TAIPEI: Taiwanese Premier Lin Chuan resigned yesterday in a move aimed at reviving public support for President Tsai Ing-wen's government.

Ms Tsai's office announced in a statement that Mr Lin offered his resignation on Sunday, saying he has "accomplished his periodic tasks", and it was approved by Ms Tsai.

The government's popularity has been hit by a series of controversial policies, ranging from holiday cuts to pension reforms, as well as by worsening relations with China.

Ms Tsai's popularity has dropped from a high of nearly 70 per cent when she took power to below 30 per cent in several recent polls, with some in her Democratic Progressive Party blaming the unpopular Premier for dragging down her support.

In a poll released last month, Mr Lin's support fell to a record low of 18 per cent, while 44 per cent said he should be replaced against 26 per cent who said he should stay.

Mr Lin, an economist and former finance minister, was rumoured to become the next governor of Taiwan's central bank. But he said yesterday he has no plans to take any government post in the future.

His replacement will be announced today.

The Cabinet is set to resign en masse in a formality on Thursday after the Premier steps down. It is not immediately clear how many ministers will be replaced.</s>[TAIPEI] Taiwan’s Premier Lin Chuan resigned on Monday in a move aimed at reviving dwindling public support for the government of President Tsai Ing Wen.

Ms Tsai’s office announced in a statement that Mr Lin offered his resignation on Sunday, saying that he had “accomplished his periodic tasks”, and it was approved by the president.

Speculation had been rife that Mr Lin would be replaced.

The government’s popularity has been hit by a series of controversial policies, ranging from holiday cuts to pension reforms, as well as by worsening relations with China.

Beijing has cut all official communication with Ms Tsai’s government since she took office in May last year.

Her Democratic Progressive Party is traditionally independence-leaning and has refused officially to accept that Taiwan is part of “one China”.

Ms Tsai’s popularity has dropped from a high of nearly 70 per cent when she took power to below 30 per cent in several recent polls, with some in the DPP blaming the unpopular premier for dragging down her support.

In a TVBS poll released last month, Mr Lin’s support fell to a record low of 18 per cent, while 44 per cent said he should be replaced against 26 per cent who said he should stay.

“I am happy that somebody will take over the heavy burden and I’m grateful that somebody is willing to do that... I’ll accept the criticisms that are reasonable,” Mr Lin told reporters when asked about his low public support.

Mr Lin, an economist and former finance minister, was rumoured to become the next governor of Taiwan’s central bank.

But he said Monday that he has no plans to take any government post in the future. His replacement will be announced on Tuesday.

There has been widespread speculation that the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan, William Lai, will take over.

The Harvard-educated Lai has won praise for his efficient management of the city, including his handling of the aftermath of an earthquake in 2016 that killed 116 people.

The cabinet is set to resign en masse in a formality on Thursday after the premier steps down. It is not immediately clear how many ministers will be replaced.</s>TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan president-elect Tsai Ing-wen will appoint a former finance minister, Lin Chuan, as premier, her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said on Monday, a move that suggests one of Tsai’s top priorities is the economy.

Lin was finance minister from 2002-2006, before which he served as head of the directorate-general of budget, accounting and statistics. He was a close aide to Tsai during her presidential campaign.

“Taiwan’s economy has been hit by global economic weakness, particularly China and the U.S. markets,” said John Chiu, chief investment officer of Fuh Hwa Securities Investment Trust Co.

“Lin as a premier should be positive for Taiwan. At least he is someone who understands the economy.”

Taiwan will struggle to reach its growth forecast this year, the central bank governor said recently, comments that point to the possibility of an interest rate cut later this month.

Tsai was elected in January at a tricky time for Taiwan’s export-dependent economy, which barely emerged from recession in the fourth quarter. China, with which the independence-leaning DPP has an uneasy relationship, is Taiwan’s top trading partner and Taiwan’s favorite investment destination.

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.</s>Taipei: Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Premier Lin Chuan, a departure that had been widely expected because of declining public support for the president.

Taiwan presidents often shuffle premiers in response to dips in popularity. Lin faced mounting pressure to step down as Tsai's popularity plummeted to 29.8 per cent by August, according to a private foundation survey, since she took office in May 2016.

"The president has accepted his resignation after sincere talks," Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement.

William Lai, the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a leading DPP figure, is widely expected to replace Lin.

Lin has been criticised not just by legislators from the opposition, but also from the DPP. Tsai had praised the premier as "a great communicator" when she introduced him last year.

But frozen relations with China, a backlash over pension reforms and a revised labour rule, among other missteps, have put pressure on the president to seriously consider replacing Lin, to pave the way for her 2020 re-election campaign.

