Defense Minister Is Surprise Choice as Taiwanese Premier

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s newly elected president made his first major appointment Wednesday, naming the popular, straight-talking defense minister as his premier.

Tang Fei could calm fears that President-elect Chen Shui-bian’s government will be dangerously lacking in expertise when it comes to protecting this vulnerable island 100 miles off China’s coast.

Before Chen was elected March 18, his opponents relentlessly warned voters that the former Taipei mayor and his small opposition Democratic Progressive Party lacked the experience to deal with Beijing. Since the Communists captured China in 1949, Taiwan has refused to be ruled by the mainland. China wants the two sides to reunify and has repeatedly threatened to attack if Taiwan tries to split permanently. Tensions are still high, and a conflict could involve the United States.

China did not immediately comment on Tang’s appointment.

Chinese leaders might be relieved with Chen’s choice because Tang is someone they are familiar with and, as a longtime member of the military, he would be more likely to favor reunification.

Chen’s decision was a surprise to many who believed that the premier would probably be Taiwan’s sole Nobel Prize winner, Lee Yuan-tseh. Chen seemed to be aggressively courting the respected chemist known for his nonpartisanship and commitment to developing Taiwan.