Accompanied by more than 10 retired generals, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayoral candidate Sean Lien (連勝文) yesterday paid homage to presidents Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國) in Cihu (慈湖) and Touliao (頭寮) in Taoyuan County, in an attempt to appeal to blue-camp voters.
Dozens of tourists from China burst into cheers when they unexpectedly met Lien at the mausoleums — a prime attraction for Chinese tourists — and shouted “Sean Lien, get elected” to wish him victory in the election on Nov. 29.
Lien said the purpose of the visit was to highlight his pledges that, if elected, he would follow in the footsteps of the former presidents in abiding by ethical guidelines for civil servants and making every effort in his power to speak for military personnel, teachers and civil servants.
Photo: Lin Tsu-hsiang, Taipei Times
“Military personnel, teachers and civil servants have devoted their lives to the nation. The government is duty-bound to take care of them for their entire lives,” Lien said, as he reiterated the importance of the government safeguarding the rights and benefits they are entitled to under the current system.
The forfeiture of year-end bonuses for retired military personnel, teachers and civil servants who receive monthly retirement pensions of more than NT$20,000 — a policy adopted by the government late last year and which was revised in August to allow retirees with monthly pensions of less than NT$25,000 to receive year-end bonuses — has been cited as a reason why Lien has been getting only lukewarm support from these traditional KMT voters.
“I would like to take the occasion to reassure [the public] that the promises the government has made to military personnel, teachers and civil servants must be delivered. Their rights and benefits must not be changed,” Lien said.
Lien said the previous time he visited the mausoleums was when he was at junior-high school.
Separately, Lien’s campaign office said he would embark on a “long stay” project by staying over in the homes of heads of boroughs that are traditionally pro-KMT strongholds, in the same way that President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) drummed up support during his presidential campaign in 2008 and 2012.
Lien’s first stop was scheduled to be Cheng-gong Public Housing in Taipei’s Daan District (大安) last night.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
RSS