By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is scheduled to embark upon a two-day presidential campaign trip today to the eastern counties of Hualien and Taitung.
She plans to visit the two counties straddling the Pacific Ocean with a combined coastline of more than 370km, as well as Orchid Island (蘭嶼) — also known as Lanyu — off Taiwan proper.
WRONG TREE:The DPP and TSU said the president was polarizing the electorate by playing up ethnicity after mentioning his ‘cardinal sin’ of being a Mainlander
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday panned President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) for what they said was his impetuousness over a proposed peace accord with China and playing the ethnic card to manipulate the January presidential election.
Speaking at a campaign stop in Greater Taichung, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) questioned why Ma has failed to understand by now public doubts about his initiative of a peace agreement with China.
PIGGIES, COME HOME:A DPP official said the ‘piggy bank’ donations could maybe set a Guinness World Record when they are given back to Tsai’s campaign in December
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opened its regional presidential campaign headquarters in Greater Taichung yesterday and started distributing piggy banks across the nation in a fundraising drive.
“Each and every one of these piggy banks symbolize people’s expectations of the DPP as well as the DPP’s determination to stand on the side of Taiwanese, rather than big businesses,” DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said in Greater Taichung.
CONSPIRACY?：TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei said Ma and Su committed treason by fabricating the so-called ‘1992 consensus’ and colluding with a foreign state
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Fri, Oct 28, 2011 - Page 1
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday filed a lawsuit against President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and former Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) chairman Su Chi (蘇起), accusing the two of treason by conspiring with China to create the so-called “1992 consensus,” which the party said had never existed.
TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) filed the lawsuit at the Taiwan High Prosecutors’ Office after a press conference where he said Ma and Su should be held accountable for inventing the consensus, which could eventually jeopardize Taiwan’s sovereignty.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Fri, Oct 28, 2011 - Page 3
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential campaign team was a bit confused at first about how to position and promote DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who has been described as an “unorthodox” politician by many.
It would be difficult for the party’s traditional supporters, particularly those in rural areas, to relate to the cool and collected intellectual, who boasts little political experience and cannot even speak fluent Taiwanese, most team members thought.
It turned out that Tsai’s multifaceted identity and character became a campaign team’s dream as Tsai’s popularity has soared in the past few months.
By Mo Yan-chih / Staff Reporter
The strategy director of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) re-election campaign office, Chu Yun-peng (朱雲鵬), yesterday dismissed media allegations that he illegally purchased a farmhouse, saying the house would only be used for agricultural purposes.
Chu said he purchased a pre-sale farmhouse next to National Central University in Taoyuan County in November 2007 and that the farmhouse is still under construction, dismissing a story in the weekly Next Magazine that he abused his power as a government official to acquire the property.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) disclosed his family’s assets yesterday, trying to end a string of rumors and accusations from his political opponents to avoid further risk to the DPP’s presidential campaign.
Lawyers detailed the assets of Su, his wife, Hong Heng-chu (洪恆珠), and their two daughters at a press conference held at DPP headquarters in Taipei after conducting a week-long review of Su’s financial status.
A joint review by lawyers Kao Yung-cheng (高涌誠) and Hom Su-je (洪士傑) found that Su holds an estimated NT$8 million (US$265,610) in cash, possesses an inherited house and four plots of land, and has neither debts nor investments.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday announced it would begin of a “piggy bank campaign” to help fund DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) presidential bid and to parody a recent government warning.
Control Yuan officials told the DPP earlier this month that the government watchdog would launch an investigation into the party’s acceptance of three piggy banks donated by children on Oct. 9, because the Political Donations Act (政治獻金法) stipulates that only people of voting age and who are eligible to vote are allowed to make political donations.
SUSPICIOUS EARS:Several calls yesterday to DPP officials asking for the form for James Soong’s petition raised eyebrows. Turns out the caller was a TVBS employee
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said a TV station was using trickery to create the impression that the DPP was trying to help People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) with his presidential election signature drive.
