Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) yesterday said he would attend the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) legislative candidates' campaign activities only if he was invited and could fit them into his schedule.
Wang was elaborating on a statement he made two days ago, saying he would not exclude the possibility of attending the TSU candidates' campaign activities.
Wang was attending a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative candidate's campaign activity in Kaohsiung County yesterday when he was asked by reporters about his statement regarding the TSU two days ago.
"TSU legislators supported me in the race for the legislative speakership, so it would be reciprocal to attend their campaign activities. It would be impossible for me to reject their request, if there is one," Wang said.
But Wang's statement has raised controversy in both the pan-blue and the pan-green camps. While People First Party (PFP) legislators have shown dismay, the TSU gave mixed reactions to the statement.
The KMT has made a set of rules for its legislative campaign, which state, "[the party] should support the pan-blue candidates fully to win the elections, but party members cannot become official staff for non-pan-blue candidates." In the pan-blue camp's eyes, Wang's statement would break the rules.
Taipei Mayor Ma Yin-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said that he could understand Wang's words, give his position.
"Vice chairman Wang is the legislative speaker, so it is understandable that he would say he does not exclude the possibility of attending TSU candidates' campaign activities. I believe Wang can handle this issue wisely," Ma said.
KMT caucus whip Tseng Yuan-chuan (曾永權) also said two days ago that he believed Wang would follow KMT's rules and decide on what campaign activities he would attend.
But the PFP caucus was not too positive about Wang's words.
"It is not a very good thing for Wang to attend TSU candidates' campaign activities because the TSU represents [former president] Lee Teng-hui's (李登輝) path, and it is the opposite of the KMT's path," PFP caucus whip Liu Wen-hsiung (劉文雄) said.
Some members of the TSU were also less than enthusiastic about Wang's gesture.
"We have not discussed Wang's statement, and we will not invite Wang to attend our campaign activities. After all, Wang is the KMT's vice chairman, and we have to be very clear about our stand during the elections. The TSU will focus, however, on having former president Lee attend the campaign activities," TSU caucus whip Huang Chung-yuan (
But another TSU caucus whip, Cheng Cheng-lung (程振隆), said the legislative speaker has a highly-regarded statute and if he could attend TSU candidates' campaign activities, it would be positive for the TSU's campaign.
"Whether it is Wang or Premier Yu Hsyi-kun, talking about attending the TSU's campaign activities, TSU candidates should welcome them," Cheng said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus said Wang's gesture was a move to protect his speakership.
"Wang has realized that the pan-blue camp will not win a majority of seats this time, so he is making friendly gestures toward the TSU for the upcoming race for the speakership," DPP caucus whip Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) said.
Tropical depression TD22, which was over waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, is likely to develop into a tropical storm by this morning and pose a significant threat to Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm named Krathon as it moves south and then veers north toward waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast, CWA forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. Given the favorable environmental conditions for its development, TD22’s intensity would reach at least typhoon levels, Hsu said. As of 2pm yesterday, the tropical depression was about 610km east-southeast of Taiwan proper’s
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
RSS