Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Vice Chairman Kao Koong-lian (高孔廉) yesterday confirmed that he has tendered his resignation, and is to leave the post on Feb. 6, reportedly without a next posting in place.
Kao, who has held the SEF position since 2008, said he had long planned to retire from the foundation when former SEF chairman Chiang Ping-kung (江丙坤) resigned two years ago. He denied that his resignation was a result of problematic relations with SEF Chairman Lin Join-sane (林中森).
“I am honored to have been involved in cross-strait developments over the past 20 years. I have no career plans following my resignation and my retirement will bring a generational change to the field,” he said.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Kao worked with President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) in the Executive Yuan handling cross-strait affairs when Ma served on the Research, Development and Evaluation Committee. Kao also served as deputy minister of the Mainland Affairs Council.
He yesterday thanked Ma and Chiang for their recognition of his efforts in cross-strait developments, and again said he did not have problematic relations with Lin.
The Presidential Office said yesterday that Ma had been briefed about Kao’s resignation last week, and Ma approved his resignation.
Kao said yesterday that he reached a consensus with the government that he would leave the post soon after Chiang’s resignation. He had offered his resignation in September last year, but did not leave for various reasons.
Lin yesterday also dismissed reports of a problematic relationship between him and Kao, and said Kao had told him about his retirement plans since he took over as chairman.
“Everyone knows that we have cooperated seamlessly and fulfilled our duties,” he said.
SEF Deputy Secretary-General Ma Shaw-chang (馬紹章) or National Policy Foundation committee member Cheng An-kuo (鄭安國) are thought to be likely successors to the post.
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