Taiwan has appointed a new head for its policy-making body with China.

A statement published in Taiwan's executive branch website identifies Andrew Hsia as the new Minister of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, the body that handles cross-strait policies with China. The statement cites Hsia's 'extensive administrative experience and policy-implementation capabilities' as the qualities that were considered in appointing Hsia to the post.

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Hsia is a military official and is currently Taiwan's Deputy Minister of National Defense. He was also a former deputy minister of foreign affairs in Taiwan.

As the new Minister of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), his job involves the promotion of cross-strait relations with China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO).

Hsia's appointment comes, after MAC's former head, Wang Yu-chi, had threatened to resign. Wang was protesting a Taiwan court's acquittal of a former deputy who had been accused of leaking confidential information to Mainland China.

Ma Xiaoguan, China's spokesperson for TAO, says he hopes Hsia's appointment will sustain the 'positive interactions' between Taiwan and China, as quoted by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Cross-strait business between Taiwan and China has been described as "most extensive" in six decades. This is being attributed to the administration of Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou, who is seen as "friendly" to China.

Taiwanese voters, however, apparently do not share this sentiment. The ruling Nationalist Party took a beating in recent elections and the government's handling of the Taiwan-China cross-strait relations is said to have affected the political party's performance at the polls.

Prior to the electoral exercise, students and activists held weeks-long occupation of Taiwan's legislature to block a trade deal with China.

TagsTaiwan, Mainland Affairs Council, Andrew Hsia