President, Executive Yuan (Premier) Chao-shiuan Liu of Taiwan

Liu was born in Liuyang, Hunan in 1943.

Liu is also an author, and has published a novel of ancient Chinese rovers practicing martial arts.

Liu was subsequently served as Minister of Transportation from 1993 to 1996; and then Vice-Premier from 1997 to 2000.

In April 2008, Liu was asked by current President Ma Ying-jeou to serve as the Premier of the Republic of China.

During the past eight years when the Kuomintang (KMT) was out of power, Liu built strong connections with the ethnic Chinese scientific community.

In office less than a month, 65-year-old Liu has already posted many firsts.

Leading the Cabinet for the first time, Liu is already fighting with his back against the wall.

Since I am serving as premier, I'm not afraid to be rebuked, Liu says firmly in an exclusive interview with CommonWealth Magazine.

For example, when Liu was misquoted as saying that green card holders have an international outlook, the government failed to issue a timely correction.

Liu said that with previous advantages, Taiwan might have the chance to lure in high-tech professionals from China's mainland to Taiwan.

Liu is worrying that the heavy politics practiced by Taiwan New Authorities have laid too much stress on ideology, and so the high-tech exchanges across the Straits may have difficulties to go ahead.

Addressing the meeting, Liu said that reform of the current tax system to develop a more equitable and logical one will allow for better utilization of Taiwan's high-quality human resources as part of the effort to achieve economic growth in the face of globalization and competition from emerging economies.

Liu said that in order to build a better tax system to tackle Taiwan's financial woes, the central and local governments need to trim debts totalling more than NT4 trillion (US131.

Liu said the zone was still in the planning process, and declined to give details such as where it would be, or what kinds of facilities or incentives it might offer to companies that set up shop there.

The government has been unveiling a steady stream of economic-boosting measures since Ma took office in MayLiu said those included T500 billion worth of infrastructure spending over the next four years; T200 billion to boost industry competitiveness and T85.

Separately, Liu said that the economics ministry was still working with the islands DRAM memory chip makers, which have posted massive losses in recent quarters amid the global sectors worst-ever downturn.

Premier Liu said that, in this age of globalization, people.

Liu says as long as they have mapped out the policies for easing rules, executive measures and coordination will be relatively easier.

Liu said gasoline prices could be raised again in July as the fuel price hike announced on Tuesday covered only 60 per cent of the recent increase in crude prices.

Liu was joined by Council for Economic Planning and Development Chairman Chen Tain-jy, Interior Minister Liao Liou-yi, Minister of Finance Lee Sush-der, Government Information Office Minister Su Jun-pin.

Premier Liu praised Hon Hai`s new town plan, saying it will set up a paradigm of pursuing bold dream for Taiwanese people.

Liu was vice premier between December 1997 and May 2000 when current vice president-elect Vincent Siew had served as premier in the KMT administration.

Liu said Yin Chi-ming, who stepped down as vice minister of economic affairs in September 2005, will be appointed a minister in that department.

transport minister before becoming vice premier.

Liu received praise for his handling of disaster relief projects following Taiwan's worst earthquake in September 1999 that left some 2,400 people dead.

Known for his scholarly image, Liu was president of Tsinghua University before serving in various government posts, including as transport minister and national science council chief.

I agreed to serve as the premier of the new government,” Liu said yesterday when approached for comment at the university.

Liu said he would further discuss the details with Ma and finalize the lineup of the new Cabinet by the end of this month.

Admitting that his decision had met opposition from his family, Liu said he would try to persuade them to support his decision.

Liu had taken off his jacket in response to a request from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lu Shiow-yen.

Taiwan’s wealth was said to be ankle deep, while people had numerous opportunities to become rich,” Liu said in his first administrative report to the legislature.

Liu said he expected the Cabinet to prioritize financial issues in the face of keen international competition as well as take care of other aspect of people’s lives.

The premier began his report, however, with an apology.

Stressing that the government will subsidize 70 percent of the price hike, Liu said he had asked the Council of Agriculture to maintain a stable supply of fertilizer to meet farmers’ needs.

Liu said more policies to stabilize soaring commodity prices will be implemented soon, including a thorough review of the tax system and creation of more jobs by activating the “i-Taiwan 12 infrastructure construction projects” that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) promoted during the presidential campaign.

Liu said the government would continue to provide childcare subsidies for working parents and would consider offering allowance to children.

Liu had served as chairman of the National Science Council and transport minister before becoming vice premier.

Liu said the ministers were chosen because of "their integrity and their past job achievements.

Liu has announced a strong economics team for the Cabinet, heavy with former officials who have expertise in managing the economy.

Liu was speaking during an inspection of the Houfeng bridge in central Taiwan, which links Taichung County's Houli township with Fengyuan City.