Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
Local Chinese-language media reported yesterday that many KMT veterans, as well as the younger generation, want Taipei Mayor and KMT Vice Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (
The local media also quoted a KMT veteran as saying that it would constitute a conflict of interests if the legislative speaker doubles as the chairman of an opposition party.
PHOTO: CNA
"It is just someone's individual opinion. As long as I follow the relevant regulations, no one will have any reason to complain," Wang said in a TV interview yesterday.
"I have been the KMT vice chairman and the legislative speaker at the same time, and I was never partial [when handling legislative affairs]. It is because most lawmakers approve of me that I have been able to facilitate the passage of hundreds of bills in the past," Wang said.
He said that the two jobs were "not incompatible."
Wang would not say whether he would run for the KMT chairmanship after Lien steps down, but praised Lien as the most appropriate candidate for handling pan-blue collaboration and merger affairs.
"I am too tired after the legislative speaker's election, and it is also close to the Lunar New Year, so let me think it over and meditate on party and domestic affairs during the holidays, and I'll make plans for the future," Wang said.
When asked what he thought of Ma running for the KMT chairman's post, Wang said: "That'd be nice."
In response to a question about whether he was planning to run in the presidential election in 2008, Wang said that he had not looked that far into the future yet.
"It is still too sensitive to talk about this now, and it is impractical too," Wang said.
The possibility of KMT Vice Chairman Chiang Pin-kung (
Wang said that he had reported the matter to Lien yesterday afternoon, but that Lien said the matter required more thought.
"Participation in the so-called `negotiation Cabinet' actually involves the whole opposition camp and the [opposition] figures' opinions and feelings need to be considered, so we can't decide on the issue alone," Wang said.
"Meanwhile, Chiang also has to think about whether there would be space for him to exercise his expertise. I believe he has finished his consideration, but you have to ask him about his decision," Wang said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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