By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is coming back “better, stronger and greener” with a “Green New Deal” initiative in its quest to return to power in 2016, DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) told the foreign diplomatic corps in Taiwan yesterday.
The Green New Deal, which includes sustainable development, good governance, social justice and alliances with democratic countries, is the DPP’s pledge for Taiwan’s future, Su said in a speech at a reception luncheon to mark the party’s 27th anniversary.
Representatives from more than 30 countries attended the luncheon.
Speaking in English, Su highlighted the party’s achievements in the past year and its future direction. He also spoke about the party’s cautious optimism toward the local elections next year.
DPP legislators, city mayors and county commissioners have all outranked and outperformed their Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) peers, Su said, adding that the party has always paid close attention to environmental and social justice issues.
In addition to its insistence on a nuclear-free homeland, the DPP “will push hard on renewable energy sources, in particular LED and LVD lighting and the use of solar panels,” Su said.
The party is also seeking to expand its international relations and establish a democratic alliance based on the shared value of democracy by engaging in collaboration with allies, among them Japan, Canada and the US, Su said.
The DPP is holding a four-day celebration of its anniversary in central Taiwan from today through Saturday, with several events scheduled in Greater Taichung, Nantou County and Changhua County to drum up support in a region seen as the key battleground in next year’s seven-in-one elections.