The "big four" possible Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates for the 2008 presidential election have recently marked their territory on diplomatic issues they would focus on should they assume the presidency.
Political observers, however, suggested that the quartet might want to focus more on domestic issues to woo the electorate in 2008.
The "big four" candidates are Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮), Premier Yu Shyi-kun, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Su Tseng-chang (
Although Lu gained much publicity during the Democratic Pacific Assembly earlier this month, the outspoken vice president never hesitates in speaking her mind and whipping up controversy. Her most recent gaffe came when she angered the Aborigines after Tropical Storm Mindulle, when she suggested they emigrate to Central America. Lu defended this by saying that the mountain and rivers in central Taiwan have been overcultivated and the area needs rest. As such, she suggested that people in the devastated areas -- including Han Chinese and Aborigines -- could choose to move to countries that are diplomatically aligned with Taiwan and exploit their natural resources.
Last August, Lu berated US-based aircraft maker Boeing Co after it turned down her request to visit the company's offices. "Shame on Boeing!" she said. "Rejecting me is rejecting the Republic of China and Taiwan. We need to guard our dignity and express our anger and give Boeing a warning."
Chin Heng-wei (金恆煒), editor-in-chief of Contemporary Monthly magazine, said that he personally thought that Lu does not stand a chance in running for the presidency in 2008.
"She's out," he said. "It's impossible for her to run in the next presidential election because of her lack of party and public support."
Echoing Chin's argument, columnist Hu Wen-huei (胡文輝) also expressed pessimism for Lu's presidential prospects.
"It's not that she doesn't stand a chance at all, it's that her chances are infinitesimal," he said. "Unless there are two pan-blue presidential candidates, it's impossible for her to win an election."
Unlike Lu's quick mouth, the soft-spoken Premier Yu always exercises self-restraint and prudence.
Yu, however, raised political eyebrows during his three-country diplomatic tour of the country's allies last week when he referred to the country as "Taiwan, ROC" without first consulting the Presidential Office in advance.
He also lambasted China for being provocative and said that the communist giant is secretly mapping underwater terrain in the Pacific in preparation for an eventual naval conflict with the US.
Although Yu's tough talk may help boost his political stature, Chin said that diplomatic and cross-strait affairs are not his jurisdiction but the president's.
"He might want to focus more on domestic issues, which is his legal duty," Chin said.
"He'd win Chen's trust and support if he does a good job as the nation's highest administrator."
Hu expressed a similar opinion.
"Yu should think about how to gain Chen's total trust before the presidential election because only with Chen's trust could he retain his premiership," he said.
Hu also pointed out that Yu might want to improve his English ability and boost his political charisma.
"I've known this guy [Yu] for years. He's a hard-working fellow but simply lacks interest and flare," Hu said.
In contrast to Yu's high-profile overseas trip, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Su Tseng-chang seems to know how not to outshine his boss, particularly in the diplomatic arena.
Last month, Su conducted a one-day secret visit to the Philippines after he had been assigned by Chen to convey his congratulations to re-elected President Gloria Arroyo.
Su refused to publicly comment on his trip when he returned, but a Chinese-language daily in Manila reported that Su's trip was to seek possible channels for a visit by Chen to the Philippines.
Although it is certain that Su's trip serves as a plus on his political performance card, Chin said that he doubted that the public would cast their vote for him simply because of one diplomatic achievement.
While Su seems to possess more political charisma than Yu, Hu said, Su might want to carefully handle the relationship with his future competitors -- Lu, Yu and Hsieh.
Taipei and New Taipei City government officials are aiming to have the first phase of the Wanhua-Jungho-Shulin Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line completed and opened by 2027, following the arrival of the first train set yesterday. The 22km-long Light Green Line would connect four densely populated districts in Taipei and New Taipei City: Wanhua (萬華), Jhonghe (中和), Tucheng (土城) and Shulin (樹林). The first phase of the project would connect Wanhua and Jhonghe districts, with Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Chukuang (莒光) being the terminal stations. The two municipalities jointly hosted a ceremony for the first train to be used
MILITARY AID: Taiwan has received a first batch of US long-range tactical missiles ahead of schedule, with a second shipment expected to be delivered by 2026 The US’ early delivery of long-range tactical ballistic missiles to Taiwan last month carries political and strategic significance, a military source said yesterday. According to the Ministry of National Defense’s budget report, the batch of military hardware from the US, including 11 sets of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and 64 MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, had been scheduled to be delivered to Taiwan between the end of this year and the beginning of next year. However, the first batch arrived last month, earlier than scheduled, with the second batch —18 sets of HIMARS, 20 MGM-140 missiles and 864 M30
Representative to the US Alexander Yui delivered a letter from the government to US president-elect Donald Trump during a meeting with a former Trump administration official, CNN reported yesterday. Yui on Thursday met with former US national security adviser Robert O’Brien over a private lunch in Salt Lake City, Utah, with US Representative Chris Stewart, the Web site of the US cable news channel reported, citing three sources familiar with the matter. “During that lunch the letter was passed along, and then shared with Trump, two of the sources said,” CNN said. O’Brien declined to comment on the lunch, as did the Taipei
A woman who allegedly attacked a high-school student with a utility knife, injuring his face, on a Taipei metro train late on Friday has been transferred to prosecutors, police said yesterday. The incident occurred near MRT Xinpu Station at about 10:17pm on a Bannan Line train headed toward Dingpu, New Taipei City police said. Before police arrived at the station to arrest the suspect, a woman surnamed Wang (王) who is in her early 40s, she had already been subdued by four male passengers, one of whom was an off-duty Taipei police officer, police said. The student, 17, who sustained a cut about