The Taipei City Government is a team in which ideas can be negotiated, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said yesterday amid rumors that decisionmaking power in his administration is too centralized.
On Monday, Lo Wang-zhe (羅旺哲) resigned as the city government’s spokesman due to “health reasons” after being in the role for less than two months.
Chinese-language media reported that city government insiders said the main reason for Lo’s resignation was frustration at decisions being in the hands of only a few people.
Photo: CNA
The reports said that Chen Kuo-jun (陳國君), a consultant, was among the top decisionmakers and was instructing — even at times scolding — government officials, so much so that a source described him as an “undercover mayor.”
Taipei Department of Civil Affairs Commissioner Chen Yung-te (陳永德) on Monday also hinted in a Facebook post that he intended to retire.
Asked about the post on Tuesday, he said that he feels tired, but has not spoken with Chiang about the issue nor made a decision about his job.
Even if Chiang wanted to talk to him about his job, the mayor might feel uncomfortable with it being so soon after Lo’s departure and due to his own friendship with Chiang, Chen Yung-te said.
Given the situation, he would not raise the issue with Chiang, but he does feel more tired than he did when he was a city councilor, he added.
Chiang yesterday said that he has spoken with Chen Yung-te and visited a temple with him on Tuesday, so their communication is smooth, while Chen Yung-te has been working hard to push forward department policies since he took office.
The city government is a team and all of its members are playing according to their roles, and its departments are working together, he said.
Asked about decisionmaking power and whether Chen Kuo-jun was an “undercover mayor,” Chiang reiterated that the city government is a team in which every member shares their ideas to be thoroughly discussed to reach the best decisions.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
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