Zhang Guowei removed from post as Lin Baoshui appointed EVA Air chairman, insists: Everything is legal

▲Former EVA Air chairman Lin Baoshui has resumed the position of chairman. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong, same below)

Reported by Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Taipei

EVA Air held an interim board meeting today (March 11), announcing that former chairman Lin Baoshui has returned to the role of chairman. Zhang Guowei retains his seat as a director representing Huaguang Investment, while Nie Guowei has been replaced by Ko Chen-cheng, General Manager of EVA Air’s China region, as the airline's spokesperson. The company also held a press conference after the board meeting to provide a public explanation.

▲Former EVA Air chairman Lin Baoshui has resumed the position of chairman. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong, same below)

Before today’s interim board meeting, Zhang Guowei issued a three-point statement through his lawyer in response, pointing out that the procedures for convening the board meeting were illegal and violated previous interpretations by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He also expressed regret that the legal heirs did not follow the late President Chang Yung-fa’s wishes.

▲Former EVA Air chairman Zhang Guowei (Photo / Provided by Business Weekly)

Newly appointed chairman Lin Baoshui emphasized that due to the passing of President Chang Yung-fa, it was necessary to reassign directors. All procedures at today’s interim board meeting were lawful, and the three independent directors supported the outcome. Today, General Manager Zheng Chuan-yi personally attended the board meeting, while former chairman Zhang Guowei only sent a representative. However, when facing external questions about the procedures and timing, neither Lin Baoshui nor Ko Chen-cheng were willing to elaborate on the details of the voting content or method during the meeting, stating that further announcements would be made.

▲New EVA Group spokesperson Ko Chen-cheng

Lin Baoshui joined the EVA Group in 1976 and has served in companies such as Evergreen Marine, Evergreen Information Technology, and EVA Air. He served as EVA Air’s general manager from 2002 to 2004 and was promoted to chairman from 2005 to 2011. Currently the chairman of Evergreen Steel, Lin Baoshui also achieved a record earnings per share of NT$3.69 for EVA Air in 2010. Lin Baoshui stated that EVA Air will return to being managed by professional executives and continue to provide better flight safety and service quality.