As soon as the information that President Lee Teng-hui had nominated Lee Huan to become Premier had come out, there was approval on all sides. Even the contentious Legislative Yuan reached rare consensus, approving the nomination with 86.8% of the votes.

It is generally believed that given Lee Huan's broad experience and popular base, he is the best man for the job, and it is hoped that Lee can organize a "potent cabinet" to blaze new trails in a time of transition.

Members of the Democratic Progressive Party, being in the opposition, cast all their ballots against the nomination. But privately many believe Lee is a suitable choice. Kang Ning-hsiang has noted that Lee Huan was a key implementer of Chiang Ching-kuo's "Taiwanization" policy and has close links to Taiwan society.

Lee's ability to win approbation from the opposition is based on his liberal style. In an introductory tea party hosted by the KMT, Lee expressed his views on democracy to the attending DPP members. He said the KMT is a competitor, not a controller, and would stand on the same basis as other parties to fight for the people's support and the good of the nation. This pronouncement won the applause of DPP legislators.

But with support come expectations. Given Lee's past style, we can see where these expectations come from.

Currently the country faces many problems, such as crazy rises in property prices, stocks, and commodity prices, and infrastructure is seriously lagging. The root lies in there being no way to push forward policy. Thus Lee's patience and ability in "thorough implementation of policy" is widely praised.

For example, in the 1960's when the late President Chiang Ching-kuo put forth his "Taiwanization" policy, this met strong opposition from party conservatives. It was thoroughly implemented under Lee Huan's efforts, bringing young Taiwan-born elites into the party, so that the transition in power could be done stably and peacefully.

The ability to cooperate is his main tool for solving problems. After the death of Chiang Ching-kuo, there were fears Taiwan would change drastically. As KMT Secretary-General, Lee ignored his own interests and harmonized all sectors of the government and party to assist Lee Teng-hui to become the successor in the leadership structure, allowing the party and government to proceed without a hitch and move stably forward with reform.

In three recent reports before the Legislative Yuan on the main goals of his administration, Lee maintained a low profile during interpellation, saying, "We are not magicians, and we can't produce lions and tigers with the wave of a wand. We must move forward step by step, and complete things one by one." He repeatedly referred to himself as a "new hand," saying, "I've only been in office two weeks" or "the legislator's question is very concrete, but we are here to talk about directions; I must take it back to look into it."

This deliberate low profile left those legislators looking for a strong leader dissatisfied. However, aside from the fact that this indicates the strongman era is over, it is also a manifestation of Lee's cautious, self-effacing style.

In 1977, Lee was simultaneously Director of the KMT Organization Department, Director of the China Youth Corps, and Director of the Sun Yat-sen Institute on Policy Research and Development. His political life had reached its apogee. But because Hsu Hsin-liang, whom Lee had cultivated under the Taiwanization policy, bolted the KMT to run for Taoyuan County magistrate, and the "Chungli incident" occurred during that election, Lee resigned to accept responsibility. He became the first President of the new Sun Yat-sen University.

As university president, he never openly discussed controversial political issues, nor did he do so on trips abroad. Even when he became Minister of Education, he rarely talked about problems beyond education policy.

This attitude of being, as Confucious said "unwilling to comment on something which is not one's own concern," a deliberate downplaying of strength externally, allowed him to win much praise and respect. So you can understand his low profile performance upon becoming premier.

Further, at his first meeting of the Executive Yuan, he specially used the metaphor of an "orchestra" to stress the importance of team spirit. He said the government must be like an orchestra; everyone must play together and there is no room for solos. From this you can see Lee plans to avoid having too visible a personal image.

However, Lee is by no means looking for a "transitional cabinet." He says that "transitional" is like a "blank space" or a musical "rest." But government work is continuous.

In fact, Lee has never had a "transitional" attitude in handling things. Even when his political career reached its low ebb and he became responsible for planning Sun Yat-sen University, he never took the task lightly. His making of something from nothing, turning the university into a first-class institution, became a widely praised achievement. Some people believe his performance there was a major factor in his political comeback.

Currently the problem that most concerns people about the new cabinet is that Lee has little experience in economics or finance. How would he deal with the ever-more complex economic problems of the ROC ?

However, his choice of Wang Chao-ming, Chairman of the Board of the Taiwan Power Company, to be his cabinet secretary, was a master stroke. Wang served with Yin Chung-jung, K.T. Li, Chao Yao-tung, and other famous leading figures in the world of economics and finance. He can rely on a rich background and thirty years' training at mediating views to handle the coordination and communications among the various economic and financial ministries. This will enable Premier Lee to focus on mapping out the nation's political and economic future.

Another theory says that the "Dual Lees" structure of President Lee and Premier Lee will be an excellent combination. Given cooperation between a powerful president and a powerful premier, it is only a matter of time for them to clear the way for a potent future for Taiwan.

Mr. Lee Huan

Academic Background:

National Fuhtan University

Bachelor of Laws, National Chengchi University, 1944

The Graduate Division, Central Political Cadre College, 1945

Master of Arts in Education, Columbia University, U.S.A., 1956

Honorary Ph.D., Tan Kok University, South Korea, 1978

Honorary LL.D., Sung Kyun Kwan University, South Korea, 1981

Career:

1946-1948 Director, Shenyang Daily Mews 1952-1977 China Youth Corps (successively Secretary General, Deputy Director, Director)

1962-1978 Professor, National Chengchi University

1967-1972 Chairman, National Youth Commission, Executive Yuan

1968-1972 Director, Taiwan Provincial Committee, Kuomintang

1972-1978 Director, Department of Organization Affairs, Kuomintang

1976-1978 Director, Sun Yat-sen Institute on Policy Research and De velopment

1978-1979 Professor, National Taiwan Normal University

1979-1984 President, National Sun Yet-sen University

1984-1987 Minister of Education

1987-1989 Secretary-General, Central Committee, Kuomintang

1988-　　Member of the Central Standing Committee, Kuomintang

June, 1989- Premier

[Picture Caption]

Following the ceremony for the turnover of the office from the old to th e new premier, successor Lee Huan (left) and his predecessor, Yu Kuo-hwa (right), leave the hall all smiles. (photo by Lily Huang)

The people have profound hopes for the new premier, Lee Huan. (photo by Vincent Chang)

When Lee Huan visited Kinmen, he gave his fountain pen to the drill team leader at the Lieyu primary school.

At last year's Thirteenth Congress, Lee Huan, who has served as Minister of Education, trades ideas with current Minister of Education Mao Kao-wen (left). (photo by Arthur Cheng)

Lee Huan and his wife, Pan Hsiang-ning.

The people have profound hopes for the new premier, Lee Huan. （photo by Vincent Chang）

When Lee Huan visited Kinmen, he gave his fountain pen to the drill team leader at the Lieyu primary school.

At last year's Thirteenth Congress, Lee Huan, who has served as Minister of Education, trades ideas with current Minister of Education Mao Kao-wen （left）. （photo by Arthur Cheng）

Lee Huan and his wife, Pan Hsiang-ning.