Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said that unless the “sky is falling,” he would not join the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Ko made the comment in response to media queries about whether he would consider joining the party to fend off competition from potential DPP rivals in his re-election bid.
Ko, an independent, said he would keep his promise and not join any political party before his current term expires.
“Unless the sky is falling and the Earth is cracking open, I will strive to keep my word,” the mayor said.
Ko added that launching an election campaign for 2018 is a personal matter and that it does not constitute a reason for him to join the DPP.
DPP Legislator Pasuya Yao (姚文智) has been seen gearing up for the 2018 Taipei mayoral election.
Yao is organizing a forum slated for next month on Taipei’s “smart” infrastructure and e-commerce, and he has asked Minister Without Portfolio Audrey Tang (唐鳳) to speak on the topic.
Yao has hinted that he would run for Taipei mayor and the move is viewed as part of his preparations for the mayoral race.
Ko said Tang is a talent in the high-tech sector, so it is only natural that Yao has invited her to give a speech.
On whether he felt “threatened” by Yao, Ko said his greatest enemy is himself and that he would focus on his job for now.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) yesterday voiced dissatisfaction with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans- Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), whose latest meeting, concluded earlier the same day, appeared not to address the country’s application. In a statement, MOFA said the CPTPP commission had "once again failed to fairly process Taiwan’s application," attributing the inaction to the bloc’s "succumbing to political pressure," without elaborating. Taiwan submitted its CPTPP application under the name "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu" on Sept. 22, 2021 -- less than a week after China
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