The Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) Strategy and Discourse Unit (國民黨策略論述小組) is struggling to reach a consensus on dropping the word "Chinese" from the party's name, KMT Legislator Apollo Chen (陳學聖) said yesterday.
"The idea of renaming the party came up during the unit's [Friday night] meeting, said Chen, a member of the panel assigned by KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) last month to set the course of the party's policies and strategy.
"But there was no consensus with regard to this issue," Chen said.
"We will take the issue with us in our visits with the grassroots [party members] next month to gather others' opinions on this matter," he said.
Chen said that renaming the party was suggested by Liao Ta-chi (
According to Chen, approximately 50 percent of those surveyed by the party regard themselves as Taiwanese.
About another 20 percent regard themselves as "Taiwanese as well as Chinese," according to Chen.
"The numbers suggested that about 70 percent of the public harbor Taiwan consciousness," Chen said.
"If the KMT wants to be a ruling party, it must not neglect the growing Taiwan consciousness," Chen said.
The same survey showed that only about 30 percent of respondents feel that the KMT needs to change its name.
Chen cited the People First Party and the New Party as parties that don't mention "Chinese" in their names -- yet the majority of the public associates these parties with China.
Chen said that other members of the unit voiced reservations about a name change.
"So it may mean that whether or not the party changes its name does not make a big difference, but the idea is open for all to discuss," Chen said.
While acknowledging that dropping the word "Chinese" from the party's name could help strengthen its pro-localization credentials, Wang yesterday cited advantages and disadvantages of a name change.
Wang said the party will not take action hastily: "The unit now is just in the preliminary stages of gathering opinion from everyone with regard to this name-change proposal ... A conclusive decision on this issue will not be made until it is taken to the party's Central Standing Committee, or even to the party's national congress."
KMT Legislator Lee Chia-chin (
"The party might even want to contemplate removing the word `national' from its name as well, if such a thing is necessary," Lee said.
Chen yesterday said that the strategy panel, co-headed by party Vice Chairman Vincent Siew (
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS