Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) is planning a trip to the US in the spring after retiring from National Taiwan University Hospital on Feb. 1, TPP Secretary-General Tom Chou (周台竹) said on Thursday.
The trip would not be short, but would finish within four weeks, he said.
While in the US, Ko plans to visit government offices, legislators and think tanks, and meet with people in the defense industry, Chou said.
Photo: CNA
Ko hopes to express to his hosts that Taiwan has limited funds to purchase military equipment and would buy only what is suitable for its defensive needs, Chou said.
The former Taipei mayor also plans to visit the US Congress to thank Taiwan-friendly lawmakers for their support, he added.
The plan is part of a new push by Ko and the TPP to prepare the party for next year’s presidential election.
Ko has submitted his retirement notice to National Taiwan University Hospital, and reportedly plans to open a personal office after the Lunar New Year holiday.
Chou, who has more than 30 years of diplomatic experience, was appointed as the party’s new secretary-general on Jan. 3, and has been tasked with formulating its diplomatic and cross-strait policies.
The TPP on Jan. 8 also established the affiliated Taiwan New Homeland Think Tank Association, as well as an internal policy think tank to establish policy suggestions on foreign, defense and internal administration affairs.
Former Taiwan Solidarity Union chairman Shu Chin-chiang (蘇進強), who was expelled over a 2014 visit to China, was tapped as CEO of the New Homeland association.
The think tank is to present a “third force” in Taiwanese politics during the election by consolidating views from different parties and experts, Shu said.
The proposals put forward by the think tank are to reflect major national policies and issues of concern to the people, he said.
Shu said he advised Ko to extend his sights beyond Taipei and consider what is feasible to create a strategy for Taiwan’s development.
Ko is to serve as chairman of the New Homeland think tank, with TPP Legislator Jang Chyi-lu (張其祿) and former party secretary-general Hsieh Li-kung (謝立功) serving as vice chairmen.
The think tank includes many former heads of departments under the Taipei City Government and members of other political parties, Hsieh said.
The scope of policies covered would therefore be larger than internal party think tanks, he said, adding that he hopes it provides advice for the 2024 election and on national development.
Three Taiwanese airlines have prohibited passengers from packing Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage. EVA Air and Uni Air said that Bluetooth earbuds and charger cases are categorized as portable electronic devices, which should be switched off if they are placed in checked luggage based on international aviation safety regulations. They must not be in standby or sleep mode. However, as charging would continue when earbuds are placed in the charger cases, which would contravene international aviation regulations, their cases must be carried as hand luggage, they said. Tigerair Taiwan said that earbud charger cases are equipped
Foreign travelers entering Taiwan on a short layover via Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport are receiving NT$600 gift vouchers from yesterday, the Tourism Administration said, adding that it hopes the incentive would boost tourism consumption at the airport. The program, which allows travelers holding non-Taiwan passports who enter the country during a layover of up to 24 hours to claim a voucher, aims to promote attractions at the airport, the agency said in a statement on Friday. To participate, travelers must sign up on the campaign Web site, the agency said. They can then present their passport and boarding pass for their connecting international
WEATHER Typhoon forming: CWA A tropical depression is expected to form into a typhoon as early as today, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday, adding that the storm’s path remains uncertain. Before the weekend, it would move toward the Philippines, the agency said. Some time around Monday next week, it might reach a turning point, either veering north toward waters east of Taiwan or continuing westward across the Philippines, the CWA said. Meanwhile, the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi was 1,310km south-southeast of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan’s southernmost point, as of 2am yesterday, it said. The storm is forecast to move through central
The age requirement for commercial pilots and airline transport pilots is to be lowered by two years, to 18 and 21 years respectively, to expand the pool of pilots in accordance with international standards, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced today. The changes are part of amendments to articles 93, 119 and 121 of the Regulations Governing Licenses and Ratings for Airmen (航空人員檢定給證管理規則). The amendments take into account age requirements for aviation personnel certification in the Convention on International Civil Aviation and EU’s aviation safety regulations, as well as the practical needs of managing aviation personnel licensing, the ministry said. The ministry
RSS