New Taipei City Mayor and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday reiterated that the party’s mechanism for the selection of its candidates for next year’s legislative election would be open and transparent, in an effort to assuage growing concerns over his recent decision to establish a “campaign strategy committee” to replace the party’s primary system.
“Openness and transparency will be ensured [in the party’s candidate selection process]. We will handle the matter in a flexible and strategic manner,” Chu said on the sidelines of a tree-planting event in New Taipei City’s Shihding District (石碇) yesterday.
The two-term New Taipei City mayor made the remarks four days after the KMT’s Central Standing Committee passed an impromptu motion to establish a seven-member “legislative election campaign strategy committee” to help the party win a potentially cutthroat battle in next year’s legislative election.
The committee is tasked with overseeing the nomination and campaign strategies for all of the party’s legislative candidates for regional and Aboriginal seats in the legislature, as well as compiling its list of legislator-at-large nominees.
Chu said that every political party has its own stronghold constituencies.
“In constituencies where more than one party member is planning to compete for the candidacy, there must be negotiations and a primary, while in more difficult ones, the party has to select a candidate. That is why the committee is needed,” Chu said.
Turning to the heatedly discussed issue of creating a “nuclear-free homeland” by 2025, Chu said that the key to reaching the goal still lies in energy conservation.
“It is apparent that the country is wasting energy and it is extremely vital that we figure out a way for industries and families to use energy in a more efficient manner,” Chu said.
He said there were three measures that could help Taiwan follow in South Korea’s footsteps to successfully save energy equivalent to the capacity of a nuclear power plant: offering guidance to traditional industries with high energy consumption; building smart grids; and further promoting energy-efficient lighting options to schools and households.
The issue of a potential visit to the US by Chu was also brought up yesterday, given that Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) — who has registered in the party’s primary for next year’s presidential election — revealed on Saturday that she plans to visit Washington later this year.
However, Chu, who is considered a likely presidential candidate to represent the KMT in next year’s race, said such a visit did not necessarily have to happen this year, adding that a more stabilized Taiwan-US relationship required long-term interactions.
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
RSS