Stop criticizing Tsai, Chen says

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is asking his supporters to stop criticizing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) for not seeking medical parole for him, the spokesperson of his private medical team said.

“[Chen] asked me to stop criticizing Tsai in my articles and public comments. He said that while he did not think what I did was a mistake, it would be better to stop criticizing Tsai and calling for people to cast spoilt ballots in the presidential election in 2016,” Janice Chen (陳昭姿), the spokesperson, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night after visiting the former president in the prison hospital in Greater Taichung earlier that day.

EDITORIAL: Freezing the independence clause

Tue, Jul 22, 2014 - Page 8

For the time being, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is able to evade the controversial proposal to freeze the party’s Taiwan independence clause after DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) sent it to the party’s Central Executive Committee for further discussion at the party congress on Sunday.

Rest assured that the issue is set to cause infighting and fiery debate within the party in the future. When it comes to independence, things have always been complex.

Initiators of independence clause hail Tsai’s decision

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Initiators of the controversial proposal to freeze the Taiwan independence clause in the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) charter yesterday said that DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) reserving the proposal for future discussion was a “wise decision.”

“[Tsai’s handling of the proposal] was good for the party... I respect her move. It was a wise decision,” former DPP legislator Chen Zau-nan (陳昭南), who drafted the proposal with former DPP legislator Julian Kuo (郭正亮), told a radio interview hosted by Clara Chou (周玉蔻).

Tsai’s allies make gains at DPP congress

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) leadership for the next two years took shape yesterday during elections at the annual congress as DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) gained an ability to influence the party’s power structure for the first time.

Tsai, who neither established her own alliance nor became affiliated with any grouping when she served as chairperson between 2008 and 2012, yesterday saw allies voted onto the party’s key decisionmaking bodies — the Central Executive Committee and the Central Standing Committee.

DPP’s Tsai evades charter clause fight

COMMITTEE CURVE BALL:Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen headed off contentious debate by pushing a raft of policy proposals to a committee
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday sent all the proposals in the national party congress regarding the DPP’s China policy, including the widely discussed freezing of its Taiwan independence clause, to the party’s Central Executive Committee without discussion, defusing potential tension surrounding the issue despite drawing criticism from party members.

Citing time constraints, Tsai, who presided over the meeting, proposed to send the initiatives to the committee because there was “not enough time left for a thorough discussion over the much-disputed and important issue regarding changing the party charter.”

DPP optimistic about Taichung election chances

CHANGHUA DEAL?The party visited the father of an independent hopeful in the county to discuss a partnership, but said it still thinks its candidate can win
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday said it was cautiously optimistic about the Greater Taichung mayoral election in November, with the party’s candidate, DPP Legislator Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍), leading incumbent Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) by almost 20 percentage points in the party’s latest survey.

“In a poll conducted by the DPP three days ago, Lin enjoyed a comfortable lead of 48 percent to Hu’s 29 percent. Moreover, 45.3 percent of respondents favored Lin as the winner, with only 29.6 percent picking Hu, who is seeking re-election,” DPP spokesperson Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) said.

Beijing will learn to deal with DPP: Tsai

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

If the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is able to do well in the seven-in-one elections in November, Beijing would have no option but to adjust its strategy toward the party because it has always been pragmatic, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said in an interview.

“Simply put, whoever seizes the momentum, others would shift toward the powerful side,” Tsai said in response to a question about the DPP’s relations with Beijing in an interview with the Chinese-language CommonWealth Magazine published on Wednesday.

Tsai rejects mayoral campaign rumors

NOT CHASING CHU:The DPP chairperson said that her role as campaign director for New Taipei City mayoral candidate Yu Shyi-kun was returning a favor to a colleague
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday dismissed a rumor alleging that she is trying to “annihilate” New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu’s (朱立倫) potential presidential campaign two years in advance.

She also made remarks on what she described as the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) traditional smear campaign tactics.

Tsai denies DPP plans to dump Yu Shyi-kun

‘IRREPLACEABLE’:Tsai cited Yu’s experience as premier and Yilan County commissioner as he readies to face the DPP’s toughest opponent in Mayor Eric Chu
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday campaigned for the party’s New Taipei City mayoral candidate, Yu Shyi-kun, denying rumors that Yu would eventually be replaced.

“The election will be a challenge for us, but we are determined to achieve the best results,” Tsai said at a breakfast meeting in the city’s Banciao District (板橋) yesterday morning, a day after Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) announced his decision to run for re-election.

SMEs, innovation likely economic drivers: Tsai

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovation — not large corporations and capitalists — are what should drive Taiwan’s next-generation economy, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said in an interview published online yesterday, warning that the nation’s economic development can not afford to favor the rich and the powerful anymore.

In an interview with the Chinese-language Common Wealth magazine that touched upon the issues of the proposed free economic pilot zones and free trade, Tsai highlighted the urgency for Taiwan to develop a new economic model for prosperity and President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration’s fallacious economic policy scheme.