Lin, a close confidant of the president who retains her trust, could become the next central bank governor when current governor Perng Fai-nan retires next year.</s>Taiwan’s Premier Lin Chuan resigned on Monday in a move aimed at reviving dwindling public support for the government of President Tsai Ing-wen.

Tsai’s office announced in a statement that Lin tendered his resignation on Sunday, saying that he had “accomplished his periodic tasks”, and it was approved by the president. Speculation was rife that Lin would be replaced. The government’s popularity has been hit by a series of controversial policies, ranging from holiday cuts to pension reforms, as well as by worsening relations with China.

Beijing has cut all official communication with Tsai’s government since she took office in May last year. Her Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally leans towards declaring formal independence from China, has refused officially to accept that Taiwan is part of one China.

Tsai’s popularity has been dropping from a high of nearly 70 per cent when she took power to below 30 per cent in several recent polls, with some in the DPP blamed the unpopular premier for dragging down her support. In a TVBS poll released last month, Lin’s support fell to a record low of 19 per cent, while 44 per cent said he should be replaced against 26 per cent who said he should stay. “I am happy that somebody will take over the heavy burden and I’m grateful that somebody is willing to do that… I’ll accept the criticisms that are reasonable,” Lin told reporters when asked about his low public support.

Lin, an economist and former finance minister, was rumoured to become the next governor of Taiwan’s central bank. But he said Monday that he has no plans to take any government post in the future. His replacement will be announced on Tuesday. There has been widespread speculation that the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan, William Lai, will take over.

For all the latest World News, download Indian Express App</s>TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Premier Lin Chuan, the ruling party said on Monday, a departure that had been widely expected because of the president’s falling public support.

FILE PHOTO: Taiwan's former finance minister Lin Chuan speaks during a news conference after he was announced as premier, in Taipei, Taiwan March 15, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Taiwan presidents often shuffle premiers in response to dips in popularity. Lin had faced mounting pressure to step down as Tsai’s popularity plummeted to 29.8 percent by August, a private foundation survey has shown.

When she took office in May 2016, her approval rating was as high as 70 percent.

“The president has accepted his resignation after sincere talks,” Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said in a statement.

Under Taiwan’s system, the president is the more important office, holding the jobs of commander in chief and head of state. The prime minister is appointed by the president to lead the cabinet.

Tsai is likely to be looking ahead to her 2020 re-election campaign.

Frozen relations with China, a backlash over pension reforms and a revised labor rule, among other controversies, have put pressure on her to replace Lin, in preparation for that campaign.

Lin said the party had “reached a point where we must embark on the next stage of the mission”.

“So I’ve resigned to pave the way for the president to re-organize her team and resources for that purpose,” he said.

The presidential office said a new premier would be announced on Tuesday.

‘BITING THE BULLET’

William Lai, the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a leading DPP figure, is widely expected to replace Lin.

A Lai premiership would not necessary help the president to improve her ratings, some analysts said.

“They need a reboot, because current ratings for both are low,” said Alex Huang, a professor of Tamkang University, Taipei, referring to Tsai and Lin, adding that it must have been a hard decision for Tsai because of their friendship.

“Lin is sort of biting the bullet to clear the path ahead for the president and the next premier,” Huang said.

Some representatives of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) have expressed scepticism that Tsai would build an effective partnership with Lai, if he did replace Lin.

FILE PHOTO: Taiwan president-elect Tsai Ing-wen shakes hands with former finance minister Lin Chuan (L), during a news conference announcing Lin as premier, in Taipei, Taiwan March 15, 2016. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

“I’d like to see how they both work together,” said Lai Shyh-bao, a KMT legislator. “Both Tsai and Lai have reputations for being overbearing and domineering.”

Lin has been criticized not just by legislators from the opposition, but also from his own DPP. Tsai had praised him as “a great communicator” when she introduced him last year.

Lin, a close confidant of the president who retains her trust, could become the next central bank governor when current governor Perng Fai-nan retires next year.</s>TAIPEI: Taiwan's Premier Lin Chuan has offered his resignation, a government spokesman said on Monday, a departure expected because of declining public support for President Tsai Ing-wen.</s>TAIPEI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has accepted the resignation of Premier Lin Chuan, the ruling party said on Monday, a departure that had been widely expected because of declining public support for the president.

Taiwan presidents often shuffle premiers in response to dips in popularity. Lin had faced mounting pressure to step down as Tsai's popularity plummeted to 29.8 percent by August, a private foundation survey has shown, since she took office in May 2016.

"The President has accepted his resignation after sincere talks," Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement.

William Lai, the popular mayor of the southern city of Tainan and a leading DPP figure, is widely expected to replace Lin, who is expected to hold a news conference at 2.30 p.m. (0630 GMT).

