The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday traded barbs over comments by Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜), the KMT’s presidential candidate, which DPP politicians called improper and sexist.
At a rally in Changhua County’s Yuanlin City (員林) on Monday, Han said that farmers are often DPP supporters, but their lives are getting worse, while the lives of DPP officials are improving.
Han cited the “fair skin and slightly plump figures” of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Taoyuan Mayor Cheng Wen-tsan (鄭文燦), Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) and Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), all members of the DPP, as proof that they are leading better lives.
Photo: Hsu Li-chuan, Taipei Times
In contrast, he cited the “dark complexion and thin physiques” of Changhua County Commissioner Wang Hui-mei (王惠美), Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), all of the KMT, to highlight how hard-working they are.
Tsai yesterday said that a person’s ability is not related to their complexion or size, adding that Cheng is considered a “top-notch mayor” according to public opinion polls, while Han ranked last in one recent survey.
People should refrain from personal attacks, regardless of what happens during the elections, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said, adding that it is inappropriate to comment on a woman’s physique.
Huang said that he did not understand the correlation between the ability to govern and complexion or size, adding that criticizing others based on their size is disrespectful and unbecoming of a mayor.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam (林鄭月娥) could be considered thin and dark of complexion, while US President Donald Trump is fair and plump, Huang said.
“Who’s better in Han’s books?” he asked.
Former New Taipei City mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) of the KMT said that Han’s comments should be taken as speaking out for local municipalities.
The comment that Hou and Lu were “thin and dark” meant that they spend more time engaging with grassroots voters and that their respective cities receive less funding from the central government, both in direct subsidies and the distribution of centrally allocated tax revenue, Chu said.
It is more important to focus on results than appearances, he added.
Han said that his comments were a metaphor meant to prod people and wake them up.
Han said that during his campaigning he saw how most people — especially hardcore supporters of the DPP — are struggling with life, adding that the more hardcore the supporters, the more difficult their lives are.
If the DPP refrained from “living the high life” and stopped showering different groups within the party with monetary favors, then it could truly work for the public, he said.
Additional reporting by Shen Pei-yao and Tsai Wen-chu
Alain Robert, known as the "French Spider-Man," praised Alex Honnold as exceptionally well-prepared after the US climber completed a free solo ascent of Taipei 101 yesterday. Robert said Honnold's ascent of the 508m-tall skyscraper in just more than one-and-a-half hours without using safety ropes or equipment was a remarkable achievement. "This is my life," he said in an interview conducted in French, adding that he liked the feeling of being "on the edge of danger." The 63-year-old Frenchman climbed Taipei 101 using ropes in December 2004, taking about four hours to reach the top. On a one-to-10 scale of difficulty, Robert said Taipei 101
Nipah virus infection is to be officially listed as a category 5 notifiable infectious disease in Taiwan in March, while clinical treatment guidelines are being formulated, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. With Nipah infections being reported in other countries and considering its relatively high fatality rate, the centers on Jan. 16 announced that it would be listed as a notifiable infectious disease to bolster the nation’s systematic early warning system and increase public awareness, the CDC said. Bangladesh reported four fatal cases last year in separate districts, with three linked to raw date palm sap consumption, CDC Epidemic Intelligence
US climber Alex Honnold left Taiwan this morning a day after completing a free-solo ascent of Taipei 101, a feat that drew cheers from onlookers and gained widespread international attention. Honnold yesterday scaled the 101-story skyscraper without a rope or safety harness. The climb — the highest urban free-solo ascent ever attempted — took just more than 90 minutes and was streamed live on Netflix. It was covered by major international news outlets including CNN, the New York Times, the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal. As Honnold prepared to leave Taiwan today, he attracted a crowd when he and his wife, Sanni,
Taiwanese and US defense groups are collaborating to introduce deployable, semi-autonomous manufacturing systems for drones and components in a boost to the nation’s supply chain resilience. Taiwan’s G-Tech Optroelectronics Corp subsidiary GTOC and the US’ Aerkomm Inc on Friday announced an agreement with fellow US-based Firestorm Lab to adopt the latter’s xCell, a technology featuring 3D printers fitted in 6.1m container units. The systems enable aerial platforms and parts to be produced in high volumes from dispersed nodes capable of rapid redeployment, to minimize the risk of enemy strikes and to meet field requirements, they said. Firestorm chief technology officer Ian Muceus said
RSS