The China Post
Date: September 20, 2016
By: Stephanie Chao

TAIPEI, Taiwan — The latest Cabinet reshuffle, which has seen Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsu Kuo-yung named Cabinet spokesman, has been viewed as an attempt to build support for a Taipei City mayoral campaign and as a bid to rekindle public support for Premier Lin Chuan.

Taipei City Councilor Wang Hong-wei told reporters that Hsu’s appointment reflected the DPP’s plans to draw battle lines for the 2018 nationwide mayoral and magisterial elections.

It has also been viewed as a move to reinvigorate Lin’s sinking opinion polls by weeding out poor-performing officials.

The speculation follows the release of an Executive Yuan statement Sunday, which stipulated that Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan would be replaced by Hsu on Oct. 1. Tung will instead serve as National Security Council adviser.     [FULL  STORY]