Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) resigned as party chairman yesterday, pending the approval of the party's Central Executive Committee, which is to call a meeting today to discuss the matter.
Another meeting will also be called to examine the party's recent election defeats. Recommendations will be presented to a provisional National Congress, the date of which will be decided by the Central Executive Committee today.
Also on the National Congress' agenda is amending the party charter and election rules for party officials.
PHOTO: WALLY SANTANA, AP
DPP Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元) told reporters after yesterday's Central Standing Committee meeting that committee members resolved to ask Hsieh to assist the party with its soul-searching and reform program until a new party leader is elected on May 25.
Lee refused to describe the resolution as an attempt to ask Hsieh to stay, saying Hsieh had made it clear that he would not stand in the party chairman election or any race for public office.
Lee said he did not know whether Hsieh would accept the committee's request, but one thing was clear: Hsieh would not accept the offer "if its sole purpose was to get him to stay."
The committee's request came in response to a petition initiated by DPP Legislator Chai Trong-rong (
Hsieh's resignation came on the heels of the DPP's defeat in Saturday's election. It is customary in the DPP for the party chairman to bear responsibility for an election loss by resigning.
Hsieh succeeded President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) as party chairman following the DPP's losses in the legislative elections in January.
Saying the party must fully examine its three recent election losses, Hsieh yesterday proposed during the Central Standing Committee meeting that first, the party must assess its position and realize that it is about to become an opposition that "has nothing at all."
"The people do not have the obligation to support the DPP," he said. "If we do not implement a thorough reform, it is possible that we will dissolve in the near future."
Secondly, Hsieh said that the party must solicit more young members and let them participate in the party's reform program and decision-making process.
Thirdly, Hsieh proposed holding a temporary National Congress meeting to let party representatives voice their opinions and discuss the party's future and its course. The party should amend its charter and election rules so younger members can elect the next leader in May, he said.
Finally, Hsieh urged the party to serve as a check on the power of the ruling party, but they should help the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) implement good policies, he said.
He also called on president-elect Ma Ying-jeou (
Meanwhile, Hsieh and Presidential Office Secretary-General Yeh Chu-lan (
Hsieh said he did not meet former DPP chairman Shih Ming-teh (
Shih claimed that Hsieh's campaign agreed to force Chen to step down in an attempt to salvage the DPP's election.
CHANGING LANDSCAPE: Many of the part-time programs for educators were no longer needed, as many teachers obtain a graduate degree before joining the workforce, experts said Taiwanese universities this year canceled 86 programs, Ministry of Education data showed, with educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends. Fifty-three of the shuttered programs were part-time postgraduate degree programs, about 62 percent of the total, the most in the past five years, the data showed. National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) discontinued the most part-time master’s programs, at 16: chemistry, life science, earth science, physics, fine arts, music, special education, health promotion and health education, educational psychology and counseling, education, design, Chinese as a second language, library and information sciences, mechatronics engineering, history, physical education
The Chinese military has boosted its capability to fight at a high tempo using the element of surprise and new technology, the Ministry of National Defense said in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) published on Monday last week. The ministry highlighted Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) developments showing significant changes in Beijing’s strategy for war on Taiwan. The PLA has made significant headway in building capabilities for all-weather, multi-domain intelligence, surveillance, operational control and a joint air-sea blockade against Taiwan’s lines of communication, it said. The PLA has also improved its capabilities in direct amphibious assault operations aimed at seizing strategically important beaches,
‘MALIGN PURPOSE’: Governments around the world conduct espionage operations, but China’s is different, as its ultimate goal is annexation, a think tank head said Taiwan is facing a growing existential threat from its own people spying for China, experts said, as the government seeks to toughen measures to stop Beijing’s infiltration efforts and deter Taiwanese turncoats. While Beijing and Taipei have been spying on each other for years, experts said that espionage posed a bigger threat to Taiwan due to the risk of a Chinese attack. Taiwan’s intelligence agency said China used “diverse channels and tactics” to infiltrate the nation’s military, government agencies and pro-China organizations. The main targets were retired and active members of the military, persuaded by money, blackmail or pro-China ideology to steal
DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
RSS