Lin has been criticized not just by legislators from the opposition, but also from the DPP. Tsai had praised the premier as "a great communicator" when she introduced him last year.

But frozen relations with China, a backlash over pension reforms and a revised labor rule, among other missteps, have put pressure on the president to seriously consider replacing Lin, to pave the way for her 2020 re-election campaign.

Lin, a close confidant of the president who retains her trust, could become the next central bank governor when current governor Perng Fai-nan retires next year. (Reporting by Faith Hung; Additional reporting by Jess Macy Yu; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)</s>(Reuters) - Taiwan goes to the polls on Saturday to elect a new president and parliament. China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province and part of its territory, will be watching the outcome closely.

Following are key facts on ties between Taiwan and China:

- China has claimed self-ruled Taiwan through its “one China” policy since the Chinese civil war forced the defeated Nationalist forces to flee to the island in 1949 and has vowed to bring it under Beijing’s rule, by force if necessary.

- China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council formally known as the People’s Republic of China, has about 170 diplomatic allies. Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China, has 22.

- Ties were badly strained when Chen Shui-bian from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was Taiwan president from 2000-2008 because of his independence rhetoric, even as he tried to maintain positive relations with Beijing.

- Relations warmed considerably after Ma Ying-jeou, from the China-friendly Nationalist Party, took office as president in May 2008. Ma steps down this year due to term limits. The DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen is favored to win the presidential vote.

In 2014, hundreds of students occupied Taiwan’s parliament for weeks in protests nicknamed the Sunflower Movement. They demanded more transparency in trade pacts negotiated with China in the largest display of anti-China sentiment the island had seen in years.

- China, including Hong Kong, is Taiwan’s top trading partner, with trade totaling just over $170 billion in 2014, official data from Taiwan shows. About 40 percent of Taiwan’s exports, such as tech components and chemicals, go to China.

- Since 2008, when Taiwan President Ma came to power, Taiwan and China have signed about 23 agreements covering business and tourism, including an Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement in 2010, aimed to further deepen ties between the two sides.

- China, with its 1.3 billion people, is also Taiwan’s favorite investment destination with Taiwan companies investing over $100 billion there, private estimates show. About 55 percent of Taiwan’s export orders are made in factories overseas, such as China.

- China and Taiwan have nearly gone to war three times since 1949, most recently ahead of the 1996 presidential election. Then, China carried out missile tests in waters close to the island hoping to prevent people voting for Lee Teng-hui, who China suspected of harboring pro-independence views. Lee won by a landslide.

- The military balance has shifted in China’s favor. China’s armed forces are 2.3 million strong while Taiwan has about 215,000 full-time troops.

- China has deployed more than 1,000 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles in coastal areas facing the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.

- The United States is obliged to help Taiwan with the means to defend itself under the U.S. Congress 1979 Taiwan Relations Act. China always reacts angrily to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and has repeatedly demanded they stop.

- China has more than 2,000 fighter aircraft, including Russian Su-30 and Su-27 fighters. Taiwan has about 300 fighter jets and the backbone of its air force is made up of U.S.-made F-16s, French-built Mirage 2000s and Ching-kuo Indigenous Defence Fighters.</s>TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan president-elect Tsai Ing-wen pledged on Tuesday her first cabinet would focus on the economic and financial issues, but avoided discussing China following a barrage of warnings directed at her by Beijing over the past week or so.

Tsai, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was elected by a landslide in January but does not assume office until May.

She formally announced former finance minister Lin Chuan as her premier, describing him as a good choice.

“I assure you that Lin’s cabinet will not only be a financial and economic cabinet, but also a cabinet with execution and communication ability,” she told reporters.

She left soon afterwards without taking questions from the media and made no mention of China during her formal remarks.

Tsai’s election came at a tricky time for Taiwan’s export-dependent economy, which barely emerged from recession in the fourth quarter. China, with which her DPP has an uneasy relationship, is Taiwan’s top trading partner and Taiwan’s favorite investment destination.

China considers self-ruled Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese civil war.

Beijing has repeatedly warned against any moves towards independence since wins by Tsai and her DPP in presidential and parliamentary elections.

Top officials and leaders have lined up to offer warnings to the proudly democratic island since China’s annual meeting of parliament began earlier this month.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said last week China would never allow the historical tragedy of Taiwan being “split” off from the rest of the country to happen again, warning the island against any moves towards formal independence.

Japan ruled Taiwan as a colony for about five decades until the end of World War Two. China’s last dynasty, the Qing, had ceded Taiwan to Japan in 1895 after losing the first Sino-Japanese war.

Tsai has said she would maintain peace with China, and Chinese state-run media have also noted her pledges to maintain the “status quo” with China.
Premier of the Republic of China Lin Chuan offers his resignation as head of the Executive Branch of Taiwan.