In its latest move against the government's anti-Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) campaign, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is set to stage a protest this afternoon on Ketagalan Boulevard, accusing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of erasing history.
The protest, titled "Love Taiwan, and defend the Republic of China," will begin at 1:30pm on Ketagalan Boulevard and traverse around CKS Memorial Hall before returning to the boulevard.
Video clips documenting life in the 1950s and 1960s and statues of Chiang Kai-shek being removed or damaged will be shown on a big screen, while KMT heavyweights including former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) will give speeches at the rally, Director of the KMT's Culture and Communication Commission Yang Tu (楊渡) told a press conference yesterday.
"The government has pushed the anti-China and anti-Chiang Kai-shek campaigns for its own interests. We urge the silent masses to join us in saying no to the government's oppression and to strive for our own happiness and prosperity," acting KMT chairman Chiang Pin-kung (江丙坤) said.
Saying that the country enjoyed prosperity during the 1950s and 1960s under the rule of Chiang Kai-shek and his son Chiang Ching-kuo (
KMT Legislator John Chiang (蔣孝嚴), son of Chiang Ching-kuo, vowed to defend his family's legacy, and said he would sue Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) for tearing down a statue of Chiang Kai-shek.
"I urge all participants to wear blue to the rally and let the DPP know that they are wrong. If it doesn't adjust its policies, both the wonderful past and the future will both disappear," he said.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
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
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden