Saying that cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties is the first step for Taiwan to pursue ethnic harmony, political reconciliation and cross-strait peace, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks while addressing the opening of the "Shih Ming-teh (施明德 ) Seminar" at National Taiwan University's Political Science Department yesterday.
The department yesterday officially launched a series of lectures by the former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman. The lectures' themes are ethnic harmony, political reconciliation and cross-strait peace.
PHOTO: WANG YI-SUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen said the three themes set by the lecture are Shih's goals and also the common wish of the Taiwanese people.
"I hope Mr. Shih will continue influencing political figures and organize a coffee gathering of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
Shih brought up the idea of having a so-called "reconciliation coffee" in 1995, in a bid to seek cooperation with the New Party over the election of the legislative speaker.
In his speech yesterday, Chen said that tensions jeopardizing ethnic harmony in Taiwan can be attributed to the 228 Incident in 1947, adding that everlasting pain regarding cases of injustice during the 38-year Martial Law era until 1987 remain.
On political reconciliation, Chen said that amending the Constitution is the only way to end the current political stalemate. Touching on cross-strait peace, Chen told the audience that strengthening national defense should be a common interest for all people in Taiwan, including political leaders.
Aside from Chen, other guests invited to give speeches at the opening ceremony included Ma, Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
After the opening ceremony, however, Ma told the media that he did not see the need to have coffee with Chen.
"Chen attributes unsolved ethnic problems to the 228 Incident, political strife to the existing governmental system, and cross-strait disputes to China's denying the existence of Taiwan as a country. On this basis, I don't think it's easy for us to reach any agreement regarding harmony, reconciliation and peace," Ma said.
The PFP caucus yesterday also rejected Chen's proposal to invite Soong to have "reconciliation coffee."
"We will recommend that Chairman Soong decline the invitation," PFP caucus whip Hwang Yih-jiau (
When asked whether his caucus still insists on demanding an apology from Chen, Hwang said that was something that was beyond his power.
The caucus has demanded an apology from the president, whom they said accused Soong of meeting the director of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Yunlin (陳雲林), during a trip to the US.
Instead of concentrating on something unrealistic, Hwang said, what his party can and will continue to do is do a good job as an opposition party.
"As a responsible opposition party, we will never support the arms-procurement plan and the organic bill of the national communications commission," he said. "Nor will we budge on the cross-strait peace advancement bill."
Greenpeace yesterday said that it is to appeal a decision last month by the Taipei High Administrative Court to dismiss its 2021 lawsuit against the Ministry of Economic Affairs over “loose” regulations governing major corporate electricity consumers. The climate-related lawsuit — the first of its kind in Taiwan — sought to require the government to enforce higher green energy thresholds on major corporations to reduce emissions in light of climate change and an uptick in extreme weather. The suit, filed by Greenpeace East Asia, the Environmental Jurists Association and four individual plaintiffs, was dismissed on May 8 following four years of litigation. The
STAY AWAY: An official said people should avoid disturbing snakes, as most do not actively attack humans, but would react defensively if threatened Taitung County authorities yesterday urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid disturbing snakes in the wild, following five reported snakebite cases in the county so far this year. Taitung County Fire Department secretary Lin Chien-cheng (林建誠) said two of the cases were in Donghe Township (東河) and involved the Taiwan habus, one person was bit by a Chinese pit viper near the South Link Railway and the remaining two were caused by unidentified snakes. He advised residents near fields to be cautious of snakes hiding in shady indoor areas, especially when entering or leaving their homes at night. In case of a
A tropical disturbance off the southeastern coast of the Philippines might become the first typhoon of the western Pacific typhoon season, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The system lacks a visible center and how it would develop is only likely to become clear on Sunday or Monday, the CWA said, adding that it was not yet possible to forecast the potential typhoon's effect on Taiwan. The American Meteorological Society defines a tropical disturbance as a system made up of showers and thunderstorms that lasts for at least 24 hours and does not have closed wind circulation.
DIPLOMACY: It is Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo’s first visit to Taiwan since he took office last year, while Eswatini’s foreign minister is also paying a visit A delegation led by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo arrived in Taiwan yesterday afternoon and is to visit President William Lai (賴清德) today. The delegation arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at 4:55pm, and was greeted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). It is Arevalo’s first trip to Taiwan since he took office last year, and following the visit, he is to travel to Japan to celebrate the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Arevalo said at the airport that he is very glad to make the visit to Taiwan, adding that he brings an important message of responsibility
RSS