President Chen Shui-bian (
Addressing the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) weekly Central Executive Committee meeting, which was held in Kaohsiung yesterday as part of the party's efforts to improve its chances in the city councilor by-elections today, Chen said in his capacity as party chairman that "city diplomacy" is a breakthrough in diplomatic practice.
"The city's success in winning the World Games, against the backdrop of China's incessant opposition to the nation's participation in international events, is particularly precious.
"It demonstrates the valuable contribution that city diplomacy can make to the central government's diplomatic efforts," Chen said.
His comments came in response to a report by Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) on the progress of the city's urban development and major infrastructure construction projects.
Chen said that since the DPP came to power, the government has addressed the distribution of governmental resources, which favored Taipei City and largely ignored southern Taiwan.
Earlier in the day, the Kao-
hsiung City Government announced that a new Web site -- www.worldgames2009.org.tw -- would provide the public detailed information about the 2009 World Games.
"I hope this new Web site can play the role of a communication conduit between Kaohsiung and the world about the 2009 World Games," Hsieh said.
The mayor said that Kaohsiung has continued preparing for the international tournament since it signed a contract to host the games with officials from the International World Games Association on June 14.
"The Web site is one of numerous preparatory projects. We still have a lot of construction to do," Hsieh said.
According to the Web site, 3,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries will take part in the games.
UPGRADE: The Kang Ding-class frigate is replacing its Chaparall missiles with Tien Chien II and Hua Yang VLS, which would provide it with long-range, 360° air defense Taiwan plans to produce 1,200 to 1,376 Hai Chien II missiles (海劍二, Sea Sword II) — also known as TC-2N — to serve as the standard air defense system of the navy’s surface combatant fleet, a source said yesterday. Last week, the Hai Chien II, the naval version of the Tien Kung II missile (天劍二, Sky Sword II), completed a live-fire test in waters off the National Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology’s Jiupeng facility (九鵬) in Pingtung County’s Manjhou Township (滿州). The MIM72 Chaparral and other dated air defense missiles that currently arm Taiwanese ships have inadequate range to combat Chinese
REASONS FOR TRAVEL: An assistant professor said that proposed amendments to penalize drivers if they used drugs overseas would not deter people from traveling People who operate a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana would have their driver’s license revoked, even if they used the substance while overseas, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday, citing proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處罰條例). The amendments would also authorize the government to revoke the licenses of people determined to have used Category 1 or Category 2 narcotics, even if they were not operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, as well as ban them from taking the license test for three years, the ministry said. People aged 18 or
Johanne Liou (劉喬安), a Taiwanese woman who shot to unwanted fame during the Sunflower movement protests in 2014, returned to Taiwan last night after being deported from the US. She is to stand trial in Taiwan for charges involving embezzlement, fraud and drug crimes. The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said it took her into custody at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and would first question her before transferring her to the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office. She was arrested upon disembarking a flight from San Francisco that landed shortly before 7pm. Liou absconded to the US in 2019 after jumping bail
Shih Hsin University President Chen Ching-he (陳清河) yesterday issued a public apology for comments made in his commencement speech last week, stating that he has asked the school to suspend his duties and halt his wages for two months as a show of contrition. At the commencement ceremony on May 30, Chen said, “If you don’t manage your time well, or your own emotions, or your health, then I am telling every one of you — put a quick end to ‘you,’ because the world has no need for ‘you.’” The comments have sparked significant controversy online, and Chen through an open
RSS