After winning only one of the Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral elections, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
"We congratulate Hau Lung-bin for his victory in Taipei, but feel very disappointed at our defeat in Kaohsiung. We wanted to win the city amid the DPP's corruption scandals, but things didn't go as we expected," Ma said yesterday at the KMT headquarters.
Condemning President Chen Shui-bian's (
PHOTO: CHANG CHUNG-YI, TAIPEI TIMES
"We were astonished by what President Chen and the DPP did and we certainly condemn what they've done. They won the Kao-hsiung election with this vicious tactic, I don't think this is a good sign for Taiwan's democracy," Ma said.
As any lawsuits or complaints must be initiated by the candidate, Ma said the party would respect what Haung's camp decides to do while keeping in touch with his office in Kaohsiung.
Although the party lost the Kaohsiung mayoral election, Ma said he was satisfied with the party's general performance, as it retained control in Taipei City, and consolidated its support base in Kaohsiung, losing by only about 1,000 votes to the DPP.
"We lost the Kaohsiung election by a razor-thin margin, and the opponent won the election with a vicious strategy," Ma said. "Our efforts in Kaohsiung are not wasted. The pan-blue support base is obviously expanding and we believe that it's just a matter of time until we gain more support than the DPP in the city."
In response to Soong's announcement that he would quit politics, Ma said the party respected Soong's decision, but added that cooperation between the KMT and PFP would continue.
"We will continue to seek cooperation with the PFP in the legislature, elections and cross-strait relations," he added.
Showing up at Hau's campaign headquarters later to congratulate Hau, Ma, the incumbent Taipei mayor, disagreed that Hau's lower voter support than his was a sign of disapproval of his municipal performance.
"Hau's main opponent is a seasoned politician with a large amount of election experience. I only had one opponent, and Hau had to face several rivals, who all targeted their attacks on him. I think he won a big and meaningful victory this time," Ma said, while adding he expected Hau to continue his municipal policies.
When asked if any KMT officials will take political responsibility for the defeat in Kaohsiung, Ma said the party will review the election results, but declined to comment further.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS