A number of Hakka groups staged a rally in Taipei yesterday to drum up support for former deputy premier Yeh Chu-lan (
Yeh is a Hakka from Miaoli while Hsieh is a Hoklo born in Taipei.
"We support a Hsieh-Yeh ticket. Yield to nobody when it's a just cause" read many of the placards waved by a crowd of supporters at the 228 Memorial Park.
The rally was organized by several Hakka groups, including the Taiwan Hakka Association; the Hakka Association for Public Affairs in Taipei; associations in Taoyuan and Hsinchu; Miaoli natives residing in Taipei; and grassroots Hakka organizations in Taipei City and Taipei County.
"Yeh has served the country well in every position she has had and would therefore be an excellent vice presidential candidate for 2008," Lee Chiao (
In line with DPP tradition, Hsieh is free to pick his running mate.
While the DPP is not traditionally favored in Hakka areas, many believe that the DPP might attract more Hakka votes if Hsieh chooses Yeh as his running mate.
DPP Legislator Perng Shaw-jiin (
"With Yeh, the DPP would be able to gain at least 100,000 votes in Hakka areas," he said.
The speech at the rally by Chen Shang-lin (
"We will vote for a Hsieh-Yeh alliance, not because we support Hsieh, but because we support Yeh," Chen said in Hakka. "If Hsieh doesn't pair up with Yeh, I will not vote for him."
Yeh, who also attended the rally, said Hakkas should play a key role in next year's presidential election, adding that she would be glad to take the responsibility of running for vice president.
"We have yet to achieve a stable, Taiwan-centric government, and Hakkas should certainly contribute to creating such a government," Yeh told the crowd.
As most DPP leaders speak Hoklo, Hakkas sometimes feel isolated from the DPP, despite the party's efforts to preserve and promote the Hakka language and culture, she said
"I'd be glad to take the responsibility of being the bridge between Hakkas and the DPP," Yeh said.
Yeh said that Hsieh should make the decision, adding that she would respect his decision.
Hakkas constitute the nation's second-largest ethnic group, accounting for about 21 percent of the population. The nation has never had a Hakka president or vice president.
Additional reporting by CNA
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
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
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