Source: Government Information Office
President Chen Shui-bian's statement at the press conference is as follows:
The Fourth Legislative Yuan ended its term last week, and I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the legislators for their efforts over the past three years. Looking back on the last three years, we have experienced important political and economic changes both at home and abroad. It is a crucial era in the transformation of national development.
In such a crucial era, the people on Taiwan, the governing and opposition parties, and the members of the Fourth Legislative Yuan all played key roles. I am eternally grateful to former Premier Tang Fei and Premier Chang Chun-hsiung and their administrations, who, during the most difficult of times, shouldered the heavy responsibilities entrusted to them by the people. Despite the length of their tenure, they have made significant contributions and left an indelible record of accomplishments in this crucial era of Taiwan's democratic development.
Over the past year, despite a difficult external environment and daunting challenges, Premier Chang and his team persevered and labored at such tasks as the eradication of "black-gold," financial reform, industrial transformation, government restructuring, cross-strait stability, and breakthroughs in foreign relations. The people of Taiwan have seen the accumulated results of their efforts. Understandably, some administrative efforts produce quick results and win instant applause. Many other reforms that have been done without immediate effect are fundamental to Taiwan's transformation.
On December 1, 2001, we witnessed the outcome of the election for the Fifth Legislative Yuan and entered a new stage in Taiwan's political development and landscape of the governing and opposition parties. I believe that we should not view this as the victory of one party, but see it as the turning point for political stability and national progress.
The political structure in the new legislature represents the current public opinion, which requires the governing party to shoulder the full responsibility. On the other hand, the more balanced power distribution between the governing and opposition parties should also become the new foundation for rational communication and positive interaction.
The new legislature and cabinet will soon take office. They should be able to bring new opportunities for the positive development of Taiwan's political situation and the establishment of rational relations between the governing and opposition parties. A new legislature means the infusion of new blood into Taiwan's democracy. Some legislators have passed on their experience; others will inherit it. The same applies to the new Cabinet.
Democratic reform is like a relay race, in which the runners pass the baton from one to the other so that the race can continue. Today, the members of the cabinet led by Premier Chang have submitted to me their resignations. I would like to once again express my appreciation for the hard work and contributions of the entire administrative team. I would also like to express to Premier Chang that I have a new and equally important mission to entrust to him.
With his great achievements in leading the DPP's successful transformation to the largest party in the Legislature, many expected Chairman Frank Chang-ting Hsieh to be appointed to a higher post. However, he insisted on keeping his campaign promises to develop Kaohsiung City into a "Maritime Capital."
Therefore, I would like to officially announce that the superb mission and the cumulative weight of responsibilities that Premier Chang Chun-hsiung has been carrying will be transferred to Yu Shyi-kun, currently the secretary-general of the office of the president, who will announce the new Cabinet as soon as possible.
Chen Shih-meng, the deputy governor of the Central Bank, will become the next secretary-general of the office of the president.
Mr. Yu Shyi-kun came from the Lanyang Plain in Ilan. Like many others and myself, he was raised in a poor farming family and lived a difficult life as a youth. This experience in growing up made him sincere, honest, strong, and able to bear hardships.
Mr. Yu was a member of the Taiwan Provincial Assembly for two terms, magistrate of Ilan County for eight years, chairman of the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, secretary-general of the DPP central standing committee, vice premier of the Executive Yuan, secretary-general of the Office of the President, etc. His rich experience and excellent performance in the past showed that Mr. Yu is fully capable of shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the premier and reorganizing the cabinet.
I am confident that he will serve as the best bridge in establishing partnerships between the central and local governments. In addition, Mr. Yu's humble and amiable attitude, as well as his special mediation capability, give us confidence to believe that the interaction between the Executive and Legislative Yuans and between the governing and opposition parties will be friendly and harmonious in the future.
Chen Shih-meng is from a family of scholars from Chekiang Province on the Chinese mainland. He is a well-known economist in Taiwan and abroad, specializing in such areas as macroeconomics, money and banking, finance, politics, and economy. Besides his excellent academic background, Dr. Chen has successfully held the posts of the DPP's secretary-general, deputy mayor of Taipei City, and deputy governor of the Central Bank.
When I was the mayor of Taipei, Dr. Chen Shih-meng was one of my best work partners. Furthermore, his principled style of honesty and frankness as a government official will generate public confidence that he will be able to shoulder the heavy responsibility of restructuring the government as secretary-general of the office of the president.
My colleagues and my dear fellow countrymen, the purpose of passing on the torch is to fulfill our ideals and add motivational power to reform. The personnel shift does not mean a denial of what has been done or the end of someone's dedicated contributions. Hand in hand, let us unite and work together to fulfill our hopes and move forward with our dreams. Thank you.