Former DPP chairman Shih Ming-te (施明德) promised yesterday to turn Kaohsiung into an "autonomous" port city that would enjoy direct links with China, in a speech to formally announce his candidacy to become that city's mayor.
"I want to make Kaohsiung into an autonomous trade port city, a substitute to Hong Kong that will become the main trading harbor between China and the rest of the world," Shih said yesterday at a press conference held at Kaohsiung Harbor.
In a speech that was long on promise and short on specifics, Shih said he hoped to turn Kaohsiung into an "autonomous" trade port.
By doing so, that would remove the "one China" obstacle from Kaohsiung's path, and "thus enable the city to realize direct links and bring in more business opportunities and prosperity.
"Only through [autonomy and direct links] can Kaohsiung enjoy a brighter tomorrow," the mayoral candidate said.
But Shih didn't elaborate on his proposal for autonomy, or how this would lead to direct links between Kaohsiung and China.
Huang Jun-ying (
Shih also promised yesterday not to sacrifice the city's interests for those of the central government.
"Of all the Kaohsiung mayors we've had, whether they were from the KMT or DPP, they eventually, one way or another, gave up Kaohsiung's best interests and surrendered to the central government," he said. "I will do my best to safeguard Kaohsiung's interests -- even if it means voicing opposition to the central government.
"If I'd dared to say `no' to the two Chiangs, why wouldn't I dare to say `no' to the Chen administration?" Shih said.
Shih was referring to former presidents Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) and Chiang Ching-kuo (蔣經國), who ruled Taiwan under martial law. Shih spent a quarter century in prison because of his pro-democracy and pro-independence stance during that time.
DPP Legislator Chen Chi-mai (
Shih, who quit the DPP after falling out with the party's leadership,will run as an independent. He faces DPP incumbent Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) in the year-end contest.
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