The Presidential Office yesterday denied that President Chen Shui-bian (
The statement came amid heated dispute over the casino issue after Minister of the Interior Chang Po-ya (張博雅) said on Wednesday at the legislature that Chen had expressed support for such a proposal during a meeting with the president of the Las Vegas-based company The Venetian Resort. The Venetian is wholly owned by Las Vegas Sands Inc.
"The president did not make any promise that casinos are to be set up in Penghu," said Kuo Yao-chi (
Kuo made the statement after reading out during an afternoon press conference what she said a was "a complete transcript" of the discussion on Oct. 26 between Chen and the president of The Venetian Resort, Selbon Andelson.
She said that Chen agreed to develop the international tourism industry, not casinos.
"Taiwan is an island country and should develop an international maritime tourism industry. I hope that with your investment Taiwan's tourism industry will be connected with and keep up with that of the world," Chen was reported to have said.
During the discussion, Chen several times praised the prosperity of Las Vegas and expressed appreciation for Andelson's plan to invest in tourism in Penghu, but he said, "as you [Andelson] said, now Las Vegas does not make profits only from the gambling industry but also from the sightseeing, shopping, restaurant and even golf industries."
According to the transcript, Chen also told Andelson that on Oct. 3 the Executive Yuan had held a cross-ministry meeting discussing issues related to the development of the outlying islands, and that an initial plan was discussed to develop the gambling industry on outlying islands by granting them special permission.
Citing the transcript, Kuo said that Chen held no firm position on the issue and believed it should be left for further discussion among the public and the Executive Yuan, and ultimately to a resolution of the legislature.
Questioned by reporters, however, Kuo declined to comment as to whether the interior minister, who was also present at Chen and Andelson's meeting, had misunderstood Chen's comments.
Earlier in the morning when pursued by the media, Minister Chang's tone had apparently changed. She said that a Las Vegas-style combination of casinos and other tourist industries "could be considered." The day before she had said she "entirely agreed with" the casino proposal.
She stressed that the point was the development of tourism in Penghu as a whole, not casinos alone.
Legislators from different parties also expressed concern over the issue. The People First Party legislative caucus held a press conference to criticize the government. PFP spokeswoman Diane Lee (李慶安) said that the DPP used to oppose casinos but had now swiftly had altered its position.
The New Party's Hsieh Chi-ta (
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College