TAIWAN'S President and Kuomintang chairman Lee Teng-hui has appointed four senior - and often controversial - politicians to be vice-chairmen of the ruling party. While none is a surprise choice, their appointments will have a profound impact on the development of the island's politics, including the campaign for the next president.
Here are brief biographies of the four: Vice-President Li Yuan-zu: A trusted aide of the president, Mr Li's elevation to the first vice-chairmanship will help the party chairman in consolidating the hold of the so-called Mainstream Faction.
A former law professor with a doctorate from Bonn University in Germany, Mr Li, 70, will be acting party chairman if his mentor is away from Taiwan or is incapacitated.
Mr Li's extremely low profile has prompted a local manufacturer of air-conditioners to advertise its products as being ''as silent as the vice-president''.
However, the powers of the former justice minister has grown steadily. Mr Li has given President Lee decisive advice in vetting candidates for promotions, and in official endorsement for the running of legislative and other positions.
Mr Li, because of his age and his lack of a power base, is not expected to rise further. Former premier Hau Pei-tsun: The vice-chairmanship was the ''consolation price'' President Lee reportedly offered Mr Hau in return for the latter's agreement to stepdown from his government post last March.