Former Taiwan VP Chen Chien-jen to become new premier

Taiwan’s former vice president Chen Chien-jen is set to become the island nation’s new premier following the anticipated reshuffling of the presidential cabinet. The reshuffling also comes as the governing Democratic Progressive Party suffered major losses in the November elections.

The Taiwanese presidential office announced on Wednesday that Chen would become Taiwan’s new premier, succeeding Su Tseng-chang, who turned in his resignation last week ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays. Aside from Su, members of the cabinet also submitted their resignations last week.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is set to make the formal announcement on Friday during a news conference, according to the presidential office. However, the office did not disclose further details about whether new ministers would be appointed for other positions.

Chen served as Tsai’s vice president from 2016 to 2020 and was widely speculated by local media to become the new premier. Chen will also have to oversee certain challenging issues, such as the nation’s economy, along with the plans to extend military service to one year at a time when China is increasingly posing a threat to the island. However, as the DPP maintains its large majority in parliament, the proposals will likely pass.

Chen only joined the governing party last year, taking on a high-profile position campaigning for the DPP ahead of the November elections. Chen also served as Taiwan’s envoy to the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, as the Vatican is one of the 14 nations that still maintain formal diplomatic ties to Taiwan.

Early this week, Tsai wrote a letter to Pope Francis, assuring the pontiff that a potential military conflict with China is not an option, but only if there is respect for Taiwan’s sovereignty and freedom can there be good relations with Beijing. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has engaged in an increasing pressure campaign to make the island’s democratic government to submit to Beijing. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected China’s sovereignty claims over the island.

Tsai’s letter also comes as there is a concern in Taipei over the pope’s move toward improving relations with China. Tsai said the war in Ukraine has made the world appreciate and value peace and that maintaining regional security is an important consensus.