President Chen Shui-bian on May 14th held a press conference at the Presidential Building to announce his decision to appoint Chang Chun-hsiung, chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, as the new premier.
President Chen said that Mr. Chang, with his abundant experience in the political area and his diplomatic style of work, will usher in a new era in the ROC (Taiwan) and will continue on the important historic mission of highlighting Taiwan's status as a sovereign political entity.
The president also said he hopes that Mr. Chang will use his abundant knowledge and experience in cross-strait affairs to complete negotiations at an early date to allow mainland Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan and to establish chartered cargo flights between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. President Chen added that he also hopes Mr. Chang will work to iron out a compromise that would enable the Olympic torch to make its way to Taiwan, but avoid a situation that would belittle Taiwan's sovereign status.