Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday said he was sorry that Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Minister Chang Juu-en (張祖恩) is leaving the Cabinet and praised Chang's contribution.
"I love having him here and I was hoping to keep him on the team. However, I must respect his decision although I have tried to persuade him not to resign," Hsieh said.
"As for the candidate who will take over his position, I will make a decision on that as soon as possible and announce it to the public," he said.
Chang filed his resignation late on Wednesday afternoon. Due to career considerations and family members' expectations, Chang said he decided to return to his previous post as an environmental engineering professor at National Cheng Kung University.
Chang took the agency's helm in October 2003, when former head Hau Lung-bin (
In April 2001, Hau invited Chang to serve as his deputy. According to the law, the maximum term for a professor to be temporarily transferred to the government is four years. Chang thus resigned from the EPA to return to his previous position at the university.
"I understand that university post is `a hot spot' for people in the field. Chang has a chance to do it, so it is natural for him to take that opportunity while he can. As a result, although I really like his work, I still have to let him go," the premier said.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
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