TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung is set to become the new foreign minister, according to a report from the Liberty Times on Thursday (April 11). The report indicates that Lin will meet with President-elect Lai Ching-te for the third time this afternoon.
Despite having his expectations, Lin decided to follow the team and fully support Lai's administration due to Lai's sincerity and repeated emphasis on the importance of the future work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The China Times also reported that since the end of March, Lai has had three in-depth discussions with Lin, hoping to leverage his past experiences as a mayor, Minister of Transportation, and his role in the national security system, as well as his steady speech and good communication skills.
Some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members also revealed that Lin, a Yale University graduate, is familiar with U.S. affairs. In addition to his experience as a visiting scholar at the United Nations and his tenure as an ambassador-at-large in Japan, Lin is also well-versed in New Southbound Policy affairs.
His diplomatic approach towards cross-strait relations, his mild personality, and steady speech make him well-suited for the role of foreign minister.