The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday defended the legitimacy of its sale of three media outlets, including the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC), and criticized the government for making what it said were groundless accusations about the sale.
"The KMT acquired all assets legally and all our asset deals were handled through the proper legal channels," KMT administration and management committee director-general Chang Che-shen (
"If there were illegal aspects to the sale, the prosecutors would look into it. But the Government Information Office is in no position to make accusations," he said.
RESPONSE
Chang's remarks were made in response to accusations by Government Information Office Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (
The KMT-owned Central Investment Co (中央投資公司) sold BCC, Central Motion Picture Co and China Television Co to China Times Group subsidiary Jungli Investment Co (榮麗投資公司) in 2005 for NT$9.3 billion (US$280.7 million).
The transaction was facilitated by Hua Hsia, an investment firm owned by the KMT.
The deal was later canceled because the China Times Group was unable to pay the amount in full.
Former BCC chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (
`FAKE'
Chang denied Hsieh's accusations that the sale was "fake" and that the KMT still owned the assets, insisting that the KMT had sold the companies following its promise to end operating private businesses and media outlets.
"We condemn the government for asking the KMT to divest itself of its assets while threatening potential buyers," Chang said.
Chang accused the government of oppressing the KMT and casting doubts on the sale.
He pledged to take legal action against the government if it continued to spread groundless rumors that damaged the party's reputation.
In response, Hsieh yesterday continued his criticism of the sales and urged potential buyers not to purchase the assets, which are under government investigation.
"The government has made great efforts to transform the justice system and we will watch the KMT's every move very closely," Hsieh said yesterday after attending an event in Taipei.
Hsieh also repeated his call on Ma and China Times Group chairman Albert Yu (余建新) to explain the details of the sale.
Kenting National Park service technician Yang Jien-fon (楊政峰) won a silver award in World Grand Prix Photography Awards Spring Season for his photograph of two male rat snakes intertwined in combat. Yang’s colleagues at Kenting National Park said he is a master of nature photography who has been held back by his job in civil service. The awards accept entries in all four seasons across six categories: architectural and urban photography, black-and-white and fine art photography, commercial and fashion photography, documentary and people photography, nature and experimental photography, and mobile photography. Awards are ranked according to scores and divided into platinum, gold and
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday said it opposes the introduction of migrant workers from India until a mechanism is in place to prevent workers from absconding. Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) on Thursday told the Legislative Yuan that the first group of migrant workers from India could be introduced as early as this year, as part of a government program. The caucus’ opposition to the policy is based on the assessment that “the risk is too high,” KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said. Taiwan has a serious and long-standing problem of migrant workers absconding from their contracts, indicating that
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
TRADE-OFF: Beijing seeks to trade a bowl of tempura for a Chinese delicacy, an official said, while another said its promises were attempts to interfere in the polls The government must carefully consider the national security implications of building a bridge connecting Kinmen County and Xiamen, China, the Public Construction Commission (PCC) said yesterday. PCC Commissioner Derek Chen (陳金德), who is also a minister without portfolio, made the remarks in a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, after Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸) asked about China’s proposal of new infrastructure projects to further connect Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties with Xiamen. China unveiled the bridge plan, along with nine other policies for Taiwan, on Sunday, the last day of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit
RSS