Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Wu Poh-hsiung (
If the DPP managed to realize President Chen Shui-bian's (
"If Chen achieves his goal of getting 50 seats in the legislative elections, I will accept responsibility and resign as KMT chairman," Wu told a news conference at KMT headquarters in Taipei. "I urge all pan-blue voters to consolidate their support and prevent Chen from achieving this goal."
Wu, former KMT chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday campaigned at KMT headquarters for the party's legislative candidates and urged voters to cast their ballots tomorrow.
"It would be a recognition and indulgence of the corrupt government if you don't vote. We should use the elections to teach Chen and the DPP a lesson," Lien said.
Wu also urged voters to remain calm on election day and avoid anything that could spark trouble, so that the DPP would have no excuse to halt the elections.
Joining the three other KMT heavyweights via a video conference from Taichung, KMT presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (
He said shifting political power would improve people's lives.
In response to a report in the Chinese-language China Times that Wang would seek re-election as legislative speaker, while KMT legislators Wu Den-yih (
"It would be improper to discuss the issue until the elections are over," Ma said, shrugging off the report's claim that he would support Wu Den-yi's bid for deputy speaker.
Wang also declined to comment on the matter, urging party members and supporters to focus on promoting the KMT's legislative candidates.
"Who cares?" was DPP presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's (
"He is a decimal point in history," Hsieh said. "Who cares whether he resigns?"
Hsieh said he did not think Wu's pledge would have any effect on the poll results.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KO SHU-LING
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued a "tsunami watch" alert after a magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in northeastern Russia earlier in the morning. The quake struck off the east coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula at 7:25am (Taiwan time) at a depth of about 19km, the CWA said, citing figures from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The CWA's Seismological Center said preliminary assessments indicate that a tsunami could reach Taiwan's coastal areas by 1:18pm today. The CWA urged residents along the coast to stay alert and take necessary precautions as waves as high as 1m could hit the southeastern
The National Museum of Taiwan Literature is next month to hold an exhibition in Osaka, Japan, showcasing the rich and unique history of Taiwanese folklore and literature. The exhibition, which is to run from Aug. 10 to Aug. 20 at the city’s Central Public Hall, is part of the “We Taiwan” at Expo 2025 series, highlighting Taiwan’s cultural ties with the international community, National Museum of Taiwan Literature director Chen Ying-fang (陳瑩芳) said. Folklore and literature, among Taiwan’s richest cultural heritages, naturally deserve a central place in the global dialogue, Chen said. Taiwan’s folklore would be immediately apparent at the entrance of the
“China is preparing to invade Taiwan,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) said in an exclusive interview with British media channel Sky News for a special report titled, “Is Taiwan ready for a Chinese invasion?” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today in a statement. The 25-minute-long special report by Helen Ann-Smith released yesterday saw Sky News travel to Penghu, Taoyuan and Taipei to discuss the possibility of a Chinese invasion and how Taiwan is preparing for an attack. The film observed emergency response drills, interviewed baseball fans at the Taipei Dome on their views of US President
Speeding and badly maintained roads were the main causes of a school bus accident on a rainy day in Taipei last year that severely injured two people and left 22 with minor injuries, the Taiwan Transportation and Safety Board said. On March 11 last year, a Kang Chiao International School bus overturned inside the Wenshan Tunnel (文山隧道) on the northbound lane of the Xinyi Expressway. The tour bus, owned by Long Lai Co, exceeded the speed limit after entering the tunnel, the board’s investigation found. Sensing that the rear of the vehicle was swaying, the driver attempted to use the service and exhaust
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