Opponents of the Legislative Yuan's constitutional amendments proposal yesterday claimed that the "single constituency, two votes" clause is aimed at killing small political parties and would deprive Taiwan of diverse political views.
Taiwan Thinktank invited four experts to debate the amendment package that will be voted on by a special National Assembly to be elected on Saturday. The debate was broadcast live on the Public Television network (PTV).
Taiwan Solidarity Union caucus whip Lo Chih-ming (
Lo admitted there were good elements in the proposal, but he asked, "Mixing poisons with nutrients and forcing the people to swallow the whole package -- is that reasonable?"
His complaint was echoed by Chang Ya-chung (
The alliance also opposes the proposal because it would abolish the National Assembly, meaning the people would likely be asked to vote in a referendum on changes to national territory, a possibility that Chang feared would pose a threat to cross-strait relations.
Former Government Information Office minister and DPP candidate Lin Chia-lung (
"If the reform package fails, it will mean a regression of democracy and more chaos in the legislature, something the Chinese Communists love the most," Lin said.
KMT candidate Lee Ping-nan (
Lo asked if the current amendment package would lead to de jure independence for Taiwan, and if so, why the KMT, which opposes Taiwan independence, would support it.
Lee quoted former president Lee Teng-hui (
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
Starlux Airlines, Taiwan’s newest international carrier, has announced it would apply to join the Oneworld global airline alliance before the end of next year. In an investor conference on Monday, Starlux Airlines chief executive officer Glenn Chai (翟健華) said joining the alliance would help it access Taiwan. Chai said that if accepted, Starlux would work with other airlines in the alliance on flight schedules, passenger transits and frequent flyer programs. The Oneworld alliance has 13 members, including American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, and serves more than 900 destinations in 170 territories. Joining Oneworld would also help boost
A new tropical storm formed late yesterday near Guam and is to approach closest to Taiwan on Thursday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Tropical Storm Pulasan became the 14th named storm of the year at 9:25pm yesterday, the agency said. As of 8am today, it was near Guam traveling northwest at 21kph, it said. The storm’s structure is relatively loose and conditions for strengthening are limited, WeatherRisk analyst Wu Sheng-yu (吳聖宇) said on Facebook. Its path is likely to be similar to Typhoon Bebinca, which passed north of Taiwan over Japan’s Ryukyu Islands and made landfall in Shanghai this morning, he said. However, it