Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Pasuya Yao (
"First of all, we would like to express our appreciation to Kaohsiung City Council for supporting Hsieh so much, no matter whether from the pan-blue camp or the pan-green camp. I think this is the best reflection of his [Hsieh's] achievements during his terms as mayor," Yao said. "But, the premier supports current acting mayor Yeh Chu-lan (
Yao spoke for Hsieh at his own farewell party at the GIO yesterday afternoon. He was responding to questions regarding a story in the Chinese-language United Evening Express newspaper that said Kaohsiung City Council had requested that Hsieh be assigned the city's new acting mayor.
The proposal was supported by both pan-blue and pan-green councilors.
Hsieh stepped down as Kaohsiung mayor last year when he was appointed premier.
Yao said that Hsieh would affirm Yeh's ability and her determination to serve the people of Kaohsiung and would continue to support her.
Regarding his own plans, Yao said he will first complete a book about his experience in Kaohsiung, where he previously worked as a top Hsieh aide, and then will begin to think about his next step.
However, Yao also implied many times that he would run in the Kaohsiung City mayor election this year or in the next legislative elections.
"I think it is not necessary for a politician to immediately move on to another position when he is leaving the previous one," Yao said.
At the start of yesterday's farewell party, the GIO showed a home-made video telling the story of Yao's life to the press and GIO employees.
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
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
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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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