A non-governmental organization has come out in support of the Cabinet's efforts to investigate whether the KMT's vast asset holdings were legally obtained.
The Alliance for Monitoring Party Asset Reform said yesterday it had acquired written endorsements from all of Taiwan's major parties -- except the KMT -- supporting the idea that the assets of political parties should be closely monitored.
Alliance members say the holdings of every political party, including the DPP, should be scrutinized. The group has also proposed the formation of a special monitoring commission, to be led by the president or premier.
"Assets owned by any political party that had once equated itself to the state and any properties gained illegally should be returned to the nation's coffers," Chang Ching-hsi (張清溪), the alliance's deputy convener, said yesterday while visiting the DPP's headquarters.
In addition, Chang said the alliance also holds the position that no political party should be allowed to own stock or real estate.
Also, Chang said the government should limit government matching funds that offset a political party's campaign expenses.
According to the Political Party Law, a party whose share of the vote in an election exceeds 5 percent is entitled to NT$30 per ballot won.
The alliance has urged legislative candidates to support the passage of a special law to cap campaign subsidies, but the group made no specific proposals.
"The alliance will ask legislative candidates to declare their stance in this regard," Chang said.
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
RSS