Print

Mail

wiki links

No 'provocative words' at fireworks show: Taipei 101

Taipei 101 yesterday promised not to include political or provocative words in its New Year fireworks show, defusing recent speculation that the Tourism Bureau would use the show to promote the nation's UN bid by showing "UN for Taiwan" on the city's landmark.

Terms that help to promote the country's image, such as "Taiwan" or "I Love Taiwan" will be shown during the fireworks show this year, said Michael Liu (劉家豪), an assistant vice president at Taipei 101.

"The Taipei 101 is a business organization. We've been working with the Taipei City Government to host the show, and we will keep the show as a joyful event this year and prevent any provocative words," Liu said when invited to discuss the fireworks show at the Taipei City Council.

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the city government and the Taipei 101 have reached a consensus on hosting another "entertaining" fireworks show this year, but the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City caucus yesterday accused the city government of making things difficult for Taipei 101 by delaying the fireworks import process.

According to DPP Taipei City Councilor Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄), the city government allowed Taipei 101 to import fireworks without examination last year, but demanded approval from the Taipei City Fire Department this year and prolonged the review process for more than 20 days.

The fireworks were sent to the Kaohsiung Port on Dec. 8, but remained in customs until yesterday as the fire department failed to sign the approval document.

"Taipei 101 is not a municipal unit, and has not received any subsidies from the city government. Hau Lung-bin has no right to intervene in the show with this political examination," Chuang said.

DPP Taipei City Councilor Liu Yao-ren (劉耀仁) joined Chuang in condemning Hau for abusing municipal authority to prevent Taipei 101 from showing "UN for Taiwan," urging the mayor to focus his efforts on municipal developments, rather than creating conflict.

Hsu Li-ren (許力仁), deputy commissioner of the fire department, denied harassing Taipei 101 with the review process, and said it signed the approval document yesterday morning.

Michael Liu said that Taipei 101 was concerned about the review process, as the preparation of the fireworks takes about two weeks.

With the approval of the fire department, he said Taipei 101 would start preparing the show, and release a demonstration video of the show next week.

The show this year will include 12,000 fireworks, and is expected to attract more than 600,000 spectators, he said.
This story has been viewed 1215 times.