Liu's Cabinet resigns en masse

A new Cabinet headed by Wu Den-yih was scheduled to assume office in the afternoon.

Liu said he expects all the members of his Cabinet, those leaving and those who have been retained, to continue to use their professional abilities in the service of society.

He expressed his gratitude to the officials for their teamwork, which he said helped the Cabinet to achieve various policy objectives in the areas of economics and cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

The outgoing premier said that throughout his working life he has always tried to do his job to the best of his ability. Despite the various difficulties and the criticisms that he encountered as premier, he stuck to the principle of implementing policies that are in the interests of the people, he said.

Liu later shook hands with each Cabinet member and bid them farewell individually.

Minister of Justice Wang Ching-feng, Minister of the Sports Affairs Council Tai Hsia-ling and Minister of the Council of Labor Affairs Wang Ju-hsuan, three of the female members who were retained, could not hold back their tears.

Upon the conclusion of the formal resignation process, Liu conferred medals on the outgoing officials in recognition of their contributions.

The honors were conferred on Vice Premier Chiu Cheng-hsiung, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Hsieh Hsiang-chuan, Minister without Portfolio Chen Tain-jy, Minister of the Interior Liao Liou-yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francisco H.L. Ou, Minister of National Defense Chen Chao-min, Minister of Education Cheng Jei-cheng, Minister of Economic Affairs Yiin Chii-ming, Central Personnel Administration Minister Chen Ching-hsiou, and Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Chang Jen-hsiang.

Following the resignation, Liu and his Cabinet members gathered in the Executive Yuan's plaza for a group photo.

Chen Ching-hsiou said he felt relaxed at leaving the work pressure behind. He said he plans to engage in academic research, writing, and studying Yi Jing and Laozi.

Francisco H.L. Ou, meanwhile, said he will become a "full-time husband" and spend more time with his family.

Asked about his future career plans, Cheng Jei-cheng, formerly president of National Chengchi University, said he "is retiring."

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