Kaohsiung focus of KMT, DPP election push

A campaign rally organized by the Democratic Progressive Party and several civic groups moves along the Love River in Kaohsiung yesterday. PHOTO: CHANG CHUNG-YI, TAIPEI TIMES

With only days left before municipal elections, Kaohisung became the focus of an 11th hour campaign push by politicians from across the spectrum.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) told a rally held by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and several civic groups yesterday that people should recognize the power of Taiwan as part of their individual value and bring the power to its fullest so as to create the "life of mother Taiwan."

Several DPP heavyweights, including Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) and Kaohsiung mayoral candidate Chen Chu (陳菊), joined a rally along the banks of the Love River.

Citing poem titled "Move On" (前進) written by Lai Ho (賴和) in 1928, the president urged the participants to support Chen Chu in Saturday's mayoral election because only when Kaohsiung moves forward can there be "light, direction, hope and strength" for the city.

The president said the city had made significant progress during former mayor Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) time in office, including the dredging of the Love River and work on the nearly-completed Kaohsiung Rapid Transit construction project.

"Some people said [the election] on Dec. 9 will be a `confidence vote.' If it really were, it will not be a vote on me or Chinese Nationalist Party Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), but one on Hsieh's achievements during his mayoral term," the president said.

Earlier, Lu urged rally participants to vote for Chen Chu to set a new historical record by making the DPP candidate the first woman mayor of a municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the central government.

Lu Kaohsiung should become the nation's second capital and a "new gateway" of Taiwan if the nation wanted to be connected to the world.

"There are still five days to go. [This is] your dream and our dream. Let's join hands and work hard together," Lu said. "Let the world come to Taiwan and let Taiwan join the world, starting from Kaohsiung."

Meanwhile, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said that the result of the Kaohsiung mayoral election would be too close to call.

"There is a even chance that Chen Chu will win ... the crucial factor will be the turnout of supporters," the premier told reporters when he attended an activity celebrating the 40th anniversary of the city's export processing zone.

The event was hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs to promote the achievements of export processing zones in Kaohsiung.

Su been actively campaigning for Chen Chu along with other Cabinet members, but he has rarely been seen stumping for DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Frank Hsieh (謝長廷).

When asked whether his different levels of support were due to alleged frictions with Hsieh, Su dismissed the speculation, saying that he was at Hsieh's beck and call.

"I was planning to make a speech at his [Hsieh's] election-eve rally, but [Hsieh's camp] wishes to take a soft approach to canvass for votes and has declined other politicians' appearance. I would fully cooperate with their arrangements," Su said.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) also held a campaign rally and parade in Kaoshiung yesterday to promote its mayoral candidate, Huang Chun-ying (黃俊英).

The parade began in the afternoon. Several KMT heavyweights, including KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), led supporters walking in from five routes around of the city to a central square, where tens of thousands cheered for Huang and the party.

Most of the KMT's mayoral and commissioner candidates from around the country attended the rally, along with a number of KMT legislators.

In his speech, former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) said Kaoshiung residents have suffered from an economic recession and high unemployment because of the uncompetitiveness of the DPP central administration and city government.

Since the DPP government has blocked most cross-strait exchanges, the operations of the Kaohsiung Harbor and Kaoshiung International Airport have declined in recent years, and Kaoshiung residents are losing job opportunities, he said.

Lien the DPP administration had begun the construction of a mass rapid transit (MRT) system for the city, but the project has become mired in corruption scandals.

Huang the DPP's gathering on the banks of the Love River was aimed at highlighting the city government's cleanup of the river, but the city's priority should be economic recovering and improving the life of its residents, not promoting sightseeing places.

Ma the extent of DPP corruption, adding that Huang would build a clean city government.

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