Taiwanwill choose its top China negotiator as its next premier for lack of other job candidates as the former premier leaves to ease tension in the ruling party ahead of the 2008 presidential race. Chang Chun-hsiung, chairperson of the Straits Exchange Foundation, will replace Su Tseng-chang, who announced on Saturday he would step down.

Typhoon Saomai moved closer to Taiwan’s capital on Wednesday, with landfall expected on Thursday morning, as a tropical storm fizzled at the south end of the island and another changed its course, veering toward the east of Japan. Saomai approached from the east with sustained winds of 155kph and gusts up to 191kph.