The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) yesterday urged President Chen Shui-bian (
"So far, the progress of the March 19 shooting investigation indicates that the motive of the suspect, Chen Yi-hsiung (陳義雄), who attempted to murder President Chen Shui-bian (
`Ask for forgiveness'
"Therefore, we ask President Chen to learn from the emperors of ancient times and issue a decree to acknowledge his mistakes in leading the country and ask for the people's forgiveness," Chen said.
"President Chen owes all the people of Taiwan an apology and should seek more positive advice to stabilize the nation," he said.
Chen Chien-ming made the remarks during a news conference held yesterday morning at the TSU's headquarters.
Chen Chien-ming said that the president should grant the suspect's family an amnesty to show sincerity toward maintaining the nation's stability. Three members of the suspected shooter's family have been charged in relation to the investigation. They are alleged to have destroyed evidence.
Defensive referendum
Meanwhile, Liao again called on Chen to launch a "defensive referendum" on May 14, in tandem with elections for representatives to the National Assembly.
"China's proposed `anti-secession' law has revealed China's ambitions to seize Taiwan, and Taiwan's president has to take initiatives to counteract China's invasion," Liao said.
DPP Legislator Hsu Kuo-yung (
"The TSU's demand would only harm the union of the country and is not helpful for political cooperation," Hsu added.
Taipei and Kaohsiung have extended an open invitation to Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki after Chinese authorities abruptly canceled her scheduled concert in Shanghai. Hamasaki, 47, had been slated to perform on Saturday before organizers pulled the show at the last minute, citing “force majeure,” a move widely viewed as retaliation for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday said the city “very much welcomes” Hamasaki’s return and would continue to “surprise” her. Hamasaki, who has a large global fan base, including
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
Starting next month, people who signed up for the TPass 2.0 program can receive a 15 percent rebate for trips on mid to long-distance freeway buses or on buses headed to the east coast twice every month, the Highway Bureau said. Bureau Director-General Lin Fu-shan (林福山) said the government started TPass 2.0 to offer rebates to frequent riders of public transportation, or people who use city buses, highway buses, trains or MRTs at least 11 times per month. As of Nov. 12, 265,000 people have registered for TPass 2.0, and about 16.56 million trips between February and September qualified for
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