In a bid to facilitate unity in the pan-green camp for the year-end elections of local government chiefs, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) nominee for the Keelung mayoral election, Wang Tuoh (
"Seeing that the pan-green camp's disunity in Keelung City has decreased the chances of Keelung City's progress and reform, and in order not to let Keelung residents down, I have decided to drop out of the year-end election and let pan-green supporters have an easier selection," Wang said.
"From now, my campaign activities in Keelung will stop and hopefully voters will shift their support to Chen," Wang said.
PHOTO: CHEN TSE-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Accompanied by DPP Chairman Su Tseng-chang (
The DPP and the TSU have for months quarreled and traded barbs over the candidacy for Keelung mayoral election.
The TSU asked the DPP not to nominate a candidate in the city, while the DPP insisted on nominating Wang to counter Chen Chien-ming.
Shu yesterday said that Wang's withdrawal from the election was an important beginning for the DPP and the TSU and he believed it could be a cornerstone for continued cooperation.
"During our visit to Central America, President Chen told us that the progress of Taiwan's democracy relies on Taiwan's unity," Shu said. "Chairman Su and I totally agreed with the president's words and decided to work on this goal."
Su echoed the TSU leader's opinion, saying that unity is the only way for the pan-green camp to have a sustainable existence.
Shu added that Liu Yi-teh (
Meanwhile, in the pan-blue camp, Taitung County Council Speaker Wu Chun-li (吳俊立) yesterday announced that he would not accept the Chinese Nationalist Party's (KMT) recommendation to be its candidate and will instead campaign for county commissionership as an independent.
Wu said his decision was intended to protect the KMT's opponents from attacking the party over reform.
Wu was found guilty of violating the Statute for the Punishment of Corruption (
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