The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) passed a resolution in its weekly Central Standing Committee meeting yesterday declaring its full support for President Chen Shui-bian's (
Abolishing the council and the guidelines contributed to the nation's effort to prevent the status quo from slanting toward unification and to resist China's attempt to "gradually annex" Taiwan, DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun said.
"Since China passed its `Anti-Secession' Law in 2005, it has built up a cooperative platform with ... the Chinese Nationalist Party [KMT] to attack Taiwan's democracy," Yu said. "Then KMT chairman [Lien Chan (
Yu added that this had led the "status quo" to tend toward unification and that Taiwanese were losing the freedom to choose their own future.
The abolition of the NUC would be an inevitable outcome of the nation's democratization, he added.
Yu said that the NUC and the guidelines, which were passed by the KMT's Central Standing Committee in 1990 as part of a long-term strategy for eventual unification with China, lack legitimacy and violate the spirit of self-determination.
KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
"The president should think twice and avoid damaging Taiwan-US relations," Ma said yesterday. "He should take full responsibility for the move, instead of shifting the blame onto me."
Ma reminded reporters of Chen's pledges during his inauguration speeches in 2000 and 2004 in which the president promised that during his term, abolishing the unification council or guidelines would "not be an issue."
"Now he suddenly says the guidelines are ridiculous, so of course the US will be surprised ... I hope that he keeps his promises and stops shifting the blame onto others," he added.
Chen's supporters have stressed that the pledges were made on the condition that China had no intention to use military force against Taiwan -- and that China's continued missile buildup since 2000 demonstrated such intent.
A NT$39 receipt for two bottles of tea at a FamilyMart was among the NT$10 million (US $312,969) special prize winners in the January-February uniform invoice lottery. FamilyMart said that two NT$10 million-winning receipts were issued at its stores, as well as two NT$2 million grand prizes and three NT$200,000 first prizes. The two NT$10 million receipts were issued at stores in Pingtung County and Yilan County’s Dongshan Township (冬山). One winner spent just NT$39 on two bottles of tea, while another spent NT$80 on water, tea and coffee, the company said. Meanwhile, 7-Eleven reported three NT$10 million winners — in New Taipei
Considering that most countries issue more than five denominations of banknotes, the central bank has decided to redesign all five denominations, the bank said as it prepares for the first major overhaul of the banknotes in more than 24 years. Central bank Governor Yang Chin-lung (楊金龍) is expected to report to the Legislative Yuan today on the bank’s operations and the redesign’s progress. The bank in a report sent to the legislature ahead of today’s meeting said it had commissioned a survey on the public’s preferences. Survey results showed that NT$100 and NT$1,000 banknotes are the most commonly used, while NT$200 and NT$2,000
ANNUAL EVENT: Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in Daan Park, with an event zone operating from 10am to 6pm This year’s Taipei Floral Picnic is to be held at Daan Park today and tomorrow, featuring an exclusive Pokemon Go event, a themed food market, a coffee rave picnic area and stage performances, the Taipei Department of Information and Tourism said yesterday. Two massive Pokemon balloons are to be set up in the park as attractions, with an exclusive event zone operating from 10am to 6pm, it said. Participants who complete designated tasks on-site would have a chance to receive limited-edition souvenirs, it added. People could also try the newly launched game Pokemon Pokopia in the trial area, the department said. Three PokeStops are
Taiwan is concerned that China could exploit the US’ war in the Middle East, with state media citing examples from the conflict to cast doubt on the efficiency of US weapons Taiwan would use to repel an invasion. Taiwanese officials said the resumption of Beijing’s large-scale air force incursions near Taiwan after an unusual decline show that China wants to take advantage of the redeployment of US forces from East Asia to the Middle East. “This is a moment for China to exercise influence,” a senior Taiwanese security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “What China is trying to create is a
RSS