Hsiao Bi-khim (
Hsiao said that if elected as a legislator, her dream to work for Taiwan would be fulfilled, and that the nation would benefit from her expertise in foreign relations.
PHOTO: TAIPEI TIMES
"Through my education and growing experience ... I have established the groundwork for my choice to work in the political arena in Taiwan," Hsiao said at Tainan Theological College and Seminary (台南神學院), where her father served as the school's president.
"I chose to come back to my home city of Tainan to announce a very crucial personal decision -- that is, to join the DPP primary in a bid to run for a seat representing overseas Chinese communities."
Hsiao has been a focus of media attention over recent months after allegations surfaced in November that she and the president were having an affair.
Subsequently, she was attacked by opposition lawmakers for holding a post at the Presidential Office and at the same time retaining dual citizenship. At yesterday's press conference, she said she felt frustrated at these recent incidents and had thought of withdrawing from her career in politics.
"I take my work very seriously, but I did not expect that my low-key job as a presidential aide would draw such ferocious attacks from the opposition. Facing the storms of criticism, I thought of dropping out of politics," she said.
"But in retrospect, I know what we enjoy today is the result of the painstaking efforts made by our senior politicians.
"Now I feel I should not give up, and instead should take more concrete actions to fulfill my ideas to serve my country."
Having worked at the DPP's Department of International Affairs she currently is employed as an advisor to the president on diplomatic policy.
Hsiao said she has gradually proved her capabilities in dealing with international relations, and now thinks that helping the government win a greater standing in the international community is one of her key goals.
The DPP's Chiu I-jen (
Chiu said he appreciated her professional skills in diplomacy and hoped that Hsiao could find new ways to broaden Taiwan's international relations.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY: Taiwan shares the same values as those that fought in WWII, and nations must unite to halt the expansion of a new authoritarian bloc, Lai said The government yesterday held a commemoration ceremony for Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, joining the rest of the world for the first time to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Taiwan honoring V-E Day signifies “our growing connections with the international community,” President William Lai (賴清德) said at a reception in Taipei on the 80th anniversary of V-E Day. One of the major lessons of World War II is that “authoritarianism and aggression lead only to slaughter, tragedy and greater inequality,” Lai said. Even more importantly, the war also taught people that “those who cherish peace cannot
Taiwanese Olympic badminton men’s doubles gold medalist Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) and his new partner, Chiu Hsiang-chieh (邱相榤), clinched the men’s doubles title at the Yonex Taipei Open yesterday, becoming the second Taiwanese team to win a title in the tournament. Ranked 19th in the world, the Taiwanese duo defeated Kang Min-hyuk and Ki Dong-ju of South Korea 21-18, 21-15 in a pulsating 43-minute final to clinch their first doubles title after teaming up last year. Wang, the men’s doubles gold medalist at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, partnered with Chiu in August last year after the retirement of his teammate Lee Yang
The Philippines yesterday criticized a “high-risk” maneuver by a Chinese vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island, 黃岩島) in a rare incident involving warships from the two navies. The Scarborough Shoal — a triangular chain of reefs and rocks in the contested South China Sea — has been a flash point between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012. Taiwan also claims the shoal. Monday’s encounter took place approximately 11.8 nautical miles (22km) southeast” of the Scarborough Shoal, the Philippine military said, during ongoing US-Philippine military exercises that Beijing has criticized as destabilizing. “The Chinese frigate BN 554 was
The number of births in Taiwan fell to an all-time monthly low last month, while the population declined for the 16th consecutive month, Ministry of the Interior data released on Friday showed. The number of newborns totaled 8,684, which is 704 births fewer than in March and the lowest monthly figure on record, the ministry said. That is equivalent to roughly one baby born every five minutes and an annual crude birthrate of 4.52 per 1,000 people, the ministry added. Meanwhile, 17,205 deaths were recorded, resulting in a natural population decrease of 8,521, the data showed. More people are also leaving Taiwan, with net
RSS