Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said that unless the “sky is falling,” he would not join the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Ko made the comment in response to media queries about whether he would consider joining the party to fend off competition from potential DPP rivals in his re-election bid.
Ko, an independent, said he would keep his promise and not join any political party before his current term expires.
“Unless the sky is falling and the Earth is cracking open, I will strive to keep my word,” the mayor said.
Ko added that launching an election campaign for 2018 is a personal matter and that it does not constitute a reason for him to join the DPP.
DPP Legislator Pasuya Yao (姚文智) has been seen gearing up for the 2018 Taipei mayoral election.
Yao is organizing a forum slated for next month on Taipei’s “smart” infrastructure and e-commerce, and he has asked Minister Without Portfolio Audrey Tang (唐鳳) to speak on the topic.
Yao has hinted that he would run for Taipei mayor and the move is viewed as part of his preparations for the mayoral race.
Ko said Tang is a talent in the high-tech sector, so it is only natural that Yao has invited her to give a speech.
On whether he felt “threatened” by Yao, Ko said his greatest enemy is himself and that he would focus on his job for now.
An undersea cable to Penghu County has been severed, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said today, with a Chinese-funded ship suspected of being responsible. It comes just a month after a Chinese ship was suspected of severing an undersea cable north of Keelung Harbor. The National Communications and Cyber Security Center received a report at 3:03am today from Chunghwa Telecom that the No. 3 cable from Taiwan to Penghu was severed 14.7km off the coast of Tainan, the Ministry of Digital Affairs said. The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) upon receiving a report from Chunghwa Telecom began to monitor the Togolese-flagged Hong Tai (宏泰)
EVA Air is prohibiting the use of portable chargers on board all flights starting from Saturday, while China Airlines is advising passengers not to use them, following the lead of South Korean airlines. Current regulations prohibit portable chargers and lithium batteries from check-in luggage and require them to be properly packed in carry-on baggage, EVA Air said. To improve onboard safety, portable chargers and spare lithium batteries would be prohibited from use on all fights starting on Saturday, it said. Passengers are advised to fully charge electronic devices before boarding and use the AC and USB charging outlets at their seat, it said. South
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