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
ROLLER-COASTER RIDE: More than five earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.4 to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook eastern Taiwan in rapid succession yesterday afternoon Back-to-back weather fronts are forecast to hit Taiwan this week, resulting in rain across the nation in the coming days, the Central Weather Administration said yesterday, as it also warned residents in mountainous regions to be wary of landslides and rockfalls. As the first front approached, sporadic rainfall began in central and northern parts of Taiwan yesterday, the agency said, adding that rain is forecast to intensify in those regions today, while brief showers would also affect other parts of the nation. A second weather system is forecast to arrive on Thursday, bringing additional rain to the whole nation until Sunday, it
LANDSLIDES POSSIBLE: The agency advised the public to avoid visiting mountainous regions due to more expected aftershocks and rainfall from a series of weather fronts A series of earthquakes over the past few days were likely aftershocks of the April 3 earthquake in Hualien County, with further aftershocks to be expected for up to a year, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. Based on the nation’s experience after the quake on Sept. 21, 1999, more aftershocks are possible over the next six months to a year, the agency said. A total of 103 earthquakes of magnitude 4 on the local magnitude scale or higher hit Hualien County from 5:08pm on Monday to 10:27am yesterday, with 27 of them exceeding magnitude 5. They included two, of magnitude
CONDITIONAL: The PRC imposes secret requirements that the funding it provides cannot be spent in states with diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Emma Reilly said China has been bribing UN officials to obtain “special benefits” and to block funding from countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, a former UN employee told the British House of Commons on Tuesday. At a House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee hearing into “international relations within the multilateral system,” former Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) employee Emma Reilly said in a written statement that “Beijing paid bribes to the two successive Presidents of the [UN] General Assembly” during the two-year negotiation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Another way China exercises influence within the UN Secretariat is
Taiwan’s first drag queen to compete on the internationally acclaimed RuPaul’s Drag Race, Nymphia Wind (妮妃雅), was on Friday crowned the “Next Drag Superstar.” Dressed in a sparkling banana dress, Nymphia Wind swept onto the stage for the final, and stole the show. “Taiwan this is for you,” she said right after show host RuPaul announced her as the winner. “To those who feel like they don’t belong, just remember to live fearlessly and to live their truth,” she said on stage. One of the frontrunners for the past 15 episodes, the 28-year-old breezed through to the final after weeks of showcasing her unique