A united front by the opposition camp in the race for Kaohsiung mayor remains hopeful though negotiations have been halted after independent candidate Chang Po-ya (
"Leaders from the KMT and PFP have not given up hope of a joint bid despite the impasse brought on by Chang's departure," according to Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) who concurrently serves as KMT vice chairman.
Accusing the KMT of unfair play, Chang, who has the backing of the PFP, decided late Wednesday night to quit pan-blue efforts to wage a joint campaign against incumbent DPP Mayor Frank Hsieh (
Wang said the development has not stopped KMT Chairman Lien Chan (
"Their desire to cooperate remains unchanged and both are making last-ditch efforts to remove internal resistance," the speaker told reporters during a recent interview.
He conceded a gap exists between the KMT leadership and local officials on the matter.
Lien has reportedly agreed to endorse a non-KMT candidate in exchange for PFP support in the 2004 presidential election, and more urgently, in the fight against legislation that would allow the government to confiscate KMT assets alleged to have been illegally acquired.
But the KMT Kaohsiung chapter favors its own flag-bearer Huang Jung-ying (
"The key lies in finding a candidate receptive to both parties," Wang said, noting that bilateral officials have exercised restraint despite minor verbal skirmishes.
He dismissed worries the mayoral race would have a negative influence on the presidential elections saying the field will not be as crowded.
"For elections of that level, individual officials will not vie to air their views," the KMT leader said.
Four factors led to the declaration of a typhoon day and the cancelation of classes yesterday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. Work and classes were canceled across Taiwan yesterday as Typhoon Krathon was forecast to make landfall in the southern part of the country. However, northern Taiwan had only heavy winds during the day and rain in the evening, leading some to criticize the cancelation. Speaking at a Taipei City Council meeting yesterday, Chiang said the decision was made due to the possibility of landslides and other problems in mountainous areas, the need to avoid a potentially dangerous commute for those
Typhoon Krathon, a military airshow and rehearsals for Double Ten National Day celebrations might disrupt flights at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in the first 10 days of next month, the airport’s operator said yesterday. Taoyuan International Airport Corp said in a statement that it has established a response center after the Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for Krathon, and urged passengers to remain alert to the possibility of disruptions caused by the storm in the coming days. Flight schedules might also change while the air force conducts rehearsals and holds a final airshow for Double Ten National Day, it added. Although
SEMICONDUCTORS: TSMC is able to produce 2-nanometer chips and mass production is expected to be launched by next year, the company said In leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing China is behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) by at least 10 years as the Taiwanese chipmaker’s manufacturing process has progressed to 2 nanometers, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said yesterday. Wu made the remarks during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Education and Culture Committee when asked by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) about a report published in August by the Chinese version of Nikkei Asia that said Taiwan’s lead over China in chip manufacturing was only three years. She asked Wu Cheng-wen if the report was an accurate
PRO-CHINA SLOGANS: Two DPP members criticized police officers’ lack of action at the scene, saying that law enforcement authorities should investigate the incident Chinese tourists allegedly interrupted a protest in Taipei on Tuesday held by Hong Kongers, knocked down several flags and shouted: “Taiwan and Hong Kong belong to China.” Hong Kong democracy activists were holding a demonstration as Tuesday was China’s National Day. A video posted online by civic group Hong Kong Outlanders shows a couple, who are allegedly Chinese, during the demonstration. “Today is China’s National Day, and I won’t allow the displaying of these flags,” the male yells in the video before pushing some demonstrators and knocking down a few flagpoles. Radio Free Asia reported that some of the demonstrators
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