The People First Party (PFP) and its erstwhile ally the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) have a partner-to-partner relationship, but there are no plans for a merger, said the PFP yesterday.
"The PFP and the KMT have a very clear `partner-to-partner' relationship. We stand with the KMT in their position on Taiwan's national status and title. However, on social policies and issues, we are making the voters' concerns our priority and do not exclude the possibility of cooperating with any party," said PFP spokesman Hsieh Kong-ping (
Hsieh made reference to a previous statement by party chairman James Soong (
Hsieh made the comments while addressing rumors that the PFP and its traditional rival the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) might collaborate in the formation of a new Cabinet.
At the press conference, Hsieh denied that the PFP had plans to cooperate with the DPP and revealed that party chairman James Soong (
Soong is currently on a trip in the US.
Before Soong left Taiwan, said Hsieh, Soong had called Lien to discuss various party concerns. During the conversation, Soong had reassured Lien that the PFP would not cooperate with the DPP to form a new cabinet, said Hsieh.
Seeking to put an end to media speculation on the issue, Hsieh further emphasized that only the party's spokesperson, secretary-general, and legislative caucus whip could act as reliable sources of information.
All other people should not be considered representative of the party, and the PFP will not exclude taking legal action against future "irresponsible" media reports, said Hsieh yesterday.
PROCEDURE: Although there is already a cross-strait agreement in place for the extradition of criminals, ample notice is meant to be given to the other side first Ten Taiwanese who were involved in fraud-related crimes in China were extradited back to Taiwan via Kinmen County on Wednesday, four of whom are convicted fraudsters in Taiwan. The 10 people arrived via a ferry operating between Xiamen and Kinmen, also known as the “small three links.” The Kinmen County Prosecutors’ Office yesterday said that four of the 10 extradited people were convicted in Taiwan for committing fraud and contravening the Money Laundering Control Act (洗錢防制法), and were on the wanted list. They were immediately arrested upon arrival and sent to Kinmen Prison to serve their sentences following brief questioning, the office said.
‘REGRETTABLE’: Travelers reported that Seoul’s online arrival card system lists Taiwan as ‘China (Taiwan),’ the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday urged South Korea to correct the way Taiwan is listed in its newly launched e-Arrival card system, saying the current designation downgrades the nation’s status. South Korea rolled out the online system on Feb. 24 to gradually replace paper arrival cards, which it plans to phase out by next year. Travelers must complete the electronic form up to 72 hours before entering the country. The ministry said it has received multiple complaints from Taiwanese travelers saying that the system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in dropdown menus for both “place of departure” and “next
A small number of Taiwanese this year lost their citizenship rights after traveling in China and obtaining a one-time Chinese passport to cross the border into Russia, a source said today. The people signed up through Chinese travel agencies for tours of neighboring Russia with companies claiming they could obtain Russian visas and fast-track border clearance, the source said on condition of anonymity. The travelers were actually issued one-time-use Chinese passports, they said. Taiwanese are prohibited from holding a Chinese passport or household registration. If found to have a Chinese ID, they may lose their resident status under Article 9-1
VIGILANT: Enterovirus activity remains in the epidemic phase, with the CDC urging caregivers of infected children to be on the lookout for signs of severe illness Influenza activity is rising in neighboring countries, and, with temperatures forecast to drop this week, flu cases are expected to increase in the next two weeks, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. Hospitals reported 87,162 visits for flu-like illnesses between Nov. 23 and Saturday, which remained about the same level as the previous week, but nine deaths and 24 cases with serious flu complications were also confirmed last week, CDC Epidemic Intelligence Center Director Guo Hung-wei (郭宏偉) said. Flu activity reached a peak in late September before declining for eight consecutive weeks, CDC Deputy Director-General and spokesman Lin Min-cheng (林明誠)
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