The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday appealed for unity as it sought to boost the election chances of Taipei mayoral candidate Sean Lien (連勝文) at an election eve rally, with dozens of speakers saying that the party, the city and the nation cannot afford to lose the election.
Held on Ketalagan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office Building, the theme of the evening rally was “Taipei Sheng, Taiwan Win” (台北勝,台灣贏) — linking the election result of the capital city to the fate of the nation.
The slogan plays on the sheng character in Lien’s name “Sheng-wen” (勝文). Sheng means “victory” in Mandarin.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
New Party Secretary-General Lee Sheng-feng (李勝峰) was first to speak, highlighting the importance of the election to the future of the Republic of China (ROC), saying that a vote for Lien would be to defend the capital of the ROC.
Although Taipei has long been a stronghold of the KMT — voting patterns in past elections revealed a shift in blue-green support from 55-45 to 60-40 — Lien has consistently trailed his main rival, independent candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), in opinion polls before Nov. 18.
To drum up enthusiasm among pan-blue supporters, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said that Taipei cannot afford to lose the election.
Photo: CNA
Taipei has developed into a “world-class capital” after 16 years of the KMT’s governance, starting when he was elected as Taipei mayor in 1998, Ma said.
Lien meets all the qualifications to become mayor of the capital because — as opposed to Ko — Lien has respect for women, is a professional with international vision and economic expertise, and he recognizes the so-called “1992 consensus,” which is essential to cross-strait relations, Ma added.
First lady Chow Mei-ching (周美青) urged everyone to cast their ballots.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
“The election result has not only to do with you, but also Taiwan, your children and the future of the ROC. Cast your vote and vote for your future,” she said.
Lien appealed to young people in his speech.
“The problem Taiwan is facing is neither one of class nor generation. It’s the economy. I have the ability to improve the economy,” Lien said.
Other speakers included former KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (吳伯雄) — who had not made a public appearance since suffering a stroke in September that kept him from stumping for his son, John (吳志揚), who is running for re-election as Taoyuan commissioner — and KMT Legislator Ting Shou-chung (丁守中), who lost to Lien in the April party primary.
Lien’s father, former vice president Lien Chan (連戰), said that the Taipei race was a battle crucial to the future of not only Taipei and Taiwan, but also the ROC.
“Only when we win the election can we continue to move forward as a free and democratic territory, defend the values of fairness and justice, and expect limitless prospects for cross-strait relations,” Lien Chan said.
People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) had said that the party would not take sides in the election, but the KMT had Yeh Sung-nien (葉松年), head of the Friends of James Soong Association, stump for Sean Lien at the rally.
The KMT estimated the turnout at about 80,000 people.
CALL FOR SUPPORT: President William Lai called on lawmakers across party lines to ensure the livelihood of Taiwanese and that national security is protected President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday called for bipartisan support for Taiwan’s investment in self-defense capabilities at the christening and launch of two coast guard vessels at CSBC Corp, Taiwan’s (台灣國際造船) shipyard in Kaohsiung. The Taipei (台北) is the fourth and final ship of the Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessels, and the Siraya (西拉雅) is the Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) first-ever ocean patrol vessel, the government said. The Taipei is the fourth and final ship of the Chiayi-class offshore patrol vessels with a displacement of about 4,000 tonnes, Lai said. This ship class was ordered as a result of former president Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) 2018
UKRAINE, NVIDIA: The US leader said the subject of Russia’s war had come up ‘very strongly,’ while Jenson Huang was hoping that the conversation was good Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and US President Donald Trump had differing takes following their meeting in Busan, South Korea, yesterday. Xi said that the two sides should complete follow-up work as soon as possible to deliver tangible results that would provide “peace of mind” to China, the US and the rest of the world, while Trump hailed the “great success” of the talks. The two discussed trade, including a deal to reduce tariffs slapped on China for its role in the fentanyl trade, as well as cooperation in ending the war in Ukraine, among other issues, but they did not mention
HOTEL HIRING: An official said that hoteliers could begin hiring migrant workers next year, but must adhere to a rule requiring a NT$2,000 salary hike for Taiwanese The government is to allow the hospitality industry to recruit mid-level migrant workers for housekeeping and three other lines of work after the Executive Yuan yesterday approved a proposal by the Ministry of Labor. A shortage of workers at hotels and accommodation facilities was discussed at a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee. A 2023 survey conducted by the Tourism Administration found that Taiwan’s lodging industry was short of about 6,600 housekeeping and cleaning workers, the agency said in a report to the committee. The shortage of workers in the industry is being studied, the report said. Hotel and Lodging Division Deputy Director Cheng
‘SECRETS’: While saying China would not attack during his presidency, Donald Trump declined to say how Washington would respond if Beijing were to take military action US President Donald Trump said that China would not take military action against Taiwan while he is president, as the Chinese leaders “know the consequences.” Trump made the statement during an interview on CBS’ 60 Minutes program that aired on Sunday, a few days after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in South Korea. “He [Xi] has openly said, and his people have openly said at meetings, ‘we would never do anything while President Trump is president,’ because they know the consequences,” Trump said in the interview. However, he repeatedly declined to say exactly how Washington would respond in
RSS