The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) celebrated its 111th anniversary at its party headquarters yesterday as several KMT heavyweights including Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) gathered on stage to cut the four-layered birthday cake. However, conspicuous by his absence was former chairman Lien Chan (連戰), who was nowhere to be seen at the celebrations.
The KMT's organization and development committee chief Huang Chong-hsian (黃重憲) said they did not invite Lien because he had electioneering events to attend, and that the party had invited him to join a rally scheduled for Sunday. The party's explanation, however, contradicted remarks from Lien's staff, who said that he did not have any campaigning scheduled for yesterday. They said he was resting at home yesterday after coming back from a campaign event in Chiayi late on Wednesday night.
Ma said he "did not know anything" about Lien's absence.
"I don't know why chairman Lien isn't here, maybe he has campaign work to do," Wang said.
Making wishes during the party was Ma, who was presiding over the KMT's first big party since he assumed the chairmanship. He announced his three wishes before blowing out the candles.
"First, I hope the Republic of China continues to flourish and its people can live in peace. Second, I hope the KMT will score a big victory in the year-end elections," Ma said. "Finally, I hope the KMT will win back power in 2008."
The celebrations reached their climax as Ma made his three wishes while hundreds of party members waved both national and party flags.
Later, Ma gave a speech in which he detailed the party history, and encouraged the party to make concerted efforts to fight against the "corrupt government."
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