Lee Teng-hui favors presidential system of government for Taiwan, report says

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) said he favored presidentialism as the system of government for Taiwan, because a powerful president is more likely to push vital reforms, the Chinese-language Wealth magazine reported.

Asked to choose between the presidential system and parliamentary system, Lee said in an interview with the magazine that while the latter has advantages and is supported by many, the former would better fit Taiwan.

Minister says give economic pilot zones ‘a fair chance’

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

National Development Council Minister Kuan Chung-min (管中閔) yesterday defended the government’s proposal to establish free economic pilot zones and urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to give the policy a “fair chance” to succeed.

In an open letter published by the Chinese-language Apple Daily yesterday, Kuan challenged the view of DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who expressed her concern and opposition to the project in a letter published by the same newspaper on Monday.

Policy for pilot zones faulty: Tsai

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) free economic pilot zones policy is based on faulty logic, which assumes more market opening would lead to economic prosperity, without recognizing the importance of upgrading Taiwan’s industrial structure, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

Engaged in a debate in the past two weeks with the Ma administration over the impact of the planned pilot zone project, which looks to serve as a model for business convenience and liberalization, Tsai wrote an open letter, published by the Chinese-language Apple Daily yesterday.

Pilot zones not a solution: Tsai

‘OUTDATED’:：A former finance minister said the government’s economic policy seems to be stuck in the 1970s and 1980s, when export processing zones drove GDP growth
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Greater Taichung
Wed, Jun 11, 2014 - Page 3

A mature and open economy like Taiwan should not bank on the establishment of special economic zones to drive economic development, and even if they are necessary, they would be completely different from what President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has proposed, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

“The DPP will demand that the government submit a comprehensive plan and assessment on how the free economic pilot zones would help upgrade Taiwan’s industry and benefit local sectors before agreeing to review the special statute awaiting screening in the legislature. The party does not rule out proposing its own initiative,” Tsai said at the conclusion of the DPP’s two-day policy meeting in Greater Taichung.

Pilot zones an ‘empty’ policy, Tsai says

ECONOMIC REVIVAL:The government should concentrate on promoting industrial upgrading and transformation, and developing core industries, the DPP leader said
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Greater Taichung

The government’s free economic pilot zones (FEPZs) project is an “empty” policy that showcases the fundamental error that President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration has made in its move to revive the nation’s economy, Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday in Greater Taichung.

“The FEPZ project could serve as a policy tool and a supplementary measure to stimulate the domestic economy, but it should be goal-oriented and selective,” Tsai said in her opening remarks at a party policy meeting aimed at discussing key agenda for the extra legislative session that begins on Friday.

DPP faces wide agenda in ‘enlarged policy meeting’

UNIFIED POSITIONS:Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-Wen laid out ambitious goals for a two-day gathering starting today in Greater Taichung
By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) opens a two-day meeting today in Greater Taichung to discuss policies and a unified position on a number of agendas, in particular on several cross-strait issues, for the upcoming extra legislative session.

Convened by DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the “enlarged policy meeting” is to bring together DPP legislators, party officials as well as mayors, and commissioners of DPP-governed administrative zones or their deputies.

Ma-Xi meeting benefits should be clarified: Tsai

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) needs to clarify to Taiwanese about his intentions and the agenda behind the proposed meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) at the APEC leaders’ meeting in Beijing in November, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

“The meeting could be discussed, but the president must explain to Taiwanese the objective for the meeting. Does it serve Taiwanese’s interests or his own?” Tsai said to media on the sidelines of an event in Greater Kaohsiung.

DPP introduces its new officials at press conference

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday introduced its new officials appointed by DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), including a pair of female directors said to excel at social advocacy, but who have no experience in politics.

DPP Deputy Secretary-General Liao Chin-kuei (廖錦桂) and Department of Women’s Development director Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀) were introduced by DPP Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) at a press conference after the first meeting of party officials under Tsai, who succeeded Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) as party chairperson on Wednesday.

Tsai urged to take action on A-bian

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has been urged to take “substantial action” to help imprisoned former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) leave prison and be put under house arrest due to his deteriorating health.

“Suffering from at least four major syndromes, Chen’s health condition is now in an alarming state, which is why Taichung Veterans General Hospital recommended he be put under home care,” Taipei Veterans General Hospital physician Kuo Cheng-deng (郭正典) said.

DPP’s Tsai vows to make changes

By Chris Wang  /  Staff reporter
Thu, May 29, 2014 - Page 3

Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday officially assumed the chair of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), vowing to succeed in November’s seven-in-one elections and change the party by promoting an internal “generational shift” and “reconnecting” it with society.

“It is time for action — it is time to roll up the sleeves and go to work. We won’t be able to change the country unless we make changes to our party first,” Tsai said at the handover ceremony in Taipei at which she took the helm of the party from her predecessor, Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).