New Straits Exchange Foundation chairman appointed / 前外長田弘茂 將出任海基會董事長　　　　　　　　　　

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-Mao has been appointed the new chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Tien said he is willing to take on this challenging task. However, he was considered to have a pro-independence leaning, and this may pose a problem in cross-strait relations. China's Taiwan Affairs Office responded to Tien's appointment by reiterating that the 1992 consensus is the sole basis for all cross-strait negotiation mechanisms. The Presidential Office announced on Aug. 31st that the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-Mao will be the new chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation. Tien was interviewed at the airport before he departed for Singapore to give a lecture. He said he will do his utmost to take on the challenging task. ==TIEN HUNG-MAO, SEF Chairman-Designate== This is a great challenge. I hope to resolve the tension between both sides. I am very optimistic about the prospect. (What about the 1992 consensus?) I think I should leave that question to the high level officials. Tien Hung-Mao is 78 years old and currently the chairman of the Institute for National Policy Research. He headed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the Chen administration and also served as the Taipei's representative in Britain and an adviser to the Presidential Office. The Mainland Affairs Council said they will inform Beijing of Tien's appointment through the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. However, the Taiwan Affairs Office emphasized that the 1992 consensus is still the basis for cross-strait negotiations. Tien pushed for Taiwan's bid to join the United Nations and the addition of the word "Taiwan" on the passport cover during his tenure as the foreign minister, and is thus seen as leaning towards pro-independence. Some believe his appointment shows the president's predicament in selecting officials for cross-strait relations. ==TANG SHAO-CHENG, Institute of International Relations, Chengchi University== The president has consulted KMT politicians, but they were not very responsive. Tien's leaning is deep green, which will be sending a message to Beijing, so I don't think the SEF can achieve much. Chinese scholar Ni Yong-Jie said Tien's appointment is a key signal in cross-strait relations. It shows that President Tsai is deviating from the course and aligning herself with the deep green camp. ==NI YONG-JIE, CASS Institute of Taiwan Studies== She might be making the same mistake as Chen Shiu-Bian did by aligning herself with the deep green camp. This is a sign of danger for cross-strait relations. Scholars said Beijing will keep a close eye on how Tien conducts cross-strait affairs, as well as the presidential speech on the coming National Day celebration in Oct. If Beijing is unhappy with Taiwan's stance, they may impose economic restraints on Taiwan, and more diplomatic wrangling will be expected. TRANSLATED BY：CHRISTINA LIU 總統蔡英文承諾8月底公布海基會董事長人事，31號深夜總統府發布人事案，由前外交部長田弘茂接掌海基會，田弘茂1號上午搭機赴星演講，在登機前受訪表示，對兩岸交流將義不容辭承擔挑戰。 ==準海基會董事長 田弘茂== 有高度的挑戰性 期待會化解 我是抱持比較 樂觀進取積極的態度 來接這個工作 （九二共識的部分)這個 我看先由高層 先來回答比較好 田弘茂78歲，現任國策院基金會董事長兼院長，前總統陳水扁任內出任外交部長，過去也曾擔任駐英代表和行政院顧問等經歷，陸委會表示，田弘茂人事將透過海協會告知陸方，但國台辦對田弘茂接掌海基會，仍重申九二共識的政治基礎，海基海協的協商機制才能延續，由於田弘茂在外交部長任內，推動台灣入聯，並提議在護照上加註台灣，外界視為立場偏獨，而學者認為，海基會人事一波三折，由田弘茂出任，也凸顯蔡英文的兩岸用人困境。 ==政大國關中心研究員 湯紹成== 他找藍營的人 那藍營不願來答腔 把(田弘茂)歸類為綠營可能稍微 還要更偏綠一點 那這樣子的話 這個訊號發出去了以後 海基會就只剩下傳真機的功能 中國大陸涉台學者倪永杰認為，田弘茂人事案對兩岸關係是重要信號，凸顯蔡英文偏離兩岸原有路線，與深綠靠攏。 ==中國社科院台研所副所長 倪永杰== 有可能重蹈當年陳水扁的覆轍 要跟深綠緊密接觸在一起 這個對兩岸關係 是一個危險的信號 學者表示，陸方不看好田弘茂出任海基會，但仍會觀察其上任後的言行，十月國慶總統文告發表內容，若不符期待，除了經貿限制，不排除還會再掀起外交角力戰。 記者 李曉儒 吳嘉堡 台北報導