DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (
Chen also said he would ask Lee Yuan-tseh (
Koo Chen-fu (
Chen announced the latest names on his advisors' list during a campaign rally in Taoyuan yesterday morning. Figures from cultural circles included Lin Hwai-min (
University presidents who promised to join the committee were National Chiao-tung University's Chang Chun-yen (
Support from business circles included Kao Chih-ming (
Political observers said Chen's move to announce his list of advisors, most of whom are household names and highly respected figures, would help sway the large number of voters who remain undecided on their preference of candidate.
Wang Yeh-lih (
He said Chen's choice of advisors would assuage concerns some voters still have about Chen's position on certain issues, such as cross-strait affairs where he is often seen as a firebrand.
Lin Hwai-min confirmed yesterday that he would work as Chen's advisor.
"Cultural development in Taiwan is an issue that I have been concerned about for years. I am willing to offer my advice on cultural affairs to whoever wins the presidential election and considers my advice valuable," Lin said.
Chen's move yesterday was a follow-up to his announcement last week on who would join his advisory committee.
Along with Lee, the Nobel Prize-winning chemist, other heavyweights that had promised to be Chen's advisors included Taiwan High-Speed Railway Corp chairperson Nita Ing (
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
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
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
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