Skilful team appointed to council
HERE are the brief biographies of the 16 politicians elected to the policy-setting Central Standing Committee (CSC) of the KMT last night.
While criticising party chairman Lee Teng-hui for favouring his loyalists, critics admit that the 16 are well-entrenched politicians who represent different sectors of the polity.
Hsu Li-teh. The Vice-Premier looked after the KMT vast corporate empire before being elevated to his post early this year. He is regarded as a cautious technocrat.
Soong Chang-chih. The former army chief of staff will look after military interest in the party's highest council. While he is believed to have been ''won over'' by Mr Lee, the veteran naval officer is believed to be sympathetic to the cause of the Non-Mainstream Faction.
Wang Chin-ping. Vice-President of the Legislative Yuan, Wang carries immense power in the legislature, which will be the focus of party politics throughout the 1990s. However, Mr Wang failed to persuade Mr Lee to appoint or nominate more legislators to the Central Standing Committee.
Hsieh Lung-sheng. The powerful politician is head of the KMT caucus in the National Assembly, whose major function is the election of the president and revision of the constitution.
John Kuan. A former organisation chief of the KMT, Mr Kuan broke with chairman Lee's faction in the late 1980s. A political scientist by training, Mr Kuan has excellent political skills, which explained why he came in 17th during elections to the Central Committee last Thursday. He will be the only representative of younger-generation Non-Mainstream affiliates in the CSC.
Vincent Siew. Minister for Economic Planning and Development, Mr Siew is one of the fastest-rising technocrats in the cabinet. Mr Siew has, however, been criticised for ''extravagance'' with relation to the Six-Year Economic Development Programme.
Huang Kun-huei. As Mainland Affairs Council chief, Mr Huang is responsible for Taipei's mainland policy. The Lee loyalist has come under intense fire even from KMT cadres for being too conservative in approaching relations with Beijing.
Chang Hsiao-yen. The popular son of the late president Chiang Ching-kuo, Chang, in charge of overseas Chinese affairs, came in third during elections for the Central Committee last week. Analysts said given his acceptability to all factions, Mr Chang was in line for promotion.
Chou Shih-pin. Head of the Commission for Retired Servicemen, Mr Chou is the second military representative on the Standing Committee. He is believed to be politically neutral.
Huang Ta-chou. A former student of chairman Lee's, the former National Taiwan University professor has been Taipei mayor since 1990. Mr Huang, 57, has taken the heat for Taipei's traffic and pollution problems.
Wu Den-yih. At 45, Mr Wu, Kaohsiung mayor since 1990, is the youngest member of the CSC. The former journalist is noted for his political savvy and ambitions.
Chien Ming-ching. Speaker of the provincial assembly, Mr Chien showed his political prowess last night by being the fifth highest vote-getter.
Chen Chien-chih. Mr Chen is the speaker of the Taipei assembly.
Shieh Shen-san. Deputy Secretary-General of the KMT, Mr Shieh has drawn fire from Non-Mainstream politicians for displaying favouritism towards Mr Lee's faction during the 14th congress.
Soong Shih-suen. A former head of the organisation department of the KMT, Mr Soong is classified as a core member of the Non-Mainstream Faction. He retains considerable power among local-level party cadres.
Li Tchong-koei. As one of only two female members of the Central Standing Committee and a newly-elected deputy secretary-general of the KMT, Ms Li is tipped to go places. She is the wife of the head of the National Security Conference Shih Chih-yang, another CSC member.
