The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Straits Exchange Foundation both "confirmed" yesterday that former lawmaker Ju Gau-jeng (
News reports yesterday claimed that Ju had been attacked and seriously injured by three unidentified people while he was eating at a hot-pot restaurant in Xiamen around 4am on Sunday.
CIB Deputy Commissioner Kao Cheng-sheng (
According to Kao, the police are sure that Ju was the victim of an attack, but that's about all they know.
"We are working with the foundation and trying to figure out the details of this case," Kao said. "In the meantime, it is also my understanding that the Chinese police department has launched an investigation into this case as well."
When approached by reporters, Wu said that Ju had not reported the incident to the police in Xiamen or checked into a local hospital.
"According to the local police department, Ju is still in Xiamen," Wu said. "He is only suffering from minor injuries as far as I know. The news reports in Taiwan are not quite accurate."
Meanwhile, Ju faxed a statement to the media in Taiwan yesterday afternoon, denying any attack and saying that he was fine.
"I do not understand why such a rumor would come out. I was not attacked; the story was inaccurate. I am sorry for this," he said in his statement.
Although he said he was fine, Ju said he had no plans to appear in public. He said that he is currently in a mountainous area in southern Fujian Province, where access to communications is difficult.
He said he was not planning to cut short his trip to return home.
Ju holds a a law degree from National Taiwan University and a doctorate in philosophy from Bonn University. He was a member of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) but began his political career as a Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker in 1987. He became famous for his willingness to physically attack fellow lawmakers with his fists or other handy items. He later became a member of the pro-China Socialist Party and the New Party.
According to Wu, Ju was not doing business in Xiamen and he is not a member of the business association. However, Wu said Ju is something of a celebrity in Xiamen because many people recognize him.
The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Wanda-Zhonghe Line is 81.7 percent complete, with public opening targeted for the end of 2027, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said today. Surrounding roads are to be open to the public by the end of next year, Hou said during an inspection of construction progress. The 9.5km line, featuring nine underground stations and one depot, is expected to connect Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Chukuang Station in New Taipei City’s Jhonghe District (中和). All 18 tunnels for the line are complete, while the main structures of the stations and depot are mostly finished, he
Taipei is to implement widespread road closures around Taipei 101 on Friday to make way for large crowds during the Double Ten National Day celebration, the Taipei Department of Transportation said. A four-minute fireworks display is to be launched from the skyscraper, along with a performance by 500 drones flying in formation above the nearby Nanshan A21 site, starting at 10pm. Vehicle restrictions would occur in phases, they said. From 5pm to 9pm, inner lanes of Songshou Road between Taipei City Hall and Taipei 101 are to be closed, with only the outer lanes remaining open. Between 9pm and 9:40pm, the section is
The first global hotel Keys Selection by the Michelin Guide includes four hotels in Taiwan, Michelin announced yesterday. All four received the “Michelin One Key,” indicating guests are to experience a “very special stay” at any of the locations as the establishments are “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.” Of the four hotels, three are located in Taipei and one in Taichung. In Taipei, the One Key accolades were awarded to the Capella Taipei, Kimpton Da An Taipei and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Capella Taipei was described by
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday hosted a reception to celebrate Double Ten National Day. Conservative Canadian lawmaker Marc Dalton called Taiwan a “beacon of courage and resilience in the face of rising authoritarianism,” according to a post on the Taiwan in Vancouver Facebook page. Also in attendance were fellow conservative caucus members Tako Van Popta and Chak Au, who said that Taiwan plays an “indispensable role” in ensuring global peace, prosperity and stability due to its strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region, it said. Canadian lawmaker Michael Cooper also recorded a message wishing Taiwan a