Several DPP councilors in Greater Kaohsiung received telephone inquiries from the same person yesterday morning asking them to provide a form for Soong’s petition, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) told a press conference.
ENCOURAGEMENT:An academic said if President Ma were to be re-elected, he might interpret a recent opinion poll as indication the public wants a peace deal with China
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
While President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) initiative for a possible peace accord with China within the next decade has been interpreted as a pseudo-issue and a tool to help his re-election bid, its possible ramifications should not be underestimated, academics told a forum in Taipei yesterday.
“Ma’s initiative might be only a ‘pseudo-issue’ for his campaign. However, Ma could push for a peace pact if he won a second term in January,” said Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政), chief executive of the Taiwan Brain Trust, the organizer of the forum, which focused on cross-straits relations.
By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Chris Wang / Staff Reporters
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 - Page 1
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday blocked a proposal by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to write into the Referendum Act (公民投票法) that holding political talks with China would require referendums before and after all negotiations.
Holding a majority at the legislature’s Procedure Committee, KMT lawmakers voted not to put the proposed amendment to the Referendum Act and 66 other bills onto the legislative agenda for the plenary sessions on Friday and Tuesday next week.
That the DPP proposed revising the Referendum Act at this moment was “nothing but an election tactic,” KMT Legislator Lin Yi-shih (林益世) said. “Although the amendment is well-intended, the content was carelessly written. The legislature can’t pass a bill like this.”
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE:Groups representing victims of the 228 Massacre and the White Terror era said they hoped Tsai would prioritize human rights if she is elected
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Victims of political persecution and their families yesterday voiced support for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), while expressing the hope that she would pursue transitional justice if she is elected in January’s presidential election.
An alliance of four major associations of political victims consisting of victims of the 228 Massacre and the White Terror era announced the formation of a booster club for the DPP’s presidential candidate at a press conference.
The younger generation should be grateful to those who sacrificed their youth, bodies and even lives for the democratization of Taiwan, Tsai told about 300 victims and their families.
RIGHTS FOR ALL:Tsai, who also promised to protect new immigrants and gays, said one-third of elected officials should be female and said women can facilitate harmony
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said her administration would keep promoting gender equality and emphasize women’s political participation, as well as pass legislation to protect people of all races, genders and sexual orientations if she were elected president in January.
The DPP has always prided itself on being a political party that stresses gender equality and respects human rights for all since its foundation and it will continue to do so, Tsai told representatives from women’s organizations from across the nation at a symposium.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 - Page 3
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) returned from her 11-day campaign trip this month with more than a bruised arm.
Her newfound confidence and improved communication skills were probably even more satisfying than what has been described as unprecedented support for a DPP presidential candidate during a single campaign event.
“I always like to say two things. First, people are the best stimulus for politicians. Second, confidence can do wonders for a candidate,” Tsai’s chief campaign manager, Wu Nai-ren (吳乃仁), said on the sidelines of an Oct. 16 rally held in Taipei to mark the end of Tsai’s 500km trip along the nation’s west coast.
SAFEGUARDS:：The proposal would grant the Executive Yuan the authority to hold a referendum on cross-strait negotiations and require plebiscites before and after all talks
By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff Reporters
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 - Page 1
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) legislative caucus yesterday said it would submit a proposal to amend the Referendum Act (公民投票法) that would require all political negotiations with China to be put to a national referendum.
The caucus’ draft amendment proposes granting the Executive Yuan the authority to hold a referendum on negotiations between the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China, DPP caucus convener Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) told a press conference.
A legally binding national referendum would also be required before and after all negotiations to ensure the government has a public mandate to engage in bilateral talks and that the results do not jeopardize Taiwan’s national interests, Ker said.
OLD BATTLEGROUND:The presidential candidate chose New Taipei City to base her headquarters, as she is familiar with the area after running for mayor there last November
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday launched her national presidential campaign headquarters in Banciao District (板橋), New Taipei City (新北市), and pledged to make Taiwan a country of fairness and justice if she were elected in January.
“Taiwan will not be a country comprising two worlds, because the next president will stand on the same side with the underprivileged and improve the quality of people’s daily lives,” Tsai told a crowd of about 30,000.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Mon, Oct 24, 2011 - Page 1
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has dispatched a “secret emissary” to China after saying his proposal to sign a cross-strait peace accord was contingent on a referendum rattled Beijing, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said yesterday.
Ma allegedly sent Kao Huei (高輝), director of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) Mainland Affairs Department, to explain the initiative, which has crossed Beijing’s red line of “no referendums,” DPP spokesman Liang Wen-jie (梁文傑) told a press conference.
Liang urged Ma to disclose Kao’s itinerary to the public and disclose which Chinese officials he was scheduled to meet.
‘HIRED THUG’?An official said the agency had simply given the DPP a ‘friendly reminder’ that accepting funds from people without the right to vote was against the law
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday returned three piggy banks to three-year-old triplets in Greater Tainan after the Control Yuan warned the political donations were in violation of electoral laws.
The three children, guided by their mother and grandfather, “donated” their piggy banks to DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during a rally the party’s presidential candidate held in Greater Tainan on Oct. 9.
By Chris Wang and Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff Reporters
Fri, Oct 21, 2011 - Page 1
The recklessness and inconsistency displayed by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) in formulating a proposal for a peace agreement with China within a decade raises great concerns over his ability to handle major cross-strait talks, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
Ma’s explanation of his initiative is “loose and simplistic,” Tsai said. “We didn’t see any sophisticated deliberation and planning behind the proposal.”
The remarks came in response to Ma’s announcement yesterday that the government would obtain the public’s approval through a referendum before pushing for a peace pact with China.
RESIGNED:The Cabinet responded by saying that Lwo Shih-hsiung had quit last week. Lwo said he will hold a press conference today to explain his side
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday accused Lwo Shih-hsiung (羅世雄), chief executive of the Executive Yuan’s Southern Taiwan Joint Service Center, of illegal land use, tax evasion and false declaration of assets.
In a surprise twist, however, the Executive Yuan said that Lwo had resigned from his post last week.
‘IRRESPONSIBLE AND IMPETUOUS’:：Chen Shui-bian said in an article yesterday that former US president Bill Clinton had doubts about a potential cross-strait peace pact
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Thu, Oct 20, 2011 - Page 1
President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) proposal for a possible peace accord with China within a 10-year time frame could put Taiwan’s sovereignty and democratic values at risk and leave future generations with no freedom of choice, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
Speaking as the head of her party, Tsai, the DPP’s presidential candidate in January’s election, told a press conference that Ma’s proposal was “irresponsible and impetuous” and that it amounted to the manipulation of a highly sensitive political issue to cover up his administration’s failures, as well as a bargaining chip that benefits his presidential campaign.
RISKY BUSINESS:Academics said Taiwanese banks looking to grow in China are at risk because in the event of a financial crisis there, Beijing would not bail them out
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The planned expansion of the Taiwanese banking industry into China could be disastrous for itself and depositors, as a financial crisis looms in China from which Taiwanese banks would not be protected, academics told a forum yesterday.
The expansion to China is probably “inevitable,” but expanding there at this time is simply too risky, Huang Tien-lin (黃天麟), a former presidential adviser, told the forum organized by the Taiwan Brain Trust.
By Mo Yan-chih and Chris Wang / Staff reporters
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 - Page 1
The government will increase the monthly subsidies for elderly farmers to NT$6,316 (US$209) and adjust the subsidies every four years in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) announced yesterday, defending the government’s efforts to depoliticize the subsidies and prevent them from becoming a campaign issue.
