TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said Thursday (Aug. 29) that Cabinet Spokesperson Chen Shin-kai (陳世凱) will head the Ministry of Transport and Communication (MOTC).

The appointment followed the resignation of former MOTC Minister Li Meng-yen (李孟諺) due to personal reasons, per CNA.

Cho expressed confidence in Chen's ability to lead the MOTC, citing his work ethic and experience as a member of Taichung City Council's Traffic and Land Administration Committee. He praised Chen's political acumen and management skills.

However, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) questioned Chen's qualifications for the position. KMT Legislators Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇)  and Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) argued that Chen's experience was primarily as a spokesperson and there were more suitable candidates, such as former Taichung City Transportation Bureau Director Wang I-chuan (王義川), per United Daily News.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defended the appointment, with DPP Speaker Tai Wei-shian (戴瑋姍) praising Chen's managerial experience. However, Wang Hung-wei countered that Chen's lack of professional expertise could hinder his ability to effectively manage the MOTC.

Chen's appointment also caused a stir within the DPP, as Secretary General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) was rumored to be the frontrunner for the position, per Liberty Times. DPP members expressed surprise at Chen's appointment, as he was not considered part of the party's transportation circle and lacked experience in a major ministry.

The New Tide faction of the DPP pointed out that Chen had long been close to the faction's higher-ups and that his appointment as Cabinet spokesperson was a sign of Lai Ching-te’s (赖清德) trust. Some DPP members speculated that the appointment could be a way to appease dissatisfied northern New Tide members following the arrest of former Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), per Up Media.

Cabinet Deputy Spokesperson Hsieh Tzu-han (謝子涵) will assume Chen's position as Cabinet spokesperson.