The Republic of China Presidential Office announced new appointments to the National Security Council today (1st). President Lai Ching-te appointed Taipei City Councilor Zhao Yixiang and Presidential spokesperson Li to the position of Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council, with the appointment taking effect immediately.
The Presidential Office of the Republic of China released a press release today, stating that to strengthen responses to international and regional situations, foreign hostile forces’ infiltration, and challenges in gray areas, President Lai Ching-te appointed four new members to the national security team. President Lai specially appointed former Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Xu Sijian, and former Deputy Secretary-General Liu Dejin as advisory members. Taipei City Councilor Zhao Yixiang and Presidential spokesperson Li were appointed as Deputy Secretaries-General of the National Security Council, with the appointments taking effect immediately.
Xu Sijian, an advisory member, is the current Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council. He has served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Executive Director of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, and Associate Researcher at the Institute of Political Science at the Academia Sinica, with a comprehensive academic and practical background in diplomacy, cross-strait politics, and other affairs.
Liu Dejin, an advisory member, is the current Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council. He has served as Chief Inspector General of the Ministry of National Defense, Deputy Commander of the Army, and Commander of the Eighth Army, with a wealth of experience in international military cooperation, intelligence analysis, and defense strategic analysis. Guo Yahui stated that both advisory members have made remarkable contributions to the national security affairs during the past few years of supporting former President Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai, receiving high praise.
Zhao Yixiang graduated from the Political Science Department of York University in Canada and obtained a Master’s degree in International Economic Law from Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. He has served as Director of the International Affairs Department of the Democratic Progressive Party, Research Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in the United States, and Chief of the Political Affairs Section at the Representative Office in the United States. Moreover, he has served in the Presidential Office, National Security Council, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participating in diplomatic and international political affairs, with extensive practical experience.
Li Wen, the current Presidential spokesperson, graduated from the Anthropology Department of National Taiwan University and obtained a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago in the United States. He has served as Director of the International Affairs Department of the Democratic Progressive Party, Chairman of the Lianjiang County Party Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party, spokesperson of the Central Party Headquarters, Deputy Director of the China Affairs Department, and has worked at the National Security Council and the Prospect Foundation, focusing on security strategy and international communication for many years.
Guo Yahui stated that President Lai hopes to leverage the rich experience and talents of the two advisory members in the fields of diplomacy and defense, as well as the innovative thinking of young professionals, to collectively enhance the operational capabilities of the national security team. President Lai also encouraged all members of the national security team to work diligently and continue to implement various key security tasks.