A group of independence activists and academics yesterday publicly voiced their support for the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), two days after several pro-independence groups lent their backing to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Pro-independence groups, including Taiwan Society, Northern Taiwan Society and Southern Taiwan Society, on Wednesday called on voters to cast their second party vote for the DPP rather than the TSU, while questioning whether the latter had deviated from the path of Taiwan-centric consciousness after transforming itself into a "center-left" party.
But in a rejection of the DPP's call, another group of independence activists and academics -- including former presidential adviser Huang Tien-lin (
Shih slammed the DPP for trying to act as a proxy for all the pro-Taiwan independence forces by pushing the TSU into a corner.
Relations between the DPP and the TSU have turned sour in recent months in part because of fierce competition ahead of the legislative elections next Saturday and to what the DPP described as the TSU's shift away from a "Taiwan-centric" stance.
In the DPP's battle to win a significant number of seats in the legislature, it fears that the TSU could split the pro-independence votes and hurt DPP candidates' chances of wrestling seats from the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), observers said.
DPP Vice Secretary-General Liu Chien-hsin (
Meanwhile, the DPP yesterday urged the TSU to refrain from taking legal action against a top DPP official, who called on voters not to vote for TSU candidates, for allegedly violating the election law.
Liu said the TSU was simply trying to win voters' support ahead of the election.
"There is no need for the TSU to resort to legal means over the issue as it is normal for the public to freely express their support for a certain political party or a particular candidate in a democracy," he said.
Liu made the remarks after TSU officials said that they were considering filing a complaint against former DPP chairman Yu Shyi-kun and several pro-independence groups on charges of breaking the Public Officials Election and Recall Law (公職人員選舉罷免法) by asking voters not to vote for TSU candidates.
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
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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