Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Trong Chai (
In a written statement, Chai, a pro-independence DPP stalwart, said it was his mission to enter the chairmanship race to "safeguard the DPP's founding ideals and ensure that the DPP will continue to be in power after 2008."
Meanwhile, Presidential Office officials said yesterday that Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun may also consider running for the post of DPP chairman if he receives the clear and full support of President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
Since Vice President Annette Lu (
Some political commentators have said the temporary leader would not be the next official party chairperson because it has been customary for the acting chairperson not to run for the post.
They also said that the president intends to have one of his proteges join the election race and that Yu is one of the potential candidates.
Yesterday, Yu met briefly with Chen at the Presidential Office. Although Yu kept silent about the content of the discussion, sources said that Yu has been asking around to gauge opinion on his joining the race.
Lu clarified her stance yesterday, saying that she would not run. Lu also expressed her encouragement for Yu's decision.
"I think it's a good idea," Lu said.
Yu has been urged by some high-ranking party officials to run for chairman. Yu promised to think it over.
Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) Chairman Chang Chun-hsiung (
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (
Giving a thumbs-up to Chai's suitability for the position, Mark Chen commended Chai as a "committed person" who would be able to tackle the chaos the party is facing.
"I know Chai very well. He is the kind of person who fully commits himself to things he feels passionate about. His personality is very suitable for this job," the foreign minister told reporters on Tuesday night during a visit with a delegation of ambassadors to Nantou County.
Additional reporting by Chang Yun-ping
READY: The CGA said it closely monitored China’s maritime exercise, deployed vessels to shadow the Chinese ships one-on-one and set up emergency response centers Chinese navy and coast guard ships have returned to China, signaling the end of a massive maritime exercise, authorities said yesterday. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) released images it said showed Chinese vessels sailing north in rough seas past Taiwan on Thursday, on their way to China. “All the Chinese coast guard went back to China yesterday, so although they have not officially made any announcement, we consider it over,” CGA Deputy Director-General Hsieh Ching-chin (謝慶欽) said. Beijing has not confirmed the drills and the Chinese Ministry of National Defense did not say whether the maneuvers had taken place when asked at a
People can take the Taipei MRT free of charge if they access it at Nanjing Sanmin Station or Taipei Arena Station on the Green Line between 12am and 6am on Jan. 1, the Taipei Department of Transportation said on Friday, outlining its plans to ease crowding during New Year’s events in the capital. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend New Year’s Eve events in Taipei, with singer A-mei (張惠妹) performing at the Taipei Dome and the city government’s New Year’s Eve party at Taipei City Hall Plaza, the department said. As people have tended to use the MRT’s Blue or
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: As some roads would be fully or partially closed, people are advised to take the MRT, with services expanded to accommodate more riders This year’s Taipei Marathon, which has obtained its first gold label certification from World Athletics, is to be held from 5am to 1pm tomorrow and would have 28,000 participants. The race is to start from the Taipei City Plaza and would go through major roads throughout the city, with traffic control implemented from 6am to 2pm, officials said. The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system and New Taipei City MRT Circle line would start operating at 5am on the day of the race, they said. The race would cover Renai Road, Xinyi Road, Hangzhou S Road, Aiguo east and west roads,
Taipei is participating in Osaka’s Festival of Lights this year, with a 3m-tall bubble tea light installation symbolizing Taiwan’s bubble tea culture. The installation is designed as a bubble tea cup and features illustrations of Taipei’s iconic landmarks, such as Taipei 101, the Red House and North Gate, as well as soup dumplings and the matchmaking deity the Old Man Under the Moon (月下老人), affectionately known as Yue Lao (月老). Taipei and Osaka have collaborated closely on tourism and culture since Taipei first participated in the festival in 2018, the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism said. In February, Osaka represented
RSS