Ma’s silence draws opposition criticism

‘CALCULATED’:：The DPP said Ma betrayed a promise to defend Taiwan’s sovereignty with his silence at the KMT-CCP forum, while the TSU mulled another treason lawsuit
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Tue, Jul 31, 2012 - Page 1

The opposition yesterday criticized President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) silence on Beijing’s latest claim that “both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one country,” saying this was an obvious attempt to confine Taiwan within a “one China” framework.

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference chairman Jia Qinglin (賈慶林) gave the clearest definition of the “one China” framework thus far on Sunday at the eighth annual Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT)-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum in Harbin, China, saying that “Mainland [China] and Taiwan both belong to one country, so the relationship of both sides of the Taiwan Strait is not a nation-to-nation relationship.”

DPP demands KMT, Ma state position on Want Want

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday reiterated its opposition to a Want Want China Times Group merger and called for President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to handle the deal appropriately.

“The DPP, which has always advocated the freedom of the press and social justice, calls for the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] to express its position on the case and for Ma to handle the case with care,” DPP spokesperson Wang Min-sheng (王閔生) told a press conference.

DPP lawmaker calls for more research on critical issues

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Systematic research and policy formulation on critical issues such as free-trade agreements (FTA) are important for Taiwan and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), according to DPP Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴).

“We talk about [signing] FTAs all the time, but the first question we have to ask is why we need them and whether we are prepared to deal with the impact of the free trade system,” Hsiao said in a recent interview with the Taipei Times.

Not only President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who has pledged to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) within eight years, and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) have failed to address the issue, she said, but the DPP has also been guilty of not really addressing the issue.

Most Taiwanese do not trust Ma, Wu or senior officials: survey

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A majority of respondents found neither President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) nor Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) credible and do not trust the fairness of law enforcement officials, according to the results of a survey carried out by Taiwan Indicate Survey Research (TISR) which was released yesterday.

The research, conducted on Monday and Tuesday, found that only 32.7 percent of respondents said they trust Ma while 53.1 percent said they do not trust the president.

Only 24.3 percent of those polled found Wu, who has been embroiled in an alleged corruption case centered around former Legislative Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世), credible, while 60.6 percent said the vice president is not trustworthy.

TSU files complaint over referendum bid

RULE OF LAW?The party said Taiwan’s reputation was at stake, as it filed a complaint with the Control Yuan alleging illegal practices over the ban
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday filed a complaint with the Control Yuan alleging “illegal practices” by government agencies after its application to hold a referendum on the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) was rejected.

The party demanded an investigation into the Central Election Commission, the Referendum Review Committee and the Ministry of the Interior in the complaint, which was filed yesterday afternoon by TSU Secretary-General Lin Chih-chia (林志嘉).

DPP wants media takeover deal voided

‘MEDIA MONSTER’:Allowing Want Want China Times Group to acquire a major cable TV firm will jeopardize Taiwan’s media freedoms, the political party said
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said the conditional approval of a deal allowing Want Want China Times Group to acquire cable television service provider China Network Systems (CNS) was unfortunate and demanded that the government declare the deal void.

The National Communications Commission (NCC) announced on Wednesday night that the NT$76 billion (US$2.52 billion) deal had been approved with three suspension clauses and a further 25 additional clauses following a closed-door meeting with Want Want China Times Group.

DPP blasts mega media merger deal

‘MEDIA MONSTER’:The party said that Want Want China Times Group could use its media clout to monitor people’s viewing habits and seek to influence their perceptions
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The National Communications Commission’s (NCC) conditional approval of a massive media merger on Wednesday marked the darkest day in the history of media freedom in the country and continued political interference in the media, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday.

The party “strongly opposed” the commission’s approval of Want Want China Times Group’s (旺旺中時集團) NT$76 billion (US$2.52 billion) acquisition of cable television service provider China Network Systems (CNS, 中嘉網路), which would create an intermedia monopoly, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said.

DPP wins itself ‘consolation prize’ in extra session

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The legislature’s extra session ended yesterday, with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus coming away the overall winner. However, opposition parties did have the consolation of having their priority bills placed on the top of the agenda for the next session.

In party negotiations yesterday, legislators agreed to prioritize a numbers of bills championed by the Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union caucuses in the next session, including amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures (財政收支劃分法), the Act Governing Relations Between the People Of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸人民關係條例), the Offshore Islands Development Act (離島建設條例) and the Assembly and Parade Act (集會遊行法), as well as a proposed law on the promotion of a nuclear-free homeland (非核家園推動法).

Assert sovereignty over disputed islands: DPP

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday urged President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to express Taiwan’s firm position on its sovereignty in the South China Sea after Beijing’s establishment of a military garrison in the region.

“Ma should condemn Beijing’s unilateral move, which jeopardized regional security, as Vietnam, the Philippines and the US have all expressed similar concerns,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said.

Legislature confirms NCC nominees

‘TYRANNY OF MAJORITY’:The DPP said there was interference in the vote by senior officials, that all the nominees were flawed and two had to resolve dual-nationality issues
By Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporter

After months of controversy, the legislature yesterday confirmed all four nominees for the National Communication Commission, the independent communications and information industry watchdog.

Among the four, Integral Investment Holdings Group general manager Chen Yuan-ling (陳元玲) barely passed the confirmation vote, with 58 “yes” votes, 50 “no” votes and four invalid votes.

Chen Shui-bian backers urge immediate release

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Supporters of imprisoned former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday submitted a petition to the Legislative Yuan calling for the physically and emotionally exhausted Chen to be immediately released from Taipei Prison, where he is serving a 17-and-a-half-year term on corruption charges.

“It doesn’t take a physician to understand that Chen is unhealthy if you’re able to meet him face-to-face,” Taipei Veterans General Hospital physician Kuo Cheng-deng (郭正典), who is part of a six-member task force comprised of physicians and rights advocates monitoring Chen’s health, told a press conference held outside the legislature.

Wang Jin-pyng rejects no-confidence motion

SPURIOUS PRETEXT:Opposition parties said legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng’s decision to reject their motion against the Cabinet was unconstitutional and illegal
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Opposition parties yesterday protested against the rejection by Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) of a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet, saying the decision was unconstitutional and that they would demand a constitutional interpretation.

The opposition submitted the proposal to begin the three-day extra session yesterday morning, with Wang immediately suspending the proceedings to convene a two-and-a-half-hour party negotiation.

Legislature votes to allow ractopamine

BEEF IMPORT ISSUE:：The vote was split along party lines, with KMT legislators voting for the amendment, while DPP, PFP and TSU lawmakers voted against it
By Chris Wang, Shih Hsiu-chuan and Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporters
Thu, Jul 26, 2012 - Page 1

The longstanding dispute over the livestock feed additive ractopamine seemed to have been resolved yesterday as amendments to related laws cleared the legislature, paving the way for the partial lifting of restrictions on imports of beef containing residues of the drug.

With a 63-46 vote along party lines, the nation is expected to adopt maximum residue levels (MRL) of 10 parts per million (ppm) for ractopamine, a standard favored by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).

DPP to reinstate China affairs body, Su says

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is extending its first olive branch toward China with the reinstatement of its Department of China Affairs, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday.

Su also gave people a clearer idea of his initiative, “the Taiwan consensus,” which was used by former chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) as the main theme of her China policy during her presidential campaign.

No-confidence vote on premier sought

‘SOMETHING DRAMATIC’:：DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming said the country has to be put back on the right track. Others question the timing of the proposal
By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporters
Wed, Jul 25, 2012 - Page 1

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said yesterday they would propose a no-confidence vote against the Cabinet today in an extra legislative session.

“We think that now is the best time, particularly amid the [former Executive Yuan secretary-general] Lin Yi-shih (林益世) scandal, to propose the vote, as Premier Sean Chen and his Cabinet have been a total failure and Chen is nothing more than President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) puppet,” DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) told a press conference. “Something dramatic has to be done to bring the country back on the right track, which is why we will propose the motion.”

Pig farmers, TSU call for continued ractopamine ban

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Pig farmers and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday called for zero tolerance on the animal feed additive ractopamine, with an imminent relaxation of regulations governing imports of meat containing residues of the drug appearing inevitable as an extra legislative session begins today.

“While the Codex Alimentarius Commission narrowly voted in favor of maximum residue levels [MRL] of ractopamine on July 5, the TSU insists on zero tolerance of the drug,” TSU caucus whip Hsu Chung-hsin (許忠信) told a joint press conference with representatives of pig farmers.

DPP set to reinstate China department

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is expected to reinstate the Department of China Affairs as its “first step toward positive and active engagement with China,” DPP spokesperson Wang Min-sheng (王閔生) said yesterday.

A proposal to reinstate the department, which was merged with the Department of International Affairs in August 2007, is scheduled to be discussed at a Central Executive Committee meeting today, Wang said.

Graft scandal widens in KMT

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members yesterday provided futher evidence in support of allegations that Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) hired a family member who was allegedly involved in the Lin Yi-shih (林益世) scandal to handle his political donations.

