Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) announced yesterday that she has no intention of running for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chair in the Jan. 15 by-election.
"I've never had any intention of entering the DPP chairmanship election. I only want to help party members conduct the election in a fair manner," Lu, said yesterday in a written statement issued by the DPP's culture and publicity department.
Lu also said in the statement that instead of entering the race, she was more interested in seeing the DPP elect a new leader who can "help revitalize the party, accelerate democratic reform and also help Taiwan meet all the challenges presented by globalization."
"As acting chairwoman, I will work with party members to improve the party's discipline, integrity and overall spirit," her statement read.
Lu was nominated as acting chairwoman during a DPP Central Standing Committee earlier this month after former chairman Su Tseng-chang (
Lu already created a stir earlier this week after announcing her intention to resign as acting chair but then deciding to stay in the post. Facing speculation that she may run for the chairmanship election, Lu clarified the issue yesterday with her statement.
Meanwhile, DPP Legislator Chai Trong-rong (
"The DPP suffered a major setback in the elections because it has failed to insist on the ideals of `Taiwan first' and integrity first ? that is why I have decided to step forward and fight for a better future for Taiwan," he said yesterday while filling out the registration form and presenting the required deposit of NT$1.5 million (US$44,776) at the party's headquarters.
Presidential Office Secretary-General Yu Shyi-kun, who Thursday made public his decision to run in the race, said yesterday that President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had already approved his resignation.
The party's chairmanship election promises to be a hotly-contested race with several DPP heavyweights expected to be among the candidates.
DPP Secretary-General Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) said party members who are interested in running for the post will be able to register from tomorrow until Dec. 20. A review of candidates' qualifications will be held on Dec. 21.
The results of the election will be announced on Jan. 18, Lee said.
A televised debate between the candidates is also scheduled.
In related news, an open letter addressed to all DPP members from former party chairman Lin I-hsiung (林義雄) yesterday said that it was inappropriate for those who have already served as either president, vice president, premier or DPP chairman to run in the Jan. 15 chairmanship race.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS