Taiwan announces partial Cabinet shakeup

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Taiwan's president has put two of his confidants in charge of the island's relations with the United States (US) and mainland China as part of a partial Cabinet shakeup.

President Ma Ying Jeou's office said on Thursday that Mr Wang Yu Chi will head the Mainland Affairs Council and Mr King Pu Tsung will be the island's new envoy to the US.

Mr Wang is a National Security Council adviser and Mr King a veteran campaign strategist for the ruling Nationalists.

Re-elected in January, Mr Ma has faced increasing public complaints that he has failed to improve the sluggish economy.