President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen will make his decision known when he receives the organizers of the march at the Presidential Office, he said after a news conference at which the march organizer, the "Democracy, Peace and Defend Taiwan Alliance" (
One model is a white globe that Su called a "shining pearl," signifying Taiwan's love of peace and insistence on democracy. The other is a red globe with long spikes, resembling a sea urchin and symbolizing China's violence-oriented autocracy, according to Su.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
The two "spiritual forts" signify the strong contrast between the natures of Taiwan and China, Su said.
"The red sea urchin with long pointed spikes also symbolizes China's missiles targeted at Taiwan and the SARS virus spreading to Taiwan, which both convey an uncomfortable feeling of suppression, evil and danger. It is an impression that China has given Taiwan and the whole world," Su added.
At yesterday's news conference, presidential adviser Lee Yuan-chen (李元貞) and the former president of the Taiwan Junior Chamber (國際青年商會), Tsai Shih-yin (蔡世寅), joined fellow alliance members in piercing red balloons resembling sea urchins.
They said the action represents resistance to an invasion by China.
Meanwhile, the alliance has prepared about a dozen mobile phone messages that can be downloaded from its Web site and sent to young people to encourage them to take part in the march.
"We know that young people love using mobile messages to communicate with their friends, and we hope these messages will promote their participation in the march," Cheng Wen-tsan (
Later yesterday, Cheng, DPP caucus whip Peter Lin (
Wang did not give an answer immediately, saying he needed more time to think about it.
Taipei City spokesman Yu Tze-hsiang (
LOOKING NORTH: The base would enhance the military’s awareness of activities in the Bashi Channel, which China Coast Guard ships have been frequenting, an expert said The Philippine Navy on Thursday last week inaugurated a forward operating base in the country’s northern most province of Batanes, which at 185km from Taiwan would be strategically important in a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca as saying that the base in Mahatao would bolster the country’s northern defenses and response capabilities. The base is also a response to the “irregular presence this month of armed” of China Coast Guard vessels frequenting the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait just south of Taiwan, the paper reported, citing a
A total lunar eclipse, an astronomical event often referred to as a “blood moon,” would be visible to sky watchers in Taiwan starting just before midnight on Sunday night, the Taipei Astronomical Museum said. The phenomenon is also called “blood moon” due to the reddish-orange hue it takes on as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, completely blocking direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. The only light is refracted by the Earth’s atmosphere, and its red wavelengths are bent toward the moon, illuminating it in a dramatic crimson light. Describing the event as the most important astronomical phenomenon
ENHANCING DETERRENCE: Stationing the missiles in Kyushu would allow Japan to cover waters near Taiwan and China’s coastal areas without any logistical difficulties Japan is to deploy extended-range anti-ship missiles at a Ground Self-Defense Force base in Kumamoto to bolster its defenses, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Saturday. The upgraded Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, with a range of more than 1,000km, would be capable of striking targets in the Taiwan Strait and along China’s coast. Originally limited to a few hundred kilometers, the Type 12 was recently modernized ahead of schedule. Deployment, initially slated for next year, has been accelerated after the upgrade was completed sooner than expected, the newspaper said. Stationing the missiles in Kyushu would allow Japan to cover waters near Taiwan and
The presence of Taiwanese politicians at China’s military parade tomorrow would send the wrong message to Beijing and the international community about Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy, a national security official said yesterday. China is to hold the parade tomorrow to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. By bringing together leaders of “anti-West” governments such as Russia, North Korea, Iran and Belarus, the parade aims to project a symbolic image of an alliance that is cohesive and unbending against Western countries, the national security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu
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