DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Lee Ying-yuan (
"My running mate must be someone of high moral integrity and who possesses professionalism," Lee said at a press conference held to launch his latest television advertisement.
The two most likely candidates for the job are Annie Lee (
But Lee Ying-yuan said he has not yet decided.
"Both Lee and Ho are possibilities as both of them are of very high standing," Lee said.
"However, as of now, I am still taking information and suggestions," he added.
While saying he would prefer a deputy with experience in public administration, Lee Ying-yuan said he would not rule out candidates from the private sector.
He said his deputy mayor would be in charge of all matters related to the issue that he regards as most important -- the promotion of tourism in Taipei City.
Unlike Lee Ying-yuan's previous TV advertisements, which attacked KMT Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (
"Relatively speaking, my exposure in Taipei politics has been short," Lee said. "Therefore, through this personal TV spot, I hope that Taipei residents can familiarize themselves with my face and get a better insight on me as an individual."
The new advertisement aims to persuade voters that Lee Ying-yuan would apply the same determination to governing the city as he did in sneaking back to Taiwan during the martial law era despite being blacklisted by the KMT government for his involvement in the democracy movement.
Ma's campaign team also launched a new series of billboard and radio advertisements yesterday.
The billboards cite articles from magazines that illustrate the quality of life in Taipei City.
The radio advertisements promote the "new Taipei spirit," an idea of Ma's that stresses patient communication to resolve differences.
Ma's campaign team also opened an outdoor coffeeshop next to his campaign headquarters, an event attended by the wife of KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰), Lien Fang-yu (連方瑀).
"Aside from supporting Ma, we hope that Ma's supporters will contribute to his campaign fund while enjoying a cup of coffee at the coffeeshop," said King Pu-tsung (
Taiwan is to receive the first batch of Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 jets from the US late this month, a defense official said yesterday, after a year-long delay due to a logjam in US arms deliveries. Completing the NT$247.2 billion (US$7.69 billion) arms deal for 66 jets would make Taiwan the third nation in the world to receive factory-fresh advanced fighter jets of the same make and model, following Bahrain and Slovakia, the official said on condition of anonymity. F-16 Block 70/72 are newly manufactured F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin to the standards of the F-16V upgrade package. Republic of China
Taiwan-Japan Travel Passes are available for use on public transit networks in the two countries, Taoyuan Metro Corp said yesterday, adding that discounts of up to 7 percent are available. Taoyuan Metro, the Taipei MRT and Japan’s Keisei Electric Railway teamed up to develop the pass. Taoyuan Metro operates the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport MRT Line, while Keisei Electric Railway offers express services between Tokyo’s Narita Airport, and the Keisei Ueno and Nippori stations in the Japanese capital, as well as between Narita and Haneda airports. The basic package comprises one one-way ticket on the Taoyuan MRT Line and one Skyliner ticket on
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