Former premier Frank Hsieh has been appointed by President Tsai Ing-wen as Taiwan’s representative to Japan. That’s according to the Presidential Office Friday.
In an interview with Japanese media in late April, Hsieh said the appointment signals the president’s emphasis on Taiwan-Japan ties since he is a political appointee, not a career diplomat.
A founding member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Hsieh was one of those who named the party when it was founded about 30 years ago.
Hsieh was Kaohsiung mayor from 1998 to 2005. He was appointed premier by former president Chen Shui-bian in February 2005 and held the position for around a year.
Hsieh was the DPP’s presidential candidate in 2008 but was defeated by Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT).