TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former transport minister and ex-Taichung mayor Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) will become Taiwan’s new foreign affairs minister, though one scholar believes foreign policy will be steered by more experienced Cabinet members, following in the same direction as President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文).

The Yale-educated Lin will replace Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) as Taiwan’s chief diplomat on May 20, following President-elect Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) inauguration. He will join a Cabinet of foreign affairs heavyweights, including Wu, who will move to the national defense portfolio, and Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), Taiwan’s former representative to the U.S.

Assistant Professor of Political Science at Taipei’s Soochow University Chen Fang-yu (陳方隅) told Taiwan News he believes Hsiao and Wu will dominate foreign affairs during the Lai administration, and policy will follow in the direction set under Tsai. “Lin won’t play a very big role in the foreign policy,” Chen said.

Chen, who provided the DPP with foreign policy advice before the election, said Lin may have ambitions to rise through party ranks. In addition, Chen said Lin may position himself for the next general election, so he is unlikely to make significant policy changes.

Chen said Lin, if not pulling the strings behind the scenes, will follow in Wu's footsteps as Taiwan's international spokesperson. As foreign minister, Wu gave frequent English language interviews to foreign media to make the case for Taiwan’s sovereignty and global status.

Chen said Lin may need time to learn how to communicate Taiwan’s story to international media, which he will do with the help of think tanks and foreign ministry staff. “Joseph Wu knows the importance of propaganda and international communication very well, and I think Lin Chia-lung will continue this – there’s no reason to stop,” he said.

The number of countries that hold diplomatic relations with Taiwan has dropped from 17 to 12 during Wu’s time in office. In an interview on Thursday, Wu said losing more diplomatic allies to China is a long-term concern.

Lin will have little scope to control this issue when he becomes foreign minister, according to Chen. He said Taiwan cannot change the “China factor,” as the country is too powerful.

“They will do their best to prevent the loss of diplomatic ties, but it’s not dependent on Taiwan. It all depends on U.S-China competition,” he said.