Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday said that his party’s presidential candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), in his