Subsidies for farmers older than 65 are now NT$6,000 a month, and the NT$316 increase reflects the 5.27 percent average increase in the CPI during the past four years.
The government also plans to increase eight types of subsidies for the elderly, the disabled and low-income families, also in accordance with the CPI, Ma said.
By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 - Page 1
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) yesterday said that he would donate his farmland and the farmhouse on which it stands to a township office to end months of controversy surrounding the assets, which has clouded the DPP’s presidential campaign.
“Despite the fact that the farmhouse has been inspected twice by the authorities in the past few weeks and has been declared legal, I have decided to donate the house and the property to Changjhih Township (長治) in Pingtung County,” Su told a press conference at DPP headquarters in Taipei.
The decision was made to end “irrational” public discussions that have “distorted and obscured an opportunity to formulate policy on farmhouse regulation across the nation,” Su said.
FIGHTING BACK:：A KMT caucus whip said the DPP was being malicious in casting aspersions on Ma’s idea of holding peace negotiations with China within a decade
By Chris Wang, Mo Yan-chih and Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff reporters
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 - Page 1
Comments by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) about negotiations for a possible peace accord with China within a 10-year timeframe could be a catalyst for unification that undermines Taiwan’s future by agreeing to a “one China” principle, the pan-green camp said yesterday.
Ma, who is seeking re-election, said on Monday that his administration would only engage in peace talks with Beijing if it had strong domestic support and if such a pact met the needs of the country.
THE LAST MILE:：About 80,000 supporters showed up at the rally in front of the Presidential Office, which concluded a 500km campaign trip across the nation
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Mon, Oct 17, 2011 - Page 1
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is determined to win the presidential election in January to save people from an unhappy nation with a bad economy, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a rally in Taipei yesterday to conclude her 11-day campaign trip.
“We are going to march toward the Presidential Office. We are determined to return to power in 2012,” the presidential candidate told tens of thousands of screaming supporters on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Hsinchu County
President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) acknowledgment of his failure to carry out his 2008 campaign pledges should not persuade voters to give him one more term, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.
In an interview with TVBS on Friday, Ma apologized for failing to carry out major policies, including the “6-3-3” campaign pledge he laid out in his 2008 presidential election campaign, but called on the public to support his re-election bid.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Taoyuan County
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is scheduled to complete her 11-day campaign trip along Taiwan’s west coast today with a large rally planned for this evening on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei.
The trip, which took Tsai from the southernmost tip of Taiwan en route to 79 townships in 14 counties covering a total distance of more than 500km, was aimed at generating voter support in the run-up to January’s presidential election.
CRUCIAL CONSTITUENCY:Party officials say that they believe Tsai Ing-wen’s Hakka ancestry may help her win the vote in the vital Hsinchu, Miaoli and Taoyuan districts
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Taoyuan County
As Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) presidential election campaign trip took her to areas with heavy Hakka populations in northern Taiwan yesterday, the party said it feels that it has never had as good an opportunity as this year to make strides in securing Hakka votes in the election.
One of the main reasons for that confidence is that, unlike previous standard-bearers, Tsai is of Hakka descent.
Tsai said yesterday in Hsinchu, one of the three main Hakka constituencies in northern Taiwan, along with Miaoli and Taoyuan, that her party planned to promote the Hakka language and eventually designate it as one of the national languages if she were elected president in January.
PEDAL POWER:The DPP presidential candidate sang the praises of the domestic bike maker and its founder, King Liu, who she said had vision and perseverance
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in MIAOLI COUNTY
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday lauded Giant Bicycle as a model for Taiwanese businesses and touted the development of “local economies” as a crucial factor in turning the economy around.
Competitive, successful and also able to collaborate with rivals, Giant — the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer, an original equipment manufacturer and an original brand manufacturer — could serve as the best example for Taiwanese businesses, Tsai said after a visit to the company in Dajia (大甲), Greater Taichung.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Greater Taichung
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential campaign team expressed confidence yesterday that it would win Greater Taichung, part of central Taiwan perceived by the party as the pivotal battleground of January’s presidential election.
Observers said DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the party’s presidential candidate, was facing an enormous challenge as her 11-day campaign trip traveled northwards and entered central Taiwan.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Greater Taichung
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) statement on the recognition of the Republic of China (ROC) was “dangerous,” senior Taiwanese independence advocate Koo Kwang-ming (辜寬敏) said yesterday in an advertisement.
The DPP presidential candidate’s statement last week that “Taiwan is the ROC, the ROC is Taiwan” had “dangerously legalized and rationalized” the ROC, despite her attempt to use the theory to describe the “status quo” being understandable, Koo wrote in a half-page newspaper ad published yesterday.
PLAGIARISM OR PARANOIA?DPP officials are using secure mobile phones after the party questioned how the KMT seemed to have prior knowledge of its election campaign
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Greater Taichung
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday urged President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration to explain whether it has tapped the mobile phones of key DPP officials to gain campaign information.
“This has been a concern for us for a long time, as we suspect that our e-mail accounts have been hacked and our mobile phones have been tapped,” DPP presidential candidate Tsai said in Greater Tai-chung’s Jhueifen District (追分) in the middle of her 11-day campaign trip along the nation’s west coast.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) announced its 10-member legislators-at-large list yesterday and said it hoped to surpass the 5 percent threshold for a legislator-at-large seat and win at least two seats in the January legislative elections.
Hsu Chun-hsin (許忠信), an economics professor, and Huang Wen-ling (黃文玲), a lawyer, were the top two candidates on the list that includes five male and five female candidates, TSU Chairman Huang Kun-huei (黃昆輝) told a press conference.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) Double Ten National Day speech and the policies laid out in his “golden decade” national development plan were flawed and fraudulent for their disconnection and betrayal of the people, panelists told a forum yesterday.
“It is puzzling that Ma keeps laying out policies that go well beyond his presidential term,” Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Huang Shu-ying (黃淑英) told the forum organized by the Taiwan Brain Trust to discuss Ma’s national day speech and golden decade plan.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday called for an end to the controversy surrounding a farmhouse owned by the wife of her presidential election running mate, Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全), saying the case should be dealt with from a legal point of view.
Speaking at a presidential campaign stop in Chiayi, Tsai said the public discussions of the allegedly illegally built farmhouse had been blown out of proportion and violated the privacy of those involved.
Su has promised to deal with the farmhouse according to the law and some of the criticism has been overblown, she said.
DISAGREEMENT:The TSU expressed strong disapproval of the DPP presidential candidate’s ‘recognition’ of the ROC as Taiwan, instead saying it was an occupying state
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Academics and politicians continued to express mixed reactions yesterday to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) “recognition” of the Republic of China (ROC) last weekend, with some members of the pan-green camp voicing strong disapproval.
While most people, including the DPP’s rival in the January presidential elections the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), welcomed the statement, some DPP members expressed displeasure over Tsai’s statement, with DPP Legislator Twu Shiing-jer (涂醒哲) saying that Taiwan is not the ROC and that its status remains undecided.
Tsai, the DPP’s presidential candidate, repeated her call for members of the pan-green camp to support her willingness to recognize the ROC on Monday night in a campaign stop in Chiayi City.
BEST WISHES:Tibet’s spiritual leader wished Tsai continued success, while the DPP called for China to respect human rights and basic freedoms
By Chris Wang / STAFF REPORTER, IN GREATER KAOHSIUNG
The Dalai Lama has expressed his gratitude to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) for supporting the recent changes to the Tibetan political system, the DPP said yesterday.
“Thank you for your recent letter of August 2011 highlighting my recent decision to strengthen the democratic system of the Tibetan community by transferring power to a democratically elected leader,” Dalai Lama wrote in a letter to Tsai.
CONSOLIDATING SUPPORT:Tsai aims to garner at least 60 percent of voters in the DPP’s southern stronghold, while aiming to match Ma’s support in central Taiwan
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in GREATER KAOHSIUNG
A crowd of about 10,000 supporters rallied in Greater Kaohsiung yesterday evening as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential ticket of DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and her running-mate Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) stepped up their campaign to win January’s election.
The rally, held on the third day of Tsai’s 11-day campaign tour of the west coast, was the first of three planned large rallies in campaign, which aims to consolidate voter support with less than 100 days to go before the Jan. 14 election.
TIGHT SCHEDULEThe DPP said that Tsai Ing-wen will not be able to make it to the ceremony in Taipei because she is on an 11-day campaign trip along the west coast
By Chris Wang and Mo Yan-chih / Staff Reporters
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will not attend the Double Ten National Day celebration in front of the Presidential Office on Monday because of a scheduling conflict. She will attend the National Day ceremony in Greater Tainan instead.
Speaking in Pingtung County yesterday, Tsai, who is the DPP’s presidential candidate and is currently on an 11-day west coast campaign trip, said her absence from the celebrations in Taipei should not raise questions about her loyalty to the country or about patriotism because loyalty is a basic requirement of all citizens, as well as the most important element for a national leader.
By Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff Reporter
Sat, Oct 08, 2011 - Page 1
Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Wu-hsiung (陳武雄) yesterday became the target of criticism from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over allegations that he served as President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) re-election campaign organizer and was a secret informant for the former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) authoritarian regime.
A group of DPP officials led by DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) yesterday filed a complaint with the Control Yuan against Chen and five other COA officials, accusing them of exploiting administrative resources for Ma’s campaign.
According to the DPP, Chen and KMT vice chairman Chan Chun-po (詹春柏) together led a supporting group associated with the agricultural community to campaign for Ma’s re-election bid, in which the five other COA officials served as KMT contact persons to reach out to voters in that community.
JOURNEY:The DPP’s presidential team aims to garner support on an 11-day trip from the southernmost tip of Taiwan, ending with a big rally in Taipei on Oct. 16
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter, in Pingtung County
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and her running mate, Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全), yesterday embarked on a 500km campaign trip that would take them through 79 townships in 14 counties on the nation’s west coast in 11 days, in hopes of securing more support in the run-up to the January presidential election.
With the famous landmark Oluanpi Lighthouse in the background, Tsai and Su began their trip on the southernmost tip of Taiwan after a group of Paiwan Aborigines performed traditional rituals and presented the pair with stones representing land, wisdom and courage.
By Shih Hsiu-chuan and Mo Yan-chih / Staff Reporters
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅) yesterday filed a complaint with the Control Yuan against the Pingtung County Government over a farmhouse owned by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全).
Chiu charged the Pingtung County Government with “negligence of duty” and asked the government watchdog to look into the responsibilities of Pingtung County Commissioner Tsao Chi-hung (曹啟鴻), Urban and Rural Development Department Director Huang Chao-chung (黃肇崇) and Agricultural Department Director Lin Chin-ho (林景和).
SUPPORT:Former president Chen Shui-bian praised Tsai Ing-wen in his latest article, while advising the DPP not to count on a pan-blue split to win in January’s elections
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday appealed for support from Taiwanese businesspeople abroad, saying their vote and donations were crucial to the party’s victory in the presidential election in January.
While DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has set a modest budget of NT$1 billion (US$32.67 million) for her presidential campaign, it was still a hefty goal to achieve, said Yu Shyi-kun (游錫堃), chief financial officer of her campaign, in a meeting with more than 100 overseas Taiwanese businesspeople.
TRADING BARBS:While Su Jia-chyuan sued Chiu Yi for defamation, the lawmaker sued the Pingtung County Government after it said Su’s farmhouse was not illegal
By Chris Wang and Mo Yan-chih / Staff Reporters
The controversy over Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan’s (蘇嘉全) farmhouse is headed to the courts after Su and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅) filed lawsuits over the dispute.
On Monday, Su filed a defamation lawsuit against Chiu, who accused Su and his wife, Hung Heng-chu (洪恆珠), of illegal purchase of agricultural land and illegal construction of a farmhouse on the land in Pingtung County.
The KMT legislator yesterday filed a lawsuit against the Pingtung County Government, accusing it of corruption and document forgery after it cleared Su’s purchase and construction of the house.
BEST OF FRIENDS:：The DPP chairperson emphasized four elements in the nation’s ‘special relationship’ with Japan: security, democracy, economy, and trade and travel
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Wed, Oct 05, 2011 - Page 1
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday highlighted the US-Japan security pact as the cornerstone of stability in East Asia and the DPP’s wish to strengthen Taiwan’s relations with Japan in a speech in Tokyo.
Japan “continues to occupy a special place in the emotions of the Taiwanese people,” the DPP’s presidential candidate told the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
The Pingtung County Government yesterday reaffirmed the legality of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice presidential candidate Su Jia-chyuan’s (蘇嘉全) farmhouse in the county.
A joint press conference held by the county’s Urban and Rural Development Department, Land Administration Department and Agricultural Department came amid a series of attacks against Su by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Yi (邱毅).
Su said yesterday that he would file a defamation lawsuit against Chiu.
LET’S TALK:On arrival in Tokyo, the DPP chairperson said she would take a rational approach to the dispute and would not ally Taiwan with China on the issue
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday said in Tokyo that the DPP would try to resolve the dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚台) with Japan “peacefully and rationally” and would not align with China on the issue.
“We would like to sit down with Japan to talk about it. We would deal with the issue rationally and peacefully,” Tsai told a reporter upon her arrival at Haneda International Airport.
CLASS WARRIOR?：The president said recent moves by the government, such as the luxury tax, were not meant to punish the rich, but rather to narrow the wealth gap
Staff Writer, with CNA
Tue, Oct 04, 2011 - Page 1
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday outlined his policy vision to achieve social justice and a clean government as part of his goal of a “golden decade” of national development.
In a 15-minute presentation during a press conference at the Presidential Office, Ma said the widening wealth gap was a major problem that required immediate attention.
A society in which there is equal distribution of wealth and everyone has access to medical care, employment and housing was integral to his goal, Ma said.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
While the Four Books and Five Classics (四書五經), a collection of Confucian writings dating back to 300 BC, are considered examples of good literature, it is inappropriate to make them mandatory texts in schools because building a Taiwanese identity and Taiwanese literature is even more important, academics said in a forum yesterday.
Discussing the de-sinicization of four Asian countries — Japan, South Korea, Mongolia and Vietnam — at a forum organized by the Taiwan Association of University Professors (TAUP), panelists made side comments on President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) recent re-election campaign ad in support of efforts to promote the reading of Chinese classics among children.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) has increased his lead over Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) in the January presidential election both in a head-to-head battle and a possible three-way race, a survey by the Taiwanese Association for Pacific Ocean Development (TAPOD) showed.
Results of the poll, conducted from Monday last week through Wednesday with 1,623 valid samples, were released at a press conference yesterday.
The poll showed that 43.2 percent of respondents would vote for Ma, while 35.9 percent would vote for Tsai. However, if People First Party Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) joined the race, Ma’s support would drop to 33.6 percent, while Tsai’s would drop to 29.8 percent, with Soong receiving 11.5 percent, while 16.9 percent were undecided.
By Chris Wang / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) today embarks on a three-day visit to Japan where she is scheduled to meet with politicians from both governing and opposition parties.
Tsai will be leading a 50-member strong delegation, which includes former representative to Japan Koh Se-kai (許世楷), former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) and several DPP legislators, for the short visit to Tokyo before returning to Taiwan on Wednesday.