The Dec. 3 elections to elect local government chiefs are actually part of a defensive war that concerns national security, because the pan-blue camp is collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and using all means to undermine the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) said yesterday.
Lu made the remarks yesterday evening at a large campaign rally held in Taichung City to boost the campaign momentum of the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) mayoral candidate Lin Chia-lung's (林佳龍). About 2,000 supporters attended the rally, which was also attended by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Premier Frank Hsieh, Legislator Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and Vice Interior Minister Chang Wen-ying (張溫鷹).
"The Chinese armed forces have comprehensively targeted Taiwan and it is investing around US$30 billion annually in strengthening its military forces," Lu said, citing a military report that was released by the US Department of Defense in July. "However, because of the pan-blue camp's boycott, Taiwan now only has an annual national defense budget of US$9.3 billion and the military balance between Taiwan and China has already began to tip well in China's favor."
Lu said that the election outcome will significantly influence whether the pan-blue camp can continue to collaborate with the CCP to undermine Taiwan's political situation and she urged voters to stop the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and People First Party's (PFP) attempts to sell out Taiwan.
"The KMT and the PFP plan to pass a `cross-strait peace advancement bill' (
Meanwhile, President Chen pledged to support the investigation of the 1993 murder of navy Captain Yin Ching-feng (尹清楓) through to the end -- and asked why KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) had blocked the investigation of the Lafayette kickback scandal before the election.
Chen said the Lafayette scandal is the biggest corruption case of the former KMT administration and he was surprised that Ma would oppose prosecutors opening the materials received from Swiss courts.
"I want to ask Ma what on earth he is afraid of?" Chen said. "Is he afraid that the truth of that scandal will shake the KMT's foundation?"
Chen urged Ma not to connive with KMT lawmakers to block the Lafayette materials from being unveiled. He said justice cannot take a vacation.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) yesterday announced a ban on all current and former government officials from traveling to China to attend a military parade on Sept. 3, which Beijing is to hold to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second Sino-Japanese War. "This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Republic of China’s victory in the War of Resistance [Against Japan]," MAC Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) told a regular news briefing in Taipei. To prevent Beijing from using the Sept. 3 military parade and related events for "united
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