Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) ended months of speculation yesterday when he turned down Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) invitation to be his running mate.
"I was hoping for `Ma-Wang cooperation' before seeking a `Ma-Wang ticket,' but [former] chairman Ma wanted an answer immediately. I thanked him for his invitation, but it's been very busy in the legislature, so I had to decline," Wang said after a closed-door meeting with Ma at Wang's home.
Although there will be no "Ma-Wang ticket," Wang said he would cooperate with Ma in pushing for KMT victory in both the legislative and presidential elections.
PHOTO: WANG YI-SUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Wang said that he and Ma were still divided on many issues, including campaign platforms, future policies and goals, as well as the KMT's assets problem.
"Without reaching a consensus on these issues, the problems will not disappear merely as a result of our pairing up," he said.
Refusing to comment on whether he would join Ma's campaign team, Wang said that he would focus on his work in the Legislative Yuan for now.
Standing next to Wang, Ma said he was disappointed by Wang's decision, but added that he would start searching for another running mate.
"I haven't put any effort into searching for other possible vice presidential candidates, so I will have to start the search now," Ma said.
Ma declined to comment on who he might consider as running mate, but said he hoped to find someone who would complement him and help win the presidential election.
The KMT is expected to formally nominate a presidential and vice presidential candidate during its party congress on June 24, which leaves Ma less than three weeks to find a running mate.
Wang yesterday accused the KMT of damaging his relationship with Ma by spreading rumors that he had negotiated with KMT Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (
The Chinese-language China Times and United Daily News reported Wu had promised Wang that he would be in charge of domestic policies as vice president, while Ma would focus on national defense and international relations.
"Chairman Wu brought up the issue, but I asked him to stop talking about power distribution. The newspapers, however, claimed that I had been the one to raise the topic. Ridiculous!" Wang said.
He urged the KMT not to spread any rumors that would jeopardize the trusting relationship between him and Ma.
Wang also denied having delayed his reply to Ma's invitation.
"I informed chairman Ma of my decision a long time ago. The public has been misinformed," he said.
Ma acknowledged that Wang had turned down his offer in April at a meeting with former KMT secretary-general Chan Chun-po (
Ma said he would support Wang's decision to stay in the legislature, and called for party unity.
The former Taipei mayor said that they had informed former KMT chairman Lien Chan (
Ma said that he and Wang would not reconsider.
Ma formally offered Wang the vice presidential ticket on May 9.
Wang had said last Saturday that he would rather speak of "Ma-Wang cooperation" than a "Ma-Wang ticket."
Wu has previously denied talking to the media about his meeting with Wang and dismissed reports that he had asked Wang to reserve a certain amount of power for him as vice president if he accepted Ma's offer.
Wu said in a statement that he had urged Wang to pair up with Ma to increase the party's odds in the presidential election and had not addressed the power issue.
Also see story:
Editorial: Where are Taiwan's real leaders?
BAIL APPEALS: The former vice premier was ordered to be held incommunicado despite twice being granted bail and paying a total of NT$12 million in bond The Taoyuan District Court yesterday ordered the detention of former vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), who is being investigated for alleged corruption while serving as Taoyuan mayor from December 2014 to December 2022, and that he be held incommunicado. The court made the ruling during a bail hearing after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice. Cheng on Saturday was released after posting bail of NT$5 million (US$153,818). However, after prosecutors lodged an appeal, the High Court on Monday revoked the original ruling and ordered the Taoyuan District Court to hold another bail hearing. On Tuesday, the district court granted bail to Cheng a second
The Thai government on Friday announced that Taiwanese would be allowed to stay in the country for up to 60 days per entry, under the Southeast Asian country’s visa-free program starting from today. Taiwan is among 93 countries included in the Thai visa-waiver program, which has been expanded from 57 countries, with the visa-exempt entry extended from 30 to 60 days. After taking office last year, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has vowed to grant more visa waivers to foreign travelers as part of efforts to stimulate tourism. The expanded visa-waiver program was on Friday signed by Thai Minister of the Interior Anutin
PEACE AND SECURITY: China’s military ambitions present ‘the greatest strategic challenge to Japan and the world, Japan’s annual defense white paper said yesterday Japan yesterday warned that China risked escalating tensions with Taiwan with an increase in military exercises that appeared aimed in part at readying Beijing’s forces for a possible invasion. Japan’s annual assessment of security threats, including those posed by China, North Korea and Russia, comes as Taiwan closely monitors Chinese People’s Liberation Army air and sea exercises, including one with the Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean. The drills are the latest in a series including maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait last year that a senior US general said would be key to any invasion. “Because of that increase in military activity,
HAN KUANG: The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers said The armed forces would for the first time test new rules of engagement (ROE) at this month’s annual Han Kuang exercises, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said yesterday. The exercises, which are to run from July 22 to 26, will feature unscripted war games, and a decentralized command and control structure, military officers told a news conference in Taipei. ROE cards would be issued to select combat troops to test their ability to function without tight control, they said. The most recent edition of the rules was published last year, they said. One of the cards’ two templates identifies enemy targets that soldiers