Government

The Perfect Choice

• Byline:
• Publication Date:04/01/2005

On January 24, President Chen Shui-bian announced that he had picked Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh for the premier post. Hsieh's appointment, in the end, was hardly surprising. Chen has already made it clear that two of his primary goals for his last term are improved cross-Strait relations and better communication with the opposition parties. In this context, no one is better suited for the job than Hsieh; he is the perfect choice for the administration's plans for the future.

Hsieh is one of the more popular political figures in Taiwan. A survey conducted by Decision Making Research for Taiwan ThinkTank shows that 68.8 percent of those polled approved of Hsieh's appointment. The survey also indicated that a majority of those who identified themselves as backers of the opposition support Hsieh as the new premier.

While this is especially good news for the governing party, it is more than simply a popularity contest. Chen's first term as president, through no fault of his own, was marred by the infighting of a deeply divided Legislature, where the opposition camp held the majority and fought tooth and nail against most of the president's proposals. The results of last year's legislative elections--the opposition retained its majority--proved that Taiwan's electorate favors the status quo. What was needed, and Chen recognized this, was a premier with negotiating finesse, someone who could temper political acrimony, someone who could, as it were, reach across the aisle.

Hsieh's popularity is due in no small part to his performance as mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second largest city. He is widely respected by the city's residents for his progressive initiatives. Hsieh, during his six years as mayor, is credited with cleaning up the city's Love River, restarting the delayed construction of Kaohsiung's mass rapid transit system, improving the city's sewage system and building the Kaohsiung Dome, a stadium which will be completed by the end of 2006.

Out of all of his accomplishments, one stands out as he takes the national stage. Hsieh secured the right for Kaohsiung to host the 2009 World Games, despite Beijing's habitual interference. Moreover, the former mayor's flexible leadership style has helped him overcome several obstacles, namely hammering out policy with a city council dominated by the opposition parties.

On February 1, Hsieh was sworn in. At the ceremony, he stressed the need to engage in dialogue with the opposition and called on the new Cabinet to take up its tasks with modesty in mind, reminding them that while the governing party has the most seats in the Legislature, it does not have a majority.

Hsieh's conciliatory approach, if successful, will do more than simply ease domestic political tensions. In light of the recent Lunar New Year cross-Strait charter flights and the president's commitment to improve cross-Strait relations, a unified policy with both the governing and opposition parties on board would make Taiwan's position vis-à-vis China all the stronger.

It is an idea whose time has come. Now that China has announced its intention to pass its "anti-separation" law, any illusion of a thaw in relations must be put on hold until Beijing recognizes that such a move flouts international norms.

While Hsieh has some daunting challenges ahead, he also brings with him a wealth of experience, superb negotiating skills and the support of the people. He will need that and more to diffuse the nation's political rancor and make inroads- -albeit with a strengthened position--with cross-Strait relations. Chen believes Hsieh is the man to handle such vexing issues and has wagered the legacy of his second term on this choice.