Taipei: Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Frank Wu announced Thursday that he will step down at the end of the year. Wu made the announcement during a joint board meeting, stating he will remain in office until the afternoon of Dec. 31 and that it was his last time presiding over the meeting. The SEF is a semi-official organization tasked by Taiwan’s government with handling technical matters involving China.

According to Focus Taiwan, Wu revealed that President Lai Ching-te met with him on Dec. 12 to discuss personnel matters at the foundation. Out of consideration for the president’s staffing plans, Wu agreed to step aside. Wu assumed the SEF chairmanship after being elected by its board of directors and supervisors on Nov. 4 last year and has served in the role for 13 months.

Information previously published on the SEF website highlights Wu’s extensive career, noting his 18-year tenure as editor-in-chief and president of the Independence Evening Post. Additionally, Wu was elected twice as a National Assembly representative and has held various positions, including chairman of Public Television Service, minister without portfolio in the Executive Yuan, and Control Yuan member. There is currently no information on who will succeed him.