The following is a summary of Vice Premier Chang San-cheng's remarks to Cabinet members at a special meeting held today:
Good afternoon, everyone!
Shortly following the January 16 presidential and legislative elections, Premier Mao Chi-kuo led the Cabinet to resign en masse. President Ma Ying-jeou had called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)—the new majority party of the Legislature—to form a new Cabinet so that the government is not left idling in the four months until the new president takes office. But as the DPP has no plans to form a Cabinet before the inauguration, and out of respect for Premier Mao's resignation, President Ma has appointed me to take up the premiership beginning February 1. He also expects other members of the Cabinet, with a few exceptions, to stay in their positions.
From earlier communications, the DPP has said that they will respect the president's decision to name the new premier and has promised not to give Cabinet members a tough time at the Legislature. In the meantime, President Ma has directed me and my Cabinet to hold steady and forge ahead in our work until May 20.
Our four-month term may be short, but I believe we still have a chance to make history. Allow me to share my expectations and principles for this period:
1. Stick to our posts: There has been much criticism of our work over the past years, and while we always listen to critique with humility, we do have many achievements to be proud of, objectively speaking.
Take the electrification of the Hualien-Taitung railway, for one, or the fact that Taiwan's declining crime rate has made it one of the safest countries in the world. We signed fishery agreements with our neighbors, stabilized cross-strait relations and expanded Taiwan's international participation. With our eye on the future, we have also launched an array of initiatives to promote countrywide digitalization, support innovative startups and develop the bioeconomy. As a member of the Cabinet, I take pride in all of these achievements.
Since our term concludes in four months' time, we need not be concerned about budget matters, election issues, keeping our jobs or pleasing special interests. Without these influences, we are free to be impartial. Our solitary goal is to stick to our posts and do our job well. What better time in history is there to do so?
2. Work together to chart Taiwan's future: Now that the elections are over, the political parties should come together and forge a harmonious administrative environment. We extend good will to all the legislative caucuses and hope to build a deeper and more substantive model for the political transition. Taiwan has already seen too much internal strife. My hope is that the Cabinet will work together for the love of Taiwan and become the strong administrative team that the nation needs. In these four months, we must join hands as one and chart the nation's future.
Here, I pledge to shoulder full responsibility for the Cabinet's decisions and policies in the coming period. I will give each of you my full support and do all I can to protect the dignity of this Cabinet as it remains steadfast in its post and works together for nation's future. I believe these four short months will mark a special time in your respective careers as well as a critical point in our country's governance.
Finally, thank you for your willingness to stay on and continue striving. You will not regret your decision and I believe the people of this country will admire and appreciate your service for the next four months.