Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
Citing Wang's reservations about the signature drive, KMT legislator and Central Standing Committee member Lee Chuan-chiao (
According to Lee, he cancelled the drive because Wang expressed concern over the initiative and the impact that it might have on the party.
"He thought that it was inappropriate for me to launch the signature drive, and he was worried that the campaign might confuse some party members," he said.
Lee had planned to solicit support from fellow legislators to back Wang as KMT chairman.
However, Lee said that he would respect Wang's wishes regarding the position, and that his drive would only be effective if current party Chairman Lien Chan (
Commenting on Ma's announced intention to run in the chairmanship election, Lee said that he thought it was a good thing, and that he and Ma are good friends.
Ma, who has been dogged by the media about whether he would campaign for the job, yesterday finally said that he "is willing to give it a try" for the sake of reforming the party, cooperation between the KMT and People First Party (PFP) and the integration of the pan-blue camp.
Ma's remark followed Lien's call yesterday for talented party members to take part in May's chairmanship election, as well as year-end elections of city mayors and county commissioners.
During the party's Lunar New Year greeting yesterday, Lien, who is currently out of the country, issued a statement to his fellow party members, calling for outstanding party members to come forward and strive for nominations for the two upcoming elections.
He also pledged to continue to safeguard the national interest, serve as a gatekeeper for national wealth and the taxpayers' money and push for party reform.
When asked about Ma's remark, Wang yesterday gave Ma his best wishes and congratulations, but remained evasive on his own intentions.
Wang reiterated that he will fully support Lien if the KMT chairman decides to seek re-election, but refused to say whether he would run if Lien doesn't. He also declined to say whether, if he decides not to run, who he will endorse Ma for the position.
DPP caucus whip Lai Ching-te (
New Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (
"If the competition between Wang and Ma became too fierce, it might lead to Lien's seeking re-election," he said. "But if Lien eventually decides to let go, I think Wang would be a better choice for the party."
He also said that the KMT can only become a genuine localized political party if it lets Wang take the party's helm.
The PFP said that it had no intention of taking sides on the matter, and that it wishes the best of luck to both Wang and Ma. PFP Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) show of neutrality was offset, however, by rumors yesterday that he is slated to meet with Wang tomorrow.
Before the Lunar New Year, reports indicated that Soong had refused a meeting with Ma after Ma's aides attempted to arrange one.
"I don't want to interfere with the internal affairs of any political party," Soong said, explaining that he had refused Ma's proposal to meet because he had only planned to meet with close friends and relatives over the Lunar New Year holiday.
"I had no intention of drawing Wang closer while pushing Ma away,'" Soong said.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS