The Executive Yuan announced today that Minister Lee Hong-yuan had to return to his professorial post at National Taiwan University because his leave of absence had come to an end, and his replacement as Minister of the Interior would be Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Wei-zen.
Chen has a bachelor's degree from National Cheng Kung University's Department of Urban Planning, a Master of Science in civil engineering from the University of Washington in the U.S. and a doctorate in engineering from Chinese Culture University's Graduate Institute of Industrial Planning.
He has held numerous government positions, including deputy commissioner of the Taipei City Government's (TCG) Department of Urban Development and Taiwan Provincial Government's Department of Construction, commissioner of the TCG's Department of Urban Development and its Department of Public Works, deputy magistrate of the Taipei County (precursor of New Taipei City) Government, administrative deputy minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and deputy mayor of Taipei City.
The Executive Yuan noted Chen possesses expertise in civil engineering and urban planning as well as comprehensive administrative qualifications. He fully demonstrated his tact and dexterity in communication and coordination with the Legislature while serving as secretary-general and could be called the most important bridge between the executive and legislative yuans, officials said, facilitating the passage of numerous high-priority bills submitted by the yuan.
The Ministry of the Interior oversees operations that closely affect the public, including civil affairs, household registration, land administration, police administration, construction and planning, firefighting, and immigration, and the Executive Yuan believes Chen will be a very effective leader of the agency, promoting the policies that prove most beneficial to citizens.