Taiwan’s cabinet sworn in as new leader William Lai aims for continuity
- Former DPP chairman Cho Jung-tai is chief of the 34-member cabinet, with familiar faces in key roles
- Lai has vowed to maintain his predecessor Tsai’s approach to cross-strait relations and other policies
Lai, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, has vowed throughout his presidential campaign and in subsequent speeches to maintain Tsai’s approach to cross-strait relations and other policies, aiming to avoid provoking Beijing.
Beijing has meanwhile cautioned Lai against making any moves towards independence, warning of the potential for conflict.
Lai last month appointed Cho Jung-tai, 65, a former DPP chairman, as his cabinet chief.
The new cabinet, known as the Executive Yuan, is made up of 34 members – 26 men and just eight women, with an average age of 62.
Key appointments include Cheng Li-chun, 54, a former culture minister, who was selected as Cho’s deputy and whose ties with cultural and civil groups could bolster support for Lai, particularly among young people.
Other notable appointments include Kung Ming-hsin, 60, the cabinet’s new secretary general. Kung succeeds Li Meng-yen, and with his background in macroeconomics, Kung will play a role in coordinating between ministries on Taiwan’s national development policy. He recently proposed a review of the island’s energy policy to tackle the issue of power shortages.