|
|
|
> magazine
|
|
||||
|
|
|||||
|
> magazine |
|||||
|
|
SEPTEMBER 15, 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 36 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
Key aims are a range of reforms ALSO The Man in the Hot Seat: Taiwan's PM feels the pressure to deliver Despite undergoing surgery to remove a chest tumor two months ago, Tang Fei stands tall for a man who is only 1.6 meters. His handshake is firm, and he walks with his chest held high. A former fighter pilot with multiple successes against Communist foes during dogfights over the Taiwan Strait, he became head of the island's Combat Air Command in 1989. In 1998 he was promoted to four-star general and made armed forces chief of staff, before quitting early last year to become defense minister. In March, president-elect Chen Shui-bian named Tang premier and head of government. Excerpts from an exclusive interview with Asiaweek Senior Correspondent Allen T. Cheng: Is the strong criticism of the new government fair? This is the first time the Kuomintang has handed power to an opposition party. It's also the first time the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's cabinet) has a completely new set of members. Admittedly, most of us don't have much administrative experience. We have had to face very tough questions from the legislature. The new ministers lack understanding of the legislature and their own ministries; many gave inconsistent answers when testifying. And we've only had one month to really focus on our jobs. The first two months were spent on just learning about our departments and getting to know one another. We ourselves feel we haven't accomplished much. Some of us had different points of views. So it's understandable the public should feel we don't have clear policies. During these three months, we've also had several natural mishaps. However, I now feel we have reached a comfort level on managing the government. Just give us a little more time and you'll begin to see results. What are your goals as premier? Our goals come in four areas. One, we want to sao hei — sweep out corrupt elements — and initiate political reforms; two, create more transparency in government; three, forge a new economic direction, especially a more competitive technology sector built on a knowledge-based economy and transformed traditional industries; and four, nurture a more transparent finance sector. People are blaming the recent stock market falls on the government's anti-graft campaign, which has driven some large investors to send their money overseas. Clearly, our efforts to clean up government are taking effect. We have been criticized for this, but I believe that we must have the political will to push this through. If you are afraid of short-term pain, you must remember that you will not be able to escape long-term agony. President Chen clearly chose you as premier for your military and mainland background — implying that you can help with cross-strait relations. Why did you accept his appointment? In addition to the reasons you stated, Chen asked me to reform Taiwan's political and executive administration, not only fight corruption. This is something I'm very interested in. Our government's political structure needs reform. This isn't easy. Many people have traditional views, that the status quo should be maintained. This is one main reason the president chose me. If I can achieve this, I will be very pleased. But as you know, I recently had an operation to remove a tumor, delaying my initiatives. I must accelerate my efforts to make up for time lost. How is your health? So far, it's holding up. The work pressure is intense, I must admit. We meet at the ministerial level every day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then with deputy ministers through 3 p.m. It is very draining. Were you not psychologically prepared for this? My ill health and its impact on public expectations, I must admit I wasn't prepared for. The current tension between the [legislature] and the [cabinet] I had expected. What is your view of Vice Premier Qian Qichen's statement in Beijing that a reunified China need not be the People's Republic of China? In the not-too-distant future, I hope to achieve a breakthrough [in cross-strait relations]. I hope that we can resolve the "one-China" issue. I believe both sides can consider a "one China" that isn't a People's Republic of China or a Republic of China, but a "future prosperous China." But it's clear that both sides are still far away from dialogue. We in Taiwan don't yet have a consensus. Many people aren't willing to touch this issue. I believe we cannot avoid it. China has recently made some sincere statements. But what they say domestically and externally are two different things. We really do hope to see Qian's words — that "the mainland and Taiwan are part of one China" — reflected to audiences within China as well. Is there a role that the United States can play to help achieve a breakthrough? Cross-strait policy doesn't depend only on the two sides across the strait. Clearly, America must be considered too. We hope that the U.S. will play a larger role — and other nations as well. Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
Quick Scroll: More stories from Asiaweek, TIME and CNN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| Back to the top |
© 2000 Asiaweek. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines. |
|
ASIAWEEK'S
LATEST