Independent Legislator Li Ao (
With the meeting between President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Soong looming, Li said yesterday that Soong's change of heart on the arms procurement project is bound to lead to divisions between Soong and his friends, including himself.
"When the Democratic Action Alliance (DAA,
"If he changes his mind simply because he wants to meet with Chen or for whatever political reason, I'll get very angry," Li said.
As an opposition party, Li said that the PFP's mission is to criticize and oppose the government.
"It doesn't make sense to reconcile with the government, because it's the opposition parties' job to question and oppose the government," he said.
"It's not the opposition parties's job to wipe the govern-ment's ass when it screws up," Li said.
Commenting on Li's remarks, DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (
He also called on Soong to jointly push for partisan reconciliation with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and not to be threatened by "extremists' preposterous remarks."
"Those who distribute groundless accusations are worse than politicians who place their personal gain above the public interest," he said.
In addition to thanking Li for his advice, PFP legislative whip Liu Wen-hsiung (
"I'd like to guarantee, on my own life, that we are opposed to the NT$610.8 billion arms budget and will continue to oppose it in the future, even after the Chen-Soong meeting," he said.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip. It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said. The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time. According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest