Taipei: Taiwan’s new premier Frank Hsieh was sworn in on Tuesday, pledging to seek reconciliation with the opposition after several bitterly fought elections have divided the people. Hsieh vowed to push for cooperation with opposition parties. “We have to push for dialogues with other parties and to start communication and negotiations.”

Hsieh also made a minor reshuffle of his cabinet appointing two new members, including justice minister Shih Mao-lin. He has yet to name a vice premier and the two cabinet appointments remain to be endorsed by the parliament. The new parliament reelected Wang Jin-pyng from the main opposition as speaker. — AFP