Facing the new millennium, Taiwan's political heavyweights following custom and made statements concerning their new year resolutions.
President Lee Teng-hui (
"The presidential election will produce a positive impact, consolidating our constitutional politics and strengthening democracy in our country,'' Lee said.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Lee proposed six major goals, including accelerating post-921 quake rebuilding, promoting the economy and striving for more international dialogue to cope with the new political and economical climate.
He placed reconstruction following the 921 earthquake as his first priority, hoping people would be able to move out of the shadow of the quake as soon as possible.
The president also said he would continue to seek international recognition in spite of China's opposition.
"We firmly advocate that cross-strait issues should expand constructive dialogue, based on an equal footing.''
But Lee emphasized that "in the meanwhile, we must endeavor to participate in international organizations, broaden our foreign ties and ensure our rightful status in the new international order.''
The DPP's presidential hopeful Chen Shui-bian (
Accompanied by campaign staff members, Chen yesterday went up the tallest building in Taipei, the Shin Kong Building, with its commanding view of the city and Presidential Office.
The act was seen as symbolic of Chen's position to win the presidential race, particularly now independent candidate presidential candidate James Soong (
Chen said that the cross-strait relationship with China provided the most crucial challenge for Taiwan in the next century.
Under the precondition of national security, Chen said cross-strait development should follow the line of: "Competition but no clash, open dialogue rather than open hostilities.''
Furthermore, Chen said in order to welcome the new millennium, Taiwan needs to apply "rotation of power between parties" in order to avoid constitutional chaos, financial instability and "black gold" politics.
"Shifts of power among the parties is not just the cornerstone for consolidating the democracy, but is also a watershed for the second phase of reform,'' Chen said.
Soong, meanwhile, had the same aspirations as Chen, hoping the Taiwan Strait would not become the first battlefield of the 21st century.
Encouraged by the enthusiasm of young supporters in Taichung, Soong described his mood as "very high.''
"We [voters] want peace and stability. [Speaking of] that older generation of 60 or 70 decision makers, please do not act recklessly to draw the sword at the expense of youngsters' lives,'' Soong said.
While attending the flag-raising ceremony early yesterday morning in front of the Presidential Office, vice president and KMT presidential hopeful Lien Chan (
"Now I have sufficient confidence to gain victory,'' Lien told reporters.
Lien is scheduled to open his campaign headquarters in Taipei and release policy papers today.
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
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
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
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