Cross-strait policies and personality traits became the focal points of yesterday's presidential debate, the first-ever televised presidential debate in the nation's history.
President Chen Shui-bian (
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
During his eight-minute concluding statement, Chen took aim at Lien's idea that sovereignty issues should be put aside when dealing with China, saying that such an approach was hazardous.
"We have to stand firm on the nation's sovereignty, not put it aside; this is highly dangerous," Chen said. "Our stance is clear; that is, the national name of Taiwan is the Republic of China and we're dedicated to safeguarding the status quo across the Taiwan Strait."
Chen also called on Lien to stop hindering the nation's first national referendum, which is scheduled to be held alongside the presidential poll on March 20.
"You can disagree with it but please don't obstruct it," Chen said. "History will have its final say on his opposition today."
Dismissing Lien's upbraiding of his personality traits, Chen said that he is not a capricious person.
"My hairstyle has never changed over the years nor my love for my wife," he said. "Besides, I've never abused her and never will."
Chen was referring to a long-standing rumor that Lien has physically abused his wife, Lien Fang Yu (
Chen said the referendum gave power to the people, adding that he supported this because he had faith in the people and their wisdom.
He also called on the public to help him and his running mate Vice President Annette Lu (
"Don't let someone who cares so little about the nation's sovereignty and is inconsistent in his cross-strait policy rule the nation," Chen said.
Lien, however, focussed on Chen's character.
"In my opinion, a good national leader has to be responsible, reliable, consistent in his or her words and behaviors and a team player," he said.
"Why do we need a president who blames the nation's economic downturn on global recession, the poor political climate on the lawmaking body and the cross-strait stalemate on opposition parties," Lien said.
Were he elected, Lien said that he would be committed to establishing a clean and efficient government, resuscitating the economy, creating a fear-free and discrimination-free society and instituting a peaceful cross-strait relationship under the premise of equality and dignity.
"I'm calling on the public to send those in power but incompetent in governing the country home to reflect on themselves and give those who have a yearning to serve the people and the country a second chance," Lien said. "The nation desperately needs a change and it's needed now. Only change can bring us hope."
During the eight-minute opening speech, Chen highlighted his intention to push for reforms, boost the economy and build a safer and more stable homeland for the 23 million people of Taiwan.
Likening national development to house-building, Chen said that a high-rise building requires not only a good height but also a solid foundation.
Chen also called on opposition lawmakers to help push the passage of financial, judicial and legislative reform bills and sunshine bills in the legislature.
During the third section of the debate where the two candidates posed questions to one another, Chen challenged Lien to help push through a bill now in the legislature which would halve the number of legislative seats by March 20.
Lien, however, remained evasive and said that it had always been the KMT's policy to halve the legislative body.
Lien questioned the necessity of the election-day referendums, while Chen called on Lien not to hamper the referendums because they were the best way for Taiwan to protect itself.
Taxes, government debt, education, judicial reforms and constitutional amendment of the government system were among the topics of the 10 questions filed by the five questioners during the question and answer segment.
Also See Story:
Chen and Lien face the nation
MORE VISITORS: The Tourism Administration said that it is seeing positive prospects in its efforts to expand the tourism market in North America and Europe Taiwan has been ranked as the cheapest place in the world to travel to this year, based on a list recommended by NerdWallet. The San Francisco-based personal finance company said that Taiwan topped the list of 16 nations it chose for budget travelers because US tourists do not need visas and travelers can easily have a good meal for less than US$10. A bus ride in Taipei costs just under US$0.50, while subway rides start at US$0.60, the firm said, adding that public transportation in Taiwan is easy to navigate. The firm also called Taiwan a “food lover’s paradise,” citing inexpensive breakfast stalls
TRADE: A mandatory declaration of origin for manufactured goods bound for the US is to take effect on May 7 to block China from exploiting Taiwan’s trade channels All products manufactured in Taiwan and exported to the US must include a signed declaration of origin starting on May 7, the Bureau of Foreign Trade announced yesterday. US President Donald Trump on April 2 imposed a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, but one week later announced a 90-day pause on its implementation. However, a universal 10 percent tariff was immediately applied to most imports from around the world. On April 12, the Trump administration further exempted computers, smartphones and semiconductors from the new tariffs. In response, President William Lai’s (賴清德) administration has introduced a series of countermeasures to support affected
CROSS-STRAIT: The vast majority of Taiwanese support maintaining the ‘status quo,’ while concern is rising about Beijing’s influence operations More than eight out of 10 Taiwanese reject Beijing’s “one country, two systems” framework for cross-strait relations, according to a survey released by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday. The MAC’s latest quarterly survey found that 84.4 percent of respondents opposed Beijing’s “one country, two systems” formula for handling cross-strait relations — a figure consistent with past polling. Over the past three years, opposition to the framework has remained high, ranging from a low of 83.6 percent in April 2023 to a peak of 89.6 percent in April last year. In the most recent poll, 82.5 percent also rejected China’s
PLUGGING HOLES: The amendments would bring the legislation in line with systems found in other countries such as Japan and the US, Legislator Chen Kuan-ting said Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Kuan-ting (陳冠廷) has proposed amending national security legislation amid a spate of espionage cases. Potential gaps in security vetting procedures for personnel with access to sensitive information prompted him to propose the amendments, which would introduce changes to Article 14 of the Classified National Security Information Protection Act (國家機密保護法), Chen said yesterday. The proposal, which aims to enhance interagency vetting procedures and reduce the risk of classified information leaks, would establish a comprehensive security clearance system in Taiwan, he said. The amendment would require character and loyalty checks for civil servants and intelligence personnel prior to
RSS