Energized by the turnout for its nation-wide rally on Saturday, members of the pan-blue camp expressed optimism yesterday over the alliance's chances in the presidential election.
"Many of the marchers came voluntarily to take part in the marches and rallies. There is, therefore, a high probability these people will turn out to vote [for the alliance,]" said PFP Legislator Pang Chien-kuo (龐建國), who doubles as the KMT-PFP alliance's spokesman.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
On Saturday, the blue camp staged a series of marches across the nation protesting against President Chen Shui-bian (
The events climaxed when the alliance's presidential candidate, KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
Shortly before that, Lien's running mate, PFP Chairman James Soong (
"Judging by the reaction of former president Lee Teng-hui (
Pang was referring to remarks made by Lee who, during the DPP's campaign rally in Kaohsiung on Saturday night, criticized Lien's and Soong's kissing the ground gesture as insincere.
"If the effect [of the kissing gestures] was not great, Lee would have taken it lightly instead of solemnly criticizing it during the campaign rally," Pang said.
In response to criticism from the green camp that his kissing gesture was only for show, Lien said that Chen "has no style"
"My problem today is that my opponent has no style," he said.
More than a million people participated in the blue camp's marches on Saturday.
PFP Legislator Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said he believed these people will vote for Lien and Soong and hand them victory on Saturday.
"The overwhelming support shown by people in the 313 Rally not only boosts the candidacy of the Lien-Soong ticket but has also consolidated the pan-blue camp's basic voting base," Liu said.
"The success of the event has a positive influence on the Lien-Soong ticket's electoral outlook as it provides an impetus for undecided voters who have in the past shied away from showing sides in public to come out and support Lien and Soong," Liu said.
KMT Vice Chairman Wu Po-hsiung (
SHIPS, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES: The ministry has announced changes to varied transportation industries taking effect soon, with a number of effects for passengers Beginning next month, the post office is canceling signature upon delivery and written inquiry services for international registered small packets in accordance with the new policy of the Universal Postal Union, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday. The new policy does not apply to packets that are to be delivered to China, the ministry said. Senders of international registered small packets would receive a NT$10 rebate on postage if the packets are sent from Jan. 1 to March 31, it added. The ministry said that three other policies are also scheduled to take effect next month. International cruise ship operators
NUMBERS IMBALANCE: More than 4 million Taiwanese have visited China this year, while only about half a million Chinese have visited here Beijing has yet to respond to Taiwan’s requests for negotiation over matters related to the recovery of cross-strait tourism, the Tourism Administration said yesterday. Taiwan’s tourism authority issued the statement after Chinese-language daily the China Times reported yesterday that the government’s policy of banning group tours to China does not stop Taiwanese from visiting the country. As of October, more than 4.2 million had traveled to China this year, exceeding last year. Beijing estimated the number of Taiwanese tourists in China could reach 4.5 million this year. By contrast, only 500,000 Chinese tourists are expected in Taiwan, the report said. The report
Temperatures are forecast to drop steadily as a continental cold air mass moves across Taiwan, with some areas also likely to see heavy rainfall, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. From today through early tomorrow, a cold air mass would keep temperatures low across central and northern Taiwan, and the eastern half of Taiwan proper, with isolated brief showers forecast along Keelung’s north coast, Taipei and New Taipei City’s mountainous areas and eastern Taiwan, it said. Lows of 11°C to 15°C are forecast in central and northern Taiwan, Yilan County, and the outlying Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties, and 14°C to 17°C
STEERING FAILURE: The first boat of its class is experiencing teething issues as it readies for acceptance by the navy, according to a recent story about rudder failure The Hai Kun (海鯤), the nation’s first locally built submarine, allegedly suffered a total failure of stern hydraulic systems during the second round of sea acceptance trials on June 26, and sailors were forced to manually operate the X-rudder to turn the submarine and return to port, news Web site Mirror Daily reported yesterday. The report said that tugboats following the Hai Kun assisted the submarine in avoiding collisions with other ships due to the X-rudder malfunctioning. At the time of the report, the submarine had completed its trials and was scheduled to begin diving and surfacing tests in shallow areas. The X-rudder,
RSS