Hau Ying-chiao (郝英嬌), Wu’s sister-in-law, was in charge of his campaign finances and political donations in 1994, 1998, 2001 and 2004, DPP Legislator Chao Tien-lin (趙天麟) and DPP Central Executive Committee member Hung Chih-kun (洪智坤) said on Sunday and yesterday via Facebook messages.

Last-ditch talks ahead of extra session

UNRESOLVED ISSUES:：Legislators remain bitterly divided over a number of issues, including imports of pork with ractopamine and the imposition of a capital gains tax
By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters
Tue, Jul 24, 2012 - Page 1

Government officials yesterday made last-ditch efforts to call for resolutions to various long-running issues in the extra legislative session amid ongoing opposition from civic groups, opposition parties and some Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lawmakers.

An informal meeting is to be held this morning for lawmakers to formally launch a four-day extra session to decide whether to ease the ban on imports of beef containing traces of the livestock feed additive ractopamine and to levy a capital gains tax on securities transactions. A confirmation vote on four National Communications Commission nominees is also expected to be placed on the agenda, along with other matters.

Ma must help Chung: DPP

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday urged President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) to actively seek the release of Bruce Chung (鍾鼎邦), a Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioner who has been detained in China for more than a month. The DPP expressed its serious concern about Chung’s detainment and his family being kept from contacting him. “We urge the Ma administration to be responsible for the personal safety of Taiwanese,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference yesterday. Chung, a manager at a Hsinchu-based technology firm, went to Jiangxi Province to visit relatives on June 15 and was reportedly detained by Chinese police on June 18 “for hijacking the signal of a Chinese TV station in 2003 from Taiwan with the help of Chinese nationals,” according to China’s Xinhua news agency. As personal safety is expected to be an integral part of the cross-strait negotiations on an investment protection agreement next month, Lin said, Chung’s arrest was ironic and was a “touchstone” of how Beijing would protect Taiwanese businesspeople in China if the agreement was signed.

DPP is firm on China name issue

WHAT’S IN A NAME?The Democratic Progressive Party intends to keep ‘China’ in the names of two departments, not ‘cross-strait’, as Beijing wishes
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said it would carefully review the names of a pair of party institutions that handle Chinese affairs without succumbing to pressure from Beijing.

The party made the comments in response to a story published in yesterday’s edition of the Chinese-language Apple Daily, which reported that Beijing had pressured the DPP to drop “China” from the names of two soon-to-be-established departments and use “cross-strait” instead.

Chen merits proper care: Tsai Ing-wen

TRIP TO CHINA?Tsai said she would be happy to visit China, as long as there are no conditions attached, but the lack of an invite shows Beijing’s stance toward her
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The establishment of a medical team with credibility and expertise to look after imprisoned former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) would be in the interests of the country and society, former Democratic Progressive Party chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

Tsai made the remarks on the sidelines of a DPP event in Miaoli City in response to media inquiries following reports on Chen’s ill health.

Ma administration hurt by graft: poll

TIP OF THE ICEBERG?：Most respondents said more scandals have yet to come to light, and that ‘Next Magazine’ did a far better job fighting corruption than the SID
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Mon, Jul 23, 2012 - Page 1

The image of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has taken a hit since a scandal involving former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世) made headlines last month, with a majority of the respondents in a survey released yesterday saying they did not believe Vice President Wu Den-yih’s (吳敦義) claim of innocence in the case and that there are likely more cases of corruption in the government.

Citing the poll conducted by Taiwan Thinktank, Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明), convener of the think tank’s public opinion poll panel, said two out of three — or 66.7 percent of — respondents said they believed more high-ranking government officials were involved in the scandal, while 73.4 percent said they believed there were more undiscovered scandals.

Referendum application will be heard: chairman

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The application for a referendum on the cross-strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) will be discussed on Wednesday as scheduled, despite the proposer withdrawing from a hearing yesterday, Referendum Review Committee chairman Chao Yung-mau (趙永茂) said.

Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝), the initiator of the referendum proposal, said Chao should, as committee chairman, not convene the hearing. Huang then withdrew from the hearing.

Chen Chu dismisses talk of dirty tricks in DPP polls

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Greater Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) yesterday dismissed rumors that gangsters had played a role in the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) elections on Sunday, as two party officials traded accusations of inappropriate conduct.

“Gang members don’t have name tags on their faces,” Chen told reporters in Greater Kaohsiung, referring to allegations that gangsters from the south were brought in by her followers to influence the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) and Central Standing Committee (CSC) elections in Taipei.

Ma needs ‘bold’ territorial policy: forum

GET HARDER:：The Ma administration should make its voice heard in the international community and craft precise policies on disputed regions, a forum advised yesterday
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 - Page 3

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should present “clearer and bolder policies with precision” on the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) and the South China Sea territorial disputes and improve Taiwan’s “hard power” rather than dwell on talks of “soft power,” panelists in a forum said yesterday.

“Ma’s overemphasis of soft power and neglect of Beijing’s military threats have not been a healthy development for Taiwan,” Lin Cheng-yi (林正義), a researcher at the Institute of European and American Studies at Academia Sinica, said at the forum on escalating tensions in Asia.

Vanessa Shih denies rumors of a relationship

By Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporter
Fri, Jul 20, 2012 - Page 1

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vanessa Shih (史亞平) yesterday dismissed rumors that she was too close to one of former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew’s (李光耀) sons as “groundless.”

“It is not true. Like all the other rumors, they are all off base,” Shih said.

Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislator Chang Sho-wen (張碩文) said sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had told him that Lee once pointed his finger at Shih and it seemed that he was “enraged” at Shih or that he “blamed” her for something.

DPP takes fair trade body to task over fuel prices

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday said the Fair Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision that CPC, Taiwan (CPC) and Formosa Petrochemical Corp (FPC) were not involved in a price cartel showed that the commission is not doing its job.

“The decision showed that the FTC dares not mess with the ‘big boys’ and will only bully private businesses with its double standards,” DPP Legislator Pan Men-an (潘孟安) told a press conference.

DPP backs Chen Chu in face of claims

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 - Page 3

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday reaffirmed its endorsement of Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu’s (陳菊) integrity amid allegations of gangster influence — reputedly brought in by Chen and her party faction — on party elections.

“The DPP recognizes Chen’s lifelong dedication to Taiwan’s democratic movement and believes that Chen would not tolerate — nor does she need — gangsters influencing party elections. We fully stand by her,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said after the weekly Central Standing Committee (CSC) meeting.

Lu launches bid for nuclear referendum

THREE-STAGE PLAN:Annette Lu says residents of New Taipei City could make a change to the government’s pro-nuclear position by pushing for a referendum
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former vice president Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday launched an anti-nuclear referendum drive in New Taipei City (新北市) against the establishment of dry storage facilities for spent fuel rods and the operation of the yet-to-be-completed Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in Gongliao District (貢寮).

Lu, an advocate of a “nuclear-free homeland,” said the safety of Taiwanese, especially those in northern Taiwan, was in jeopardy, with three nuclear power plants along the northern coast, but the government has ignored the public’s voice.

Huntsman lays out views on China’s new leadership

CHANGES:The former US ambassador to Beijing met Su Tseng-chang, who talked about the DPP’s plan to expand its political, economic and foreign policies
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A “sensible cross-strait policy” is in the interest of both sides of the Taiwan Strait, while Chinese leaders will realize that change is inevitable, former US ambassador to Beijing Jon Huntsman said during a meeting with Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) in Taipei yesterday.

During the one-hour meeting, Huntsman, who is scheduled to leave Taiwan today after a three-day visit, exchanged views with Su on a number of China-related issues and reminisced about the time he spent in Taiwan in the 1980s.

DPP questions Ma’s donation and spending figures

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

No one would believe that President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) re-election campaign spent less than that of former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in the January presidential election, the DPP said yesterday.

“The Chinese Nationalist Party’s [KMT] declaration of received donations was a lot different than people expected,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said in response to the Control Yuan’s release on Monday of the final balance of political donations received by all candidates.

According to the report, Ma’s campaign received NT$446 million (US$14.8 million) in donations, while Tsai’s campaign had NT$756 million.

DPP to probe gangster links in party poll

POWER BROKERS:Most DPP members said they would not believe the allegations of gangsters being brought in to influence the vote until they see solid evidence
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said it would investigate alleged mafia involvement in the party after rumors that elections at the weekend were marred by organized crime.

Hung Chih-kun (洪智坤), one of 30 Central Executive Committee (CEC) members elected on Sunday in Taipei, said local gangsters in the south were brought in to influence the elections for the CEC and the Central Standing Committee (CSC), which consists of 10 members selected from the 30 CEC members.

Chou wants Shih report opened

DIPLOMATIC BEHAVIOR:：The ombudsman is reportedly unhappy that the foreign ministry is trying to downplay the charges against the former envoy to Singapore
By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 - Page 3

Control Yuan member Chou Yang-shan (周陽山) is seeking to declassify the results of his investigation that reportedly held former representative to Singapore Vanessa Shih (史亞平) accountable for undermining bilateral relations during her tenure in the city-state because of “dereliction of duty.”

Chou made the remarks yesterday after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared to be playing down the charges he brought against Shih in his classified report at a meeting of the Control Yuan’s Committee on Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs on June 20.

Asked to verify the reported allegations against Shih, Chou, via his assistant, said yesterday that he would only comment if the committee decides at a meeting today to declassify the report.

‘Tasteless’ ad highlights north-south divide: DPP

SPOTLIGHT:DPP lawmakers seized the chance given by a controversial Taipei government ad to call attention to bills they say would make government funding fairer
By Chris Wang and Jake Chung  /  Staff reporter and Staff writer, with CNA

An “arrogant and tasteless” newspaper advertisement put out by the Taipei City Government was a bullying message to other cities and explained why a law regulating local revenues should be on the top of the legislative agenda, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said yesterday.

The main advertisement message of “Sorry, we’re just that attractive” was “no different than bullying,” DPP Legislator Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤) said about the advertisement highlighting Taipei’s rich social welfare resources over those of the other four special municipalities of Greater Kaohsiung, New Taipei City (新北市), Greater Taichung and Greater Tainan.

Chen Shui-bian now working on his seventh book

PROLIFIC IN PRISON:Chen’s fourth book awaits publication and his fifth is being edited, while his son wrote a newspaper article pleading for his release
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said yesterday that he was working on his seventh book in jail and that he expected the One Side, One Country Alliance (一邊一國連線) he established to make great strides in municipal elections in 2014.

Chen, who has been in prison since he was convicted of corruption in December 2008, said he “would definitely go out of prison alive and keep working toward his goal of one country on each side” in a press release issued by his office yesterday.

Political donation data made public

LITTLE PIGGIES:：The DPP raised NT$756 million with its fundraising campaign, against the KMT’s NT$446 million, while the PFP spent NT$44.3 million more than it had raised
By Jake Chung  /  Staff writer, with CNA
Tue, Jul 17, 2012 - Page 3

The Control Yuan yesterday made public the final balance of political donations received by all the candidates in the presidential election on Jan. 14.

According to the report, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) received NT$446 million (US$14.8 million) in donations, against NT$756 million for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and her running mate, Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全), and NT$32.3 million for People First Party (PFP) candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) and his running mate, Lin Ruey-shiung (林瑞雄).

Historians insist Ma should leave textbooks alone

‘BRAINWASHING’ KIDS:：The academics said official efforts to ‘de-Taiwanese’ history was part of a larger plan to present the nation’s history as part of China’s
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Tue, Jul 17, 2012 - Page 1

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) and a group of historians yesterday urged President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for the second time in as many months to stop interfering with high-school history textbooks and trying to inculcate kids with his own ideology.

“Ma’s comments at the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Central Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday were proof that he is behind the ‘de-Taiwanization’ of high-school textbooks,” Cheng told a press conference.

DPP to resume member-based voting for nominees

By Chris Wang  /  Staff Reporter
Mon, Jul 16, 2012 - Page 3

Members at the Democratic Progressive Party national party congress yesterday agreed in principle to resume member-based voting for election nominees in the hope of getting “back in touch” with its grassroots.

While the details are to be discussed at a later date, the consensus was no surprise, as the proposal had gained momentum long before the congress, which gathered 560 party representatives at the Taipei International Convention Center for the party’s most important meeting of the year.

The congress discussed proposals submitted by representatives and elected members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) and the Central Standing Committee (CSC) — the DPP’s primary decision-making and administrative body.

DPP election ushers in new leadership

RESHUFFLE:The party’s annual conference is a venue for intense competition and political mudslinging, as it is the one chance members have of getting top spots
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former premiers Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and Yu Shyi-kun, along with the former New Tide faction, the most powerful grouping in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), came away victorious last night in elections that will shape the party for the next two years.

The two political heavyweights were elected to the 10-person Central Standing Committee (CSC), the party’s top decisionmaking and administrative body. Three members of the New Tide faction — Tuan Yi-kang (段宜康), Yen Hsiao-ching (顏曉菁) and Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) — were also voted onto CSC.

Wang Jin-pyng meets Tsai Ing-wen over charity

NOTHING UNTOWARD:Legislative Speaker and KMT heavyweight Wang Jin-pyng said President Ma Ying-jeou had been informed of the meeting
By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporters

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) met Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) on Wednesday night for a private discussion about the charity foundation she plans to launch next month, Tsai’s office said in a press release yesterday.

DPP questions SID ‘slowness’ in probe

‘HANDS TIED’:：A DPP legislator said the SID cleared Vice President Wu Den-yih too readily, without a full investigation into his links to Lin Yi-shih’s family
By Chris Wang and Mo Yan-chih  /  Staff reporters
Fri, Jul 13, 2012 - Page 3

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislative caucus yesterday kept the pressure on the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID), saying the slow pace of its probe into the case of alleged corruption involving former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世) could be politically motivated.

“The SID has voluntarily imposed restrictions on its investigation, including the scope and the timing of the probe, and that was why people have doubts over its determination to find the truth,” DPP Legislator Wu Ping-jui (吳秉叡) told a press conference.

Ma’s Diaoyutai Islands stance wrong: DPP

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The political philosophy and behavior of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) concerning the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) is fundamentally wrong and risks creating the false perception that Taiwan sides with China at the expense of its relations with Japan, a senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official said yesterday.

“Placing the sovereignty issue at the forefront of the bilateral dispute is a fatal mistake because it escalates tensions and increases mistrust” between Taiwan and Japan, a senior DPP official familiar with the issue said.

The official wished to remain anonymous because his comments did not represent the DPP’s official position.

DPP questions Wu’s role in scandal

CONNECTIONS:：A report alleges that the vice president and his wife knew Chen Chi-hsiang and might have been involved in Lin Yi-shih’s alleged bribery case
By Chris Wang, Mo Yan-chih, Lin Chun-hung and Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporters, with staff writer
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 - Page 1

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday urged Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) to explain the role he may have played in the Lin Yi-shih (林益世) scandal and again called on investigators for a quick and thorough probe into the bribery allegations.

The Chinese-language Next Magazine yesterday reported on the close relationship between Wu and Lin, who stepped down as Executive Yuan secretary-general amid as widening bribery scandal, as well as the alleged connection between Wu and his wife, Tsai Ling-yi (蔡令怡), and several key individuals in the bribery case.

Su issues letter urging Chen’s medical release

CONCERN:The DPP chief urged city and county councilors to propose resolutions in support of the former president’s release for treatment
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) has signed a petition and issued an open letter to party representatives to call for the release of former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on medical grounds.

Su signed the petition — launched by several doctors, including National Taiwan University Hospital physician Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) — after drawing criticism earlier for refusing to sign it despite his verbal support.

Group says Matsu casino referendum was rigged

CARROT DANGLING:The anti-gambling group alleged that the developer that plans to build the casino bought residents’ votes by falsely offering future casino benefits
By Rich Chang and Chris Wang  /  Staff reporters

The Alliance Against the Legalization of Gambling yesterday protested in front of the Agency Against Corruption following the results of a referendum last weekend which favored the construction of a casino resort on Matsu and said the agency must investigate the possibility of vote-buying during the referendum campaign.

The alliance’s executive director Ho Tsung-hsun (何宗勳), accused Weidner Resorts Taiwan — the developer behind a planned casino resort on the island — and Lienchiang County Government of deceiving residents by making unrealistic promises, such as promising monthly subsidies of NT$80,000 for Matsu residents, saying the promises were tantamount to vote-buying.

Ma’s China-centric policy hurting economy: DPP

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The nation’s poor economic and trade performance in the first half of the year is a warning that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should stop “putting all eggs in one basket” and change his China-dependent economic policy, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers said yesterday.

Exports last month contracted for a fourth consecutive month from a year ago, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Finance on Monday, DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) told a press conference.

DPP urges SID to investigate Wu, others

LINGATE:：Today’s edition of ‘Next Magazine’ will reportedly have stories about involvement of the former premier and of Lin Join-sane in the Lin Yi-shih case
By Chris Wang, Mo Yan-chih and Rich Chang  /  Staff reporters
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 - Page 1

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday called for an investigation into the role that China Steel Corp (CSC, 中鋼), CHC Resource Corp (中聯資源) and Vice President Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) might have played in the Lin Yi-shih (林益世) scandal.

The role the two corporations might have played in the scandal has been completely ignored by the Special Prosecutors’ Office Special Investigation Division (SID) and it is imperative that the SID clarify those details rather than focus solely on Lin and his family, DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) told a press conference.

Ma can’t clean government: majority

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

A majority of respondents in a public opinion poll released yesterday, said they had no confidence in President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) ability to promote “clean government” and were opposed to him serving concurrently as Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairman.The poll was conducted by Taiwan Indicate Survey Research (TISR) between Thursday and Friday.

Respondents expressed frustration over the recent corruption scandal involving former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世), who has been detained by prosecutors.

DPP vows to ‘march forward’

‘DETERMINATION’:The party has vowed to return to power, by strengthening grassroots organization, working with social movements and developing talent
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

“March forward, Taiwan! (前進吧，台灣！)” will be the theme of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) annual national party congress this year as the party vows to return to power in four years, the DPP announced yesterday.

“The theme represents the DPP’s determination to return to power as the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] has failed to help the country move forward in the past five years,” DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference.

TSU still against ractopamine after UN body accepts it

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday reiterated its opposition to the easing of a ban on residue of the livestock feed additive ractopamine in meat, despite the vote by a UN-affiliated food safety organization in favor of allowing certain levels of it.

On Thursday last week the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome, Italy, narrowly voted in favor of maximum residue levels (MRLs) of the additive.

DPP accuses CTS head of obtaining position illegally

FISHY APPOINTMENT:A DPP legislator said because Chao had not gained the approval from PTS’ board of directors, her position as general manager was illegal
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday accused Chinese Television System (CTS) chairperson and general manager Yaly Chao (趙雅麗) of malfeasance and obtaining her position illegally, saying Chao should be suspended immediately.

CTS convened a provisional meeting to select a new board of directors and supervisors on June 26, three days before the Ministry of Culture (MOC) held a review meeting for the appointment of a new governing body for the Public Television System (PTS), DPP Legislator Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君) told a press conference.

ANALYSIS: DPP eyes better relations with US in the future

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Mon, Jul 09, 2012 - Page 3

Although Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers and the party’s central headquarters have appeared to be at odds over how to organize opposition to the government’s policy of setting a maximum residue level for the livestock feed additive ractopamine in beef, party leaders insist that the DPP is ready to “reset” its relationship with the US, arguably the nation’s most important ally.

The DPP announced its support for the adoption of international standards on Thursday night, soon after the UN-affiliated Codex Alimentarius Commission voted in Rome in favor of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for ractopamine.

DPP reaffirms positions on ractopamine, gambling

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) reaffirmed its positions on the US beef controversy and the referendum on gambling in Matsu, saying that international standards should be adopted to safeguard food safety and that it respected Matsu residents’ decision despite its longstanding anti-gambling policy.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission’s voting process on the adoption of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the livestock feed additive ractopamine was “controversial” and the results were close, DPP Chairperson Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said in Taichung yesterday on the sidelines of a party event.

Opposition urged to change stance on US beef imports

By Shih Hsiu-chuan  /  Staff reporter

Executive Yuan spokesperson Hu Yu-wei (胡幼偉) last night urged opposition parties to reconsider their stance against easing the ban on imports of US beef containing ractopamine residue after the Codex Alimentarius Commission narrowly voted in favor of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the livestock leanness-enhancing food additive.

The Democratic Progressive Party, the Taiwan Solidarity Union and the People First Party had suggested that Taiwan hold off on a decision on revising its zero-tolerance policy on ractopamine until after the commission made a decision about the draft MRLs for ractopamine, Hu said.

ANALYSIS: Ma sitting on time bomb in run-up to US beef vote

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Fri, Jul 06, 2012 - Page 3

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) is clueless, helpless and “sitting on a time bomb” after the corruption scandal involving former Executive Yuan secretary--general Lin Yi-shih (林益世), with few policy options left, members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said.

Not only has the scandal, involving one of Ma’s most trusted aides, tarnished the president’s image, it has also raised doubts as to whether he will be able to muster enough votes to pass a controversial amendment on the relaxation of rules governing the level of residue of the livestock feed additive ractopamine in beef imports in the upcoming extra legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on July 24, they said.

Tsai Ing-wen sets up foundation

LOOKING FORWARD:Although Tsai has not said she will run in the 2016 presidential election, the foundation’s similarity to a campaign office has attracted some comment
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is scheduled to officially launch her own foundation early next month to work on charity projects and public policy.

The foundation, provisionally called the “Hsiao-ying [Little Ing] Educational Foundation,” is considered by many to be the equivalent of a campaign headquarters if Tsai decides to seek the DPP nomination for the presidency in 2016.

LIN IMBROGLIO : DPP makes five-point demand of Ma

SCANDAL:：The DPP said the president must take steps to regain the public’s confidence over what one lawmaker called ‘the greatest governance crisis in the nation’s history’
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, Jul 05, 2012 - Page 3

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday issued an official five-point demand to President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) amid the intensifying scandal of corruption allegations surrounding former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世), including an apology from Ma and a Cabinet reshuffle.

Lin, 44, has reportedly admitted taking a bribe of NT$63 million (US$2.15 million) from a metal recycling company and was detained for two months on Monday.

DPP slams AEC’s nuclear-power-for-project decision

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday criticized the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) over its reported decision to reactivate a nuclear reactor in exchange for a NT$36 million (US$1.2 million) project from Taiwan Power Co (Taipower).

The Chinese-language Next Magazine reported on Tuesday that the council had secured limited bids for two research projects from Taipower, for NT$17.5 million and NT$18.7 million respectively.

Yuanlin residents furious over land consolidation deal

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Residents of Yuanlin Township (員林), Changhua County, said yesterday that they were forced to participate in an urban land consolidation project and had to pay an unreasonable price differential of up to NT$20 million (US$670,000).

Representatives of more than 100 households in the town told a press conference in Taipei yesterday that they could not afford the huge price differential and they would rather sell their properties to the government and relocate.

Su, Tsai remember Chen Wen-chen

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and former DPP chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday paid tribute to murdered professor Chen Wen-chen (陳文成) to commemorate the 31st anniversary of his passing.

The two senior DPP officials posted tributes to Chen on their Facebook pages and highlighted the significance of Chen’s death during the White Terror era to the nation’s democratic development.

Ma owes public an apology over Lin scandal: DPP

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should hold a press conference and offer the public an explanation and apology for former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih’s (林益世) alleged involvement in a corruption case.

“Ma should not evade his responsibility by simply saying he is sorry and regretful about Lin’s [alleged] corruption because he was the one who gave Lin all the power and promoted Lin to his current [former] status,” DPP spokesperson Wang Min-shen (王閔生) told a press conference.

Bus driver fatigue causes accidents, legislator says

LONG HAUL:DPP Legislator Yu Mei-nu said bus drivers have a basic monthly salary of less than NT$14,000, forcing them to work overtime and drive while fatigued
By Chris Wang  /  Staff Reporter

The prevalent practice of overworking has caused many bus accidents due to fatigue and has placed passengers’ lives at risk, a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker said yesterday.

At least 17 bus accidents related to fatigued driving, which caused 25 deaths and 166 injuries, occurred between 2003 and this year throughout the nation, DPP Legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女) told a press conference yesterday, according to her own calculations.

Opposition demands Ma apology, corruption probe

TIP OF THE ICEBERG?：TSU Legislator Lin Shih-chia said the fact Lin allegedly asked for the bribe to be divided into installments meant that others could be implicated
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Tue, Jul 03, 2012 - Page 3

The pan-green camp yesterday called for a presidential apology, a Cabinet reshuffle and an investigation into corruption at the heart of government after former Executive Yuan secretary-general Lin Yi-shih (林益世) allegedly admitted his guilt in an ongoing corruption probe.

“We would like to know how many Lin Yi-shihs there are in President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration,” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference.

Family of Falun Gong practitioner seek official help

WITS END:The family held a second press conference to plead for the help of the government in seeking the release of Chung Ting-pang, who is being held in China
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The family of Chung Ting-pang (鍾鼎邦) pleaded with the government for the second time in 10 days to do something about his detention in China.

Chung, a 53-year-old Falun Gong practitioner, was arrested in Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, on June 18 as he was about to return to Taiwan and accused of “sabotaging national and public security.”

“We do not want to wait for another minute or another second because his life is at stake,” Chung Ai (鍾愛), Chung Ting-pang’s daughter, told a press conference in Taipei organized by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsu Hsin-ying (徐欣瑩).

TSU demands visa for Rebiya Kadeer

MODEL NEIGHBOR:Kadeer said that Taiwan should try to change China, not the other way around, adding that Taiwanese democracy sets an excellent example for Beijing
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

World Uyghur Congress president Rebiya Kadeer said on Thursday in Washington that Taiwan and Turkey were the only countries in the world denying her a visitor’s visa, but added that she still hoped to visit Taiwan in the future.

The Uighur rights activist made the comments in her meeting with visiting Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝), who promised to demand that the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) grant her a visa.

Hong Kongers rue Chinese rule

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Taiwanese academics and Hong Kong students find it hard to agree with Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), who said yesterday on the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China that the “one country, two systems (一國兩制)” design was “the best solution.”

“Are Hong Kong people happy with the arrangement after 15 years? It appears the answer is negative,” said Lin Wen-cheng (林文程), a professor at National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung. “While Hong Kong is a designated Special Administrative Region, its people know very well that Beijing is the boss and calls all the shots. People have no say in direct elections or over the influx of Chinese citizens.”