Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (
On his first day of work as DPP chairman yesterday, Su handed out red envelopes to party workers and tried to remember each worker's name. The envelopes were the same as those that had been handed out by Chen to supporters in his hometown on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The atmosphere at the DPP's headquarters yesterday was buoyant and full of laughter because of Su's jokes and humor.
"Action creates interaction. More interaction creates confidence. Hopefully these red envelopes can inspire our party workers to work hard toward this new goal of the DPP," Su said to DPP workers who lined up to receive the envelopes. Each envelope contained NT$10 and a card signed by Chen and first lady Wu Shu-chen (吳淑珍).
Meanwhile, Su also again touched on the president's comments on Tuesday that Su should not "go too far" in his job.
The president's remarks, made at Su's inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, were seen as indicating Chen had misgivings about Su and a reminder to Su not to overstep his authority.
Su said the comments had been made out of goodwill and he could understand Chen's motives.
"Chen just wanted to show his care and expectations [of me]," Su said. "I know that life is just like playing rugby -- sometimes you have to rush and sometimes you have to slow down so that you can be the winner as the game ends."
"I know how to control my pace and will not do things beyond my authority," Su said. "I also believe that President Chen will not have a hand in party affairs."
Su yesterday also responded to comments made by some new DPP legislators, who have asked Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Su said the KMT's chairmanship election was the KMT's business and he had no comment.
"I would only give my best wishes to them," Su said.
Meanwhile, the director of the DPP's Information and Culture Department, Cheng Wen-tsan (
Cheng said it was a routine visit, and that such meetings occur whenever a new DPP chairman takes office.
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