The Presidential Office said yesterday that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) would recite “Long Live the Republic of China” during the Double Ten National Day celebrations on Oct. 10.
Presidential Office Spokesman Wang Yu-chi (王郁琦) said that while the National Day Celebration Committee had yet to flesh out the activities that make up the celebrations, Ma would recite both “Long Live the Republic of China” and “Long Live Taiwan’s Democracy.”
Wang made the remark in response to a report in the Chinese-language United Daily News yesterday, which said that the National Day Celebration Committee had decided on Monday that “Republic of China” would appear on the backdrop at the celebrations, but that there would be no military review and that Ma would not lead the crowd in reciting “Long Live the Republic of China.”
IMPORTANT
A number of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators yesterday emphasized the importance of the president leading participants in chanting “Long Live the Republic of China.”
KMT Legislator Lin Yu-fang (林郁方) said chanting the slogan would help demonstrate the president’s promise to maintain the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait, adding that it would also give pan-blue supporters a sense of comfort.
“There is nothing to be afraid of. You [Ma] should clearly assert your status as president of the ROC. There is no need to hesitate,” KMT Legislator Shuai Hua-ming (帥化民) said. “Since you [Ma] are president of the ROC, what else should you chant other than “Long Live the Republic of China”?
KMT Legislator Lee Hung-chun (李鴻鈞) offered a different view. He said that what the public cared about was political stability and the state of the economy rather than whether the slogan should be chanted during the celebrations.
BUDGET
The organizing committee for the Double Ten celebrations said on Monday that the budget for this year’s festivities had been set at NT$45.09 million (US$1.48 million), including NT$11 million for fireworks.
Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), the chairman of the organizing committee, said that although the budget for this year’s celebrations was lower than in previous years, “this year’s celebration will be as festive.”
As is the custom, the committee will hold a rally in front of the Presidential Office on Oct. 10. The fireworks display will be held at the Chiayi Botanical Garden, during which 6,300 rounds will be fired.
It said, however, that because of environmental concerns and budget constraints, high-altitude fireworks would not be used.
A national day evening gathering will be held at a stadium in Hualien County.
The organizing committee will also work with the Taichung City Government to hold a National Day concert, Wang said.
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