47-year old new transport minister brushes off concerns about young age

47-year old new transport minister brushes off concerns about young age

2024-09-02

Taiwan has a new transport minister. It’s Chen Shih-kai, who previously served as Executive Yuan spokesperson. Chen was inaugurated in a ceremony on Monday, where he addressed concerns about his lack of relevant experience and young age. On the first front, he said the most important skills for the position were communication, coordination and leadership. About his age, he said that he wasn’t as young as the media made him out to be, referring to himself as a middle-aged man. The 47-year old said one of his priorities would be to help boost Taiwan tourism.

In a ceremony presided by Minister Without Portfolio Chen Chin-te, Chen Shih-kai was presented an official seal to be inaugurated as transport minister.

Chen Shih-kai
Transport minister
The top priority is the National Project of Hope unveiled by President Lai Ching-te. The main direction of our efforts is to promote human-centered mobility and to make Taiwan convenient. We will also do our utmost to promote and develop Taiwan tourism.

Before his appointment, Chen Shih-kai served as spokesperson for the Executive Yuan. Though he has experience in both local and central governments, critics have said he lacks the relevant experience in transportation to be minister. Some within the DPP have even said his appointment is meant to keep the so-called “demons” within the ministry in check.

Chen Chih-kai
Transport minister
When I see everyone here today, all I see are angels, not demons. As the head of this ministry, I think the key skills at play are communication, coordination and leadership. A lot of media outlets have drawn attention to my young age, casting doubt on whether I can take on this position. I would like to let you all in on something. I am not young, I am a middle-aged man.

Chen Shi-kai said communication, coordination and leadership skills were important assets for the position. He added that former transport ministers Lien Chan連戰 and Eugene Chien were also relatively young when they assumed office. Speaking on the decline of tourism in Hualien and Kenting, he said he would work closely with local governments to draw up revitalization plans. Minister Without Portfolio Chen Chin-te affirmed Chen Shi-kai was a good pick for the position.

Chen Chin-te
Minister without portfolio
He may appear soft on the outside, but inside, he is very strong. He looks very humble, and his is very efficient and clear when it comes to coordinating several government departments. I think Chen Shih-kai is a fine choice to fill in this position as transport minister.

The ceremony’s Q&A session with the media was interrupted by a protester calling for better working conditions for postal workers. The minister responded with a smile, saying that workers’ rights were on his mind. His quick response to the situation successfully defused a potentially awkward situation in his first official event as minister.

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新任交通部長陳世凱上任！喊話國家希望工程為首要任務

2024-09-02

行政院發言人陳世凱今天正式接任交通部長，由行政院政務委員陳金德監交印信交接，陳世凱喊話總統賴清德揭示的國家希望工程，是他上任最首要任務，面對外界質疑「太年輕」、「缺乏交通背景」，陳世凱笑喊自己是中年大叔，認為溝通協調和領導能力最重要，也有人說他是來壓部內牛鬼蛇神的，陳世凱喊話「部裡每個都是小天使」。

在行政院政務委員陳金德監交下，新任交通部長陳世凱，從代理部長陳彥伯手中接下印信，正式上任。

[[新任交通部部長陳世凱]]
“總統所揭示的台灣希望工程，這個部分是最首要的任務。所謂的人本交通，跟便捷台灣的方向的努力，是我們首要要為人民所做的事情。我們也會用很大的力氣，來努力台灣觀光的發展跟推動”

陳世凱原任行政院發言人，歷經地方與中央歷練而當上部長，被外界質疑他缺乏交通相關歷練，黨內還有人說他是來壓部內牛鬼蛇神，但他輕鬆以對。

[[新任交通部部長陳世凱]]
“我今天在部裡面看到的，每一個都是小天使，都不是牛鬼蛇神。作為這個部會首長，最重要的關鍵的能力，我認為是溝通，我認為是協調，我認為是還有領導能力。那麼多的媒體朋友很關注的是，陳世凱這麼年輕，怎麼可以來擔任這個位置，我來跟大家報告其實我並不年輕，我是一個中年大叔”

陳世凱認為溝通協調和領導能力最重要，直言過去連戰和簡又新上任交通部長時也很年輕，面對花蓮甚至墾丁觀光人氣慘跌，陳世凱喊話中央和地方一起努力提振觀光，前來監交的政委陳金德也讚賞這位新部長。

[[行政院政務委員陳金德]]
“我認為他是一個外柔內剛，他看起來非常謙遜，看他跟部會的協調都非常有效率很明確，所以我認為陳部長會是一個非常適任，非常好的交通部的部長”

交接典禮發生小插曲，媒體聯訪時，有陳情民眾亂入，說要為中華郵政勞工爭取權益，陳世凱當面微笑回應，心裡面一定有勞工，隨即上工趕赴任內首次會議，化解尷尬場面。

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The jeweler says de-dollarization is a factor that’s pushing up gold prices constantly. In the past six months, the price of gold has shot up from US$1,994 per ounce on Feb. 15 to US$2,527 per ounce on Aug. 30. Though the price fell back somewhat on Monday, an expert from the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance expects the rally to continue.

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The Fed is expected to cut interest rates in September, a move that could drive the U.S. dollar down, and gold up. Considering the big price differences between gold jewelry and gold bars, it’s best to consider trends thoroughly before buying in.

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An underwater technician dons a heavy diving helmet and tank. Altogether, the gear weighs as much as 40kg.

Not only does he have to carry all that weight, he’s underwater to hand solder, using electric tools. To say it’s dangerous is an understatement. This episode of “The Soul of the Craftsman” features underwater technician Huang Chien-chi of the Navy. He’s also writing a training manual so that others in the command can work safely underwater.

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Lai Ching-te
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The helmet alone weighs 15kg. The underwater solderer faces double the risk of diving and using electric tools underwater. It really is incredible. Tomorrow, Sept. 3, is the Armed Forces Day. On behalf of the country, I’d like to thank our military officers, for safeguarding our territory and our people’s lives and livelihoods, day in and day out.

Ahead of his first Armed Forces Day as president, Lai expressed gratitude to the military for their service tirelessly safeguarding the country.

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