Disregarding a mist of rain as well as a cold front, People First Party (PFP) presidential candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜) was yesterday determined to do all in his power to canvass votes for the PFP and its legislative candidates.
Earlier yesterday morning, during a campaign stop at the Lugang Tianhou Temple in Changhua County’s Lugang Township (鹿港), Soong accepted every opportunity to sign his autograph and have his photograph taken with supporters in order to promote his party and presidential bid.
Soong said that he was the safest presidential choice for Taiwan and that citizens could rest assured that if he were elected president, cross-strait conflict would not resume and Taiwan would retain its democratic liberties.
Photo: Liu Hsiao-hsin, Taipei Times
Soong also revealed that he had been contacted by the US government and that he would also receive a visit from US officials.
He said that the nation must let the US know that it would stay on the middle path by electing a stable and solid head of state.
“Such a leader would play a role in maintaining the careful balance existing between the US, Japan and China, as well as offering to be a buffer,” Soong said.
He said that by “buffer” he meant that Taiwan would be an anchor in terms of geopolitics, adding that it should also act as a buffer against time and change.
The ongoing changes in China cannot assuage Taiwanese concerns, Soong said, adding that this concern is why Taiwan should maintain its status as a free democracy.
When asked about the 18 parties vying for voters’ support in the legislator-at-large vote, Soong said he was confident the PFP’s votes would not be scattered.
However, the number of competing political parties highlights problems in Taiwan’s political system, Soong said.
The Chinese National Party (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party should not overshadow the plurality of opinions in Taiwanese society, Soong said, adding that should he be elected into office, he would seek to negotiate with the heads of the parties.
There are many aspects in the current system that should be tweaked, he said.
Later yesterday, Soong headed to Beidou Township (北斗) to campaign alongside PFP legislative candidate Chen Chao-jung (陳朝容).
Both men stuck to their campaign plan, despite heavy rain during the last leg of the event.
Soong wrapped up the night with a large rally in Taipei, touting his competence and administrative experiences as a leader of state who is able to hold the steering wheel steadily.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
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DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
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