resignations add to the multiple challenges facing Ms Tsai. Amid the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, Taiwan's two largest trading partners, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ratcheted up the pressure, calling in a speech last week for the beginning of talks on an eventual unification of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. Ms Tsai rejects China's claims to sovereignty over Taiwan.

"No matter who Tsai appoints as the next premier, it will be difficult for her administration to improve their performance," said Professor Jou Jyh-bang from National Taiwan University's Graduate Institute of National Development.

"In the year ahead, there are external pressures as the US-China trade war is likely to have a negative impact on Taiwan's economy, and it's also unlikely she'll be able to achieve a breakthrough in cross-strait relations. She faces a very tough path to win re-election."

Ms Tsai's appointment of a new premier will be key to her chances of staying in power beyond next January's presidential vote. The new administration will be tasked with winning back public support after the DPP suffered a heavy defeat to the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang in local elections in November last year.

Mr Lai is the second premier to quit since Ms Tsai took office in 2016. It is standard practice in Taiwan for leaders to quit when their party loses a major election, and Mr Lai had initially offered to resign in the immediate aftermath of last November's vote before Ms Tsai persuaded him to stay on.

Taiwan's premier forms the Cabinet and runs the government on a day-to-day basis.

Mr Su was appointed premier in 2006 by former president Chen Shui-bian, who infuriated Beijing and strained Taiwan's relationship with the US during his tenure from 2000 to 2008.

Popular among the DPP's core supporters, he has led Taiwan's most populous New Taipei City for years. He was defeated by a candidate from Kuomintang in November last year.

Some from within Ms Tsai's party have urged her not to seek re-election. She has not explicitly said whether she would run for president next year.</s>Taiwan Premier William Lai said on Thursday he was resigning along with the self-ruled island's entire cabinet, nearly two months after the defeat of his ruling pro-independence party in local elections.

[TAIPEI] Taiwan Premier William Lai said on Thursday he was resigning along with the self-ruled island's entire cabinet, nearly two months after the defeat of his ruling pro-independence party in local elections.

The election losses present a major challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen who has come under mounting domestic criticism over her reform agenda while facing renewed threats from China, which considers the island its own.

Mr Lai's departure was widely expected. It is standard practice in Taiwan for leaders to go when their party loses a major election. The DPP suffered a significant defeat in November to the China-friendly opposition Kuomintang.

It is also customary for the cabinet to step down when the premier resigns.

"The time is up. I will call a special cabinet meeting tomorrow and resign along with the entire cabinet," Mr Lai told reporters in parliament, adding that Ms Tsai had approved his resignation.

Ms Tsai, who is also from the DPP, was expected to announce a new premier, Mr Lai said, and ministerial appointments would follow.

Taiwan's elected president appoints the premier, who forms the cabinet and runs the government on a day-to-day basis.

Analysts said Ms Tsai, who faces a presidential election in about a year, must shore up public support for her policy on relations with Beijing and boost the island's export-reliant economy in a challenging year amid the China-US trade dispute.

Chinese President Xi Jinping this month threatened to use force to bring democratic Taiwan under Beijing's rule and urged "reunification" with the island.

Mr Xi has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Ms Tsai became president in 2016.

Ms Tsai has said her administration would reflect upon on the election defeat but would stand firm to defend Taiwan's democracy in the face of renewed Chinese threats.

Some from within the embattled leader's party have urged Ms Tsai not to seek re-election. She has not explicitly said whether she would run for president in 2020.

The latest tension with China is credit negative for Taiwan and would hurt the island's economy, Moody's said in a report this week.
Taiwanese premier William Lai announces his resignation and former premier Su Tseng-chang succeeds him.