DPP heavyweights assembled in Yunlin County yesterday in a show of strength -- part of an intensifying campaign for the upcoming county commissioner by-election -- while maintaining that its candidate, Lin Chung-li (
Most importantly, they say, Lin's popularity in the post-earthquake climate has outpaced independent candidate Chang Jung-wei (
According to the latest opinion poll conducted by Global TV and the Journalist magazine, the DPP's Lin leads with about 19 percent support, while KMT candidate Chang Cheng-hsiung (
DPP leaders said yesterday that this and other recent polls held after the 921 quake reveal that the DPP has an excellent opportunity to win local administrative power in a place they have never won before.
"The quake damaged public construction, and residents are blaming it on the KMT," said one official.
"The independent, Chang, apparently lost key support in mountainous townships such as Touliu (
Kuo said he believed some of Chang's supporters have shifted to the DPP's Lin in those townships. But, he said, the DPP still regards Chang as the party's main rival.
"We have only increased our support among constituents who did not necessarily vote along party lines in the past. And Chang's support organizations have not disappeared," he said.
Kuo was part of a group of party officials who had begun working in Yunlin even before the Sept. 21 earthquake, campaigning against so-called "black gold" politics -- the abuse of power by corrupt officials -- and for a "shift in power to rescue Yunlin."
Central party leaders also arrived in Yunlin County yesterday to campaign for Lin. They began by holding their weekly Central Standing Committee meeting in Touliu and a mass campaign rally in Peikang (
Party chairman Lin I-hsiung (
"We attribute this to the KMT because it has stayed in power too long to cut the connections between local factions and gangsters," Lin said.
"Therefore, the Yunlin County by-election can be an historical symbol of Taiwan's democratic development if residents can elect an opposition commissioner," he said.
Chen Shui-bian (
"Residents in Yunlin should not be cheated again. Lin Chung-li is the only opportunity to lead Yunlin County toward the 21st century," he said.
As to the strategy of the DPP's campaign in the coming two weeks before the Nov. 6 vote, Lee Ying-yuan (李應元), the DPP's current legislative caucus leader, who was born in Yunlin, said the DPP still had to get the word out about Lin's achievements during his official career, as well as his platform of "terminating black gold."
"Chang Jun-wei still maintains a predominant position in those townships near the coast and in the central part of the county," Lee said.
In addition, two years ago in the election for commissioner, Chang nearly won, although some polls at that time placed him third, about six or seven percent behind the runner up.
Moreover, half of local residents polled did not name a choice -- those "who may be waiting for a candidate to offer a better price for their votes," DPP director Kuo added.
"We face a hard battle but are confident of winning," he said.
NEXT GENERATION: The four plants in the Central Taiwan Science Park, designated Fab 25, would consist of four 1.4-nanometer wafer manufacturing plants, TSMC said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) plans to begin construction of four new plants later this year, with the aim to officially launch production of 2-nanometer semiconductor wafers by late 2028, Central Taiwan Science Park Bureau director-general Hsu Maw-shin (許茂新) said. Hsu made the announcement at an event on Friday evening celebrating the Central Taiwan Science Park’s 22nd anniversary. The second phase of the park’s expansion would commence with the initial construction of water detention ponds and other structures aimed at soil and water conservation, Hsu said. TSMC has officially leased the land, with the Central Taiwan Science Park having handed over the
AUKUS: The Australian Ambassador to the US said his country is working with the Pentagon and he is confident that submarine issues will be resolved Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd on Friday said that if Taiwan were to fall to China’s occupation, it would unleash China’s military capacities and capabilities more broadly. He also said his country is working with the Pentagon on the US Department of Defense’s review of the AUKUS submarine project and is confident that all issues raised will be resolved. Rudd, who served as Australian prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and for three months in 2013, made the remarks at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado and stressed the longstanding US-Australia alliance and his close relationship with the US Undersecretary
‘WORLD WAR III’: Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said the aid would inflame tensions, but her amendment was rejected 421 votes against six The US House of Representatives on Friday passed the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 2026, which includes US$500 million for Taiwan. The bill, which totals US$831.5 billion in discretionary spending, passed in a 221-209 vote. According to the bill, the funds for Taiwan would be administered by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency and would remain available through Sept. 30, 2027, for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative. The legislation authorizes the US Secretary of Defense, with the agreement of the US Secretary of State, to use the funds to assist Taiwan in procuring defense articles and services, and military training. Republican Representative
TAIWAN IS TAIWAN: US Representative Tom Tiffany said the amendment was not controversial, as ‘Taiwan is not — nor has it ever been — part of Communist China’ The US House of Representatives on Friday passed an amendment banning the US Department of Defense from creating, buying or displaying any map that shows Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The “Honest Maps” amendment was approved in a voice vote on Friday as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for the 2026 fiscal year. The amendment prohibits using any funds from the act to create, buy or display maps that show Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Wuciou (烏坵), Green Island (綠島) or Orchid Island (Lanyu, 蘭嶼) as part of the PRC. The act includes US$831.5 billion in