Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Li-yan Hsia Resigns

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Li-yan Hsia Resigns

Source: All Taipei Newspapers

August 18, 2009

Typhoon Morakot wreaked serious damage in southern Taiwan. The public criticized the government’s response in the face of the current disaster, and the Ma administration became caught up in a severe political storm. One target of criticism was the Foreign Ministry, as it had sent a telegram to all its missions abroad saying that they should politely decline offers of relief supplies from foreign countries and only accept monetary donations. Consequently, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrew Li-yan Hsia turned in his resignation yesterday, which was accepted by Premier Liu. Hsia became the first public official to resign his post as a result of the typhoon-triggered disasters.

Hsia confirmed last night that he had turned in his resignation yesterday morning to Foreign Minister Francisco Ou. Hsia stressed that after the contents of the cable caused public controversy, the Foreign Ministry had repeatedly explained to the public that the Ministry had sought advice from the competent agencies, and sent the cable on that basis. However, the media deemed the Foreign Ministry’s explanation unacceptable, Hsia added. Hsia continued that because his decision to send the cable to our overseas missions had given the government a blackeye, he decided that he could not shirk his responsibility. As a political appointee, the best way to take responsibility for the controversy was to resign his post, Hsia said. 

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