Presidential Office spokesman Fan Chiang Tai-chi (范姜泰基) said yesterday that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) attended the Golden Melody Awards to show that the government places great importance on the popular music industry.
Fan Chiang refuted claims by critics that the president attended the awards to promote his re-election campaign.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesman Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said political figures usually are not invited to attend the Golden Melody Awards — the biggest event in the Chinese-language music world. Chen said it was inappropriate for Ma to attend the event.
NOT THE FIRST
However, Fan Chiang responded by saying that former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) attended the 14th Golden Melody Awards during his term in office and presented the award for “Best Band” at the ceremony.
Fan Chiang said the event organizers typically send invitations to the president, vice president and the premier. Ma was invited last year, but was unable to attend because of his tight schedule, Fan Chiang added.
Fan Chiang said the popular music industry is one of the key industries that the government is promoting.
PROMOTION
The Cabinet allocated NT$173 million (US$6 million) last year for the music industry. The amount was increased to NT$493 million this year and an additional NT$2.1 billion is expected to be allocated within the next five years.
The goal is to ensure that Taiwanese pop remains popular among Chinese language-speaking communities and gains a leading position in the Asian music world.
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