President Chen Shui-bian (
"As ordinary people, we are not able to find out what the goddess really thinks about (these things)," President Chen said yesterday during a visit to Chaotien Temple (
"Cross-strait religious exchange has been going on for years, therefore there is no need to influence public opinion in the name of a god's [or goddess'] will."
During his visit to Yunlin yesterday, Chen said he wanted to learn from Matsu's spirit to take care of all people without any preconditions.
"The religious belief of Matsu originated in China, yet the goddess cherishes all people and land in Taiwan," President Chen said.
Chen said that even though Matsu is omniscient, she still need-ed two guards -- the farsighted person (
"Like Matsu, the government has to carefully mark out the regulation of direct religious links. Otherwise, it will bring more problems if we execute this policy hastily."
Chaotien Temple and Chenlan Temple (
Yen said publicly that Matsu had decided the date of the pilgrimage and that over 3,000 followers would participate.
At the time, Yen had said the trip had to be carried out as it was Matsu's will.
However, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) officials repeatedly told lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan that the government would need six months to establish a plan for the links, paying special attention to its national security implications, then draw up all related regulations for opening up a direct religious link.
In the end, Chenlan Temple gave up its plan to make a direct sea voyage to China and later announced it would travel to Fujian Province's Meizhou island, Matsu's birthplace, by air.
Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) had also said: "it is totally inappropriate for religious figures to try to manipulate the government into opening a direct link with China by claiming it is a decree from Matsu."
While President Chen visited Chaotien Temple, officials from the MAC went to Chenlan Temple in Taichung County yesterday morning to explain the government's policy, as well as worship Matsu to bless the pilgrimage.
"We hope followers of Matsu can realize that the government needs time to negotiate with China to discuss those issues of certificates, ship routes and other issues," said Chen Ming-tung (
"Only when [both sides of Taiwan Strait] sign some clear agreement on paper that will guarantee people's rights and safety will be protected, then the government will put into practice the direct links policy," Chen said.
The Outlying Islands Development Act was passed shortly after the new government was elected, the details of which are still awaiting government approval.
The Act was passed in the hope that opening up direct trade between China and Taiwan's outlying islands would strengthen their already cash-strapped economies.
The Chien Feng IV (勁蜂, Mighty Hornet) loitering munition is on track to enter flight tests next month in connection with potential adoption by Taiwanese and US armed forces, a government source said yesterday. The kamikaze drone, which boasts a range of 1,000km, debuted at the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition in September, the official said on condition of anonymity. The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology and US-based Kratos Defense jointly developed the platform by leveraging the engine and airframe of the latter’s MQM-178 Firejet target drone, they said. The uncrewed aerial vehicle is designed to utilize an artificial intelligence computer
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday decided to shelve proposed legislation that would give elected officials full control over their stipends, saying it would wait for a consensus to be reached before acting. KMT Legislator Chen Yu-jen (陳玉珍) last week proposed amendments to the Organic Act of the Legislative Yuan (立法院組織法) and the Regulations on Allowances for Elected Representatives and Subsidies for Village Chiefs (地方民意代表費用支給及村里長事務補助費補助條例), which would give legislators and councilors the freedom to use their allowances without providing invoices for reimbursement. The proposal immediately drew criticism, amid reports that several legislators face possible charges of embezzling fees intended to pay
REQUIREMENTS: The US defense secretary must submit a Taiwan security assistance road map and an appraisal of Washington’s ability to respond to Indo-Pacific conflict The US Congress has released a new draft of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes up to US$1 billion in funding for Taiwan-related security cooperation next year. The version published on Sunday by US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson removed earlier language that would have invited Taiwan to participate in the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC). A statement on Johnson’s Web page said the NDAA “enhances U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.” The bill would require the US secretary of defense to “enable fielding of uncrewed and anti-uncrewed systems capabilities”
Renewed border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs of abating yesterday, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people in both countries living in strained conditions as more flooded into temporary shelters. Reporters on the Thai side of the border heard sounds of outgoing, indirect fire yesterday. About 400,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Thailand and about 700 schools closed while fighting was ongoing in four border provinces, said Thai Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesman for the military. Cambodia evacuated more than 127,000 villagers and closed hundreds of schools, the Thai Ministry of Defense said. Thailand’s military announced that
RSS