Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) yesterday said that she would be pleased if KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) decides to quit as New Taipei City mayor and be her running mate.
Hung made the comment when asked about speculation by former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei City councilor Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) on a political talk show on Thursday night that Chu in October is to resign as mayor and join the presidential race.
“I would be thrilled if Chu resigned as mayor to be my deputy,” she said, but denied that she is to be replaced by Chu as the party’s presidential candidate.
Hung said that society does not lack “rumors,” and that “if you ask me questions about my policy or other issues relating to social well-being, it would be fine to do so one hundred times, but the question that I have been asked over and over again is about my replacement.”
“There is no need to spend time on this topic anymore. I have come this far and it is impossible for me, no matter what twists and turns there might be, to withdraw from the election. I am very determined,” Hung said.
She asked her fellow party members not to be instigated into internal conflicts by rumors spread by the opponent, “or the battle would be a difficult one.”
It was not the first time that a rumor saying Chu would resign in October has drawn attention.
Late last month the same comments were denied by KMT lawmakers, including Alicia Wang (王育敏), who said that Hung has “already been officially nominated by the party and [the nomination would not be retracted] unless Hung herself wishes to withdraw.”
Chu responded to the question about the rumor of his resignation at a water bamboo shoots event in New Taipei City, where he indirectly denied the rumor by inviting people to have water bamboo shoots with him in October.
Chu said he has discussed the possibility of being Hung’s running mate with her before and in principle, the KMT’s vice presidential candidate would be one from the central or southern part of Taiwan.
“It is not yet the time to reveal the name, but we can tell you that we are now making the offer,” he said.
Separately, Hung’s campaign office yesterday announced on Facebook that the team’s youth group is to invite more young people to train and work on a project tailor-made for Hung.
“There is 1.29 million people who are to cast the first vote of their life in the coming elections. All the candidates want their votes. The best way to understand the young people is to learn from them,” the team said.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
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