Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman and leader of the anti-Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) campaign Shih Ming-teh (施明德) met United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) chairman Robert Tsao (曹興誠) on Ketagalan Boulevard yesterday, calling for a peaceful cross-strait coexistence.
The two discussed cross-strait relations and the nation's development during an outdoor forum held by the Home Party, which was formed last month by leaders of the demonstrations against Chen last year.
The establishment of the political party follows Shih's previous promise that his anti-Chen campaign would not form a political party nor recommend people to run in the legislative elections.
Shih last night compared Tsao with South Korean president-elect Lee Myung-bak, a former CEO of Hyundai Construction and Engineering, suggesting it would be better for an entrepreneur to lead the nation.
"The combination of two politicians only produces more politicians. Having entrepreneurs join the political stage would change the political environment for the better," Shih said.
"Both [DPP presidential candidate Frank] Hsieh (謝長廷) and [Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate] Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) compared themselves to Lee Myung-bak. I think Taiwan's Lee Myung-bak should be Mr Tsao," he said.
Tsao had no comment on that suggestion. But he reiterated his support for drafting a law that would provide a basis for peaceful cross-strait coexistence and safeguard Taiwan's democracy.
Tsao said the proposed law would resolve the cross-strait issue and end the political wrangling over independence versus unification, while ruling out a referendum on independence -- because that would be contrary to the nation's claim that it is already an independent and sovereign state.
Tsao earlier this month ran front-page ads in local newspapers suggesting that Hsieh and Ma work together to draft the law.
The ads sparked heated debate, with Chen slamming the idea as tantamount to capitulation to China.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Temperatures in northern Taiwan are forecast to reach as high as 30°C today, as an ongoing northeasterly seasonal wind system weakens, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. CWA forecaster Tseng Chao-cheng (曾昭誠) said yesterday that with the seasonal wind system weakening, warmer easterly winds would boost the temperature today. Daytime temperatures in northern Taiwan and Yilan County are expected to range from 28°C to 30°C today, up about 3°C from yesterday, Tseng said. According to the CWA, temperature highs in central and southern Taiwan could stay stable. However, the weather is expected to turn cooler starting tonight as the northeasterly wind system strengthens again
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
RSS