KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
Lien, who finished in third place with only 23.1 percent of the vote in the 2000 presidential race, has been tight-lipped about the possibility of his making a second presidential bid.
When asked Thursday about whether he would run again, Lien said it was still premature to talk about that.
Lien said the KMT would make a decision on its presidential candidate at an appropriate time via democratic means.
Still declining to disclose his personal preference, Lien yesterday reiterated that the KMT would offer the people a "crucial and meaningful" choice in the next presidential campaign.
Unlike Lien, who is in no hurry, some KMT legislators, including those from the pro-localization Generation-E Alliance, have been pressuring their chairman to take a stand soon so that the party can make early preparations for the race.
Giving them reason to worry are Soong's recent contacts with grassroots supporters, a move believed to be intended to pave the way for his next presidential bid.
A local newspaper yesterday cited unnamed sources as saying that some pro-Lien people within the KMT are planning to promote Lien as the leader of the "pan-blue" camp and prepare for his candidacy in the 2004 race.
A panel has reportedly been set up to work on projects to upgrade Lien's public image.
But KMT officials yesterday denied knowledge of such a panel.
James Chen (
"The most important thing for us now is to create a climate [favorable to the KMT]," Chen said.
A KMT legislator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that some pro-Lien politicians are pushing for Lien's presidential candidacy.
The legislator reasoned that these politicians, who also hold party positions, are doing so to protect their interests.
Not optimistic about Lien's chances of winning, the legislator said that the KMT chairman has a lot of work to do if he is to join the race.
For example, he said, Lien's contact with grassroots supporters is lax compared with Soong's and President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁).
Another factor for the KMT to consider is whether cooperation with the PFP will continue into the 2004 race. The Taipei and Kaohsiung mayoral elections will put cooperation between the two to the test.
According to PFP Legislator Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠), who approached Soong about the possibility of a Lien-Soong presidential ticket in a recent meeting, the PFP leader, like Lien, believes it is still too early to talk about this issue.
Chin quoted Soong as saying, "The most important consideration is to win, rather than who will be on the ticket."
Kenting National Park service technician Yang Jien-fon (楊政峰) won a silver award in World Grand Prix Photography Awards Spring Season for his photograph of two male rat snakes intertwined in combat. Yang’s colleagues at Kenting National Park said he is a master of nature photography who has been held back by his job in civil service. The awards accept entries in all four seasons across six categories: architectural and urban photography, black-and-white and fine art photography, commercial and fashion photography, documentary and people photography, nature and experimental photography, and mobile photography. Awards are ranked according to scores and divided into platinum, gold and
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) caucus yesterday said it opposes the introduction of migrant workers from India until a mechanism is in place to prevent workers from absconding. Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) on Thursday told the Legislative Yuan that the first group of migrant workers from India could be introduced as early as this year, as part of a government program. The caucus’ opposition to the policy is based on the assessment that “the risk is too high,” KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang (林沛祥) said. Taiwan has a serious and long-standing problem of migrant workers absconding from their contracts, indicating that
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
TRADE-OFF: Beijing seeks to trade a bowl of tempura for a Chinese delicacy, an official said, while another said its promises were attempts to interfere in the polls The government must carefully consider the national security implications of building a bridge connecting Kinmen County and Xiamen, China, the Public Construction Commission (PCC) said yesterday. PCC Commissioner Derek Chen (陳金德), who is also a minister without portfolio, made the remarks in a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, after Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸) asked about China’s proposal of new infrastructure projects to further connect Kinmen and Lienchiang (Matsu) counties with Xiamen. China unveiled the bridge plan, along with nine other policies for Taiwan, on Sunday, the last day of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s (鄭麗文) visit
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