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.
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
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