Calling Taiwan the Republic of Confusion rather than the Republic of China (ROC), the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan yesterday set forth its pro-independence position on the upcoming presidential elections but came just shy of actually specifying its support for Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).
"We advocate principles and ideals," said church General Secretary Reverend William J.K. Lo (羅榮光). "People can think for themselves and decide which presidential candidate they believe draws closest to the principles we uphold."
The church yesterday issued a statement in support of a presidential candidate who upholds the "one country on each side" of the Taiwan Strait principle, advocates approving a new constitution via a referendum and demonstrates integrity.
"No candidate is perfect, but the national leader is a symbol for the country. A leader should not use public funds for personal benefit or condone domestic violence," said Lo, referring to People First Party Chairman James Soong's (宋楚瑜) involvement in the Chung Hsing Bills Finance scandal and allegations that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) physically abuses his wife.
In addition, Lo also said that Taiwan's future should be decided by Taiwanese citizens via a referendum.
"There shouldn't be any external influences. Both the US and China have to respect Taiwan's autonomy. Launching missiles at Taiwan to influence election results stands in the way of world peace. Conducting a referendum is the most peaceful tactic," Lo said.
"Taiwan's national status is up in the air right now -- it's floating in the `blue' sky. Taiwan needs to come down to earth -- the `green' earth," said Lo, explaining that the pan-blue camp's interpretations of Taiwan's national status led only to confusion.
"It's important to note that the [church's ] statement uses the term `Taiwan's president.' The president of Taiwan has no right to oppose Taiwan's independence -- that would be like Bush opposing US independence or Chinese President Hu Jintao (
The church also called for the promotion of Aboriginal self-rule and rights for minority groups in the rewritten constitution. The church statement pointed to the need for economic justice, calling for the sharing of resources and narrowing of the income gap.
The 230,000-strong Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has traditionally been deeply involved in national politics, particularly with the Taiwan independence movement, but yesterday clarified that it would not be establishing a campaign support group for Chen.
"The upcoming elections are crucial in determining Taiwan's sovereignty. People are torn between the two presidential nominees. As Christians, it's not enough to just worship and sing hymns. The church needs to express concern for society, the economy, politics and culture," said Lin Chung-cheng (林宗正), deputy general secretary of the church.
Lo also remarked that historically the church and state have engaged each other in dialogue and interaction, calling an absolute separation of religion and politics a myth.
"What value is there in a church that does not engage the world but focuses only on the church itself?" Lo asked.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
Taiwan sweltered through its hottest October on record, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, the latest in a string of global temperature records. The main island endured its highest average temperature since 1950, CWA forecaster Liu Pei-teng said. Temperatures the world over have soared in recent years as human-induced climate change contributes to ever more erratic weather patterns. Taiwan’s average temperature was 27.381°C as of Thursday, Liu said. Liu said the average could slip 0.1°C by the end of yesterday, but it would still be higher than the previous record of 27.009°C in 2016. "The temperature only started lowering around Oct. 18 or 19
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
RSS