Taiwan names mayor as new premier

Analysts: Pro-independent stance may anger China

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has named a staunchly pro-independence city mayor as her new premier, in a move which some analysts said would rile China.

China still sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory even though they split almost 70 years ago and despite being a fully fledged democracy, the island has never declared a formal split from the mainland.

Beijing has said any Taiwanese move towards a declaration of independence would prompt a military response.

The new premier, William Lai (pic), is currently mayor of the southern city of Tainan, a stronghold of Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The doctor-turned-lawmaker has repeatedly stated his support for Taiwan’s independence in media interviews and city council meetings.

His appointment yesterday could further sour relations between Beijing and Taipei.

China cut official communications with Taiwan after Tsai took office in May last year after she refused to acknowledge that the island is part of “one China”, unlike her Beijing-friendly predecessor Ma Ying-jeou.

Beijing is highly suspicious of Tsai and DPP, which is traditionally pro-independence. “To Beijing, Lai’s appointment is one more unfriendly gesture by Tsai’s government and adds to the proof that she is not keen to improve cross-strait ties,” said Yang Kai-huang, a cross-strait expert at Ming Chuan University.

Tsai said she hoped Lai would deliver “good results” and praised him for being in tune with public opinion.

Lai will take up the position on Friday after Tsai accepted the resignation of unpopular premier Lin Chuan on Monday, a move seen as an attempt to revive dwindling public support for her administration.

The government’s popularity has been hit by a series of controversial policies ranging from holiday cuts to pension reforms, as well as by worsening relations with China.

Harvard-educated Lai has won praise for his efficient management of Tainan, including his handling of the aftermath of an earthquake last year that killed 116 people.

Earlier this year, he seemed to temper his pro-independence message by saying he defined relations between Taiwan and China as “between friends”, but still regularly advocated a split.

“I will shoulder the responsibilities to continue to deepen Taiwan’s reforms and transformations,” he told reporters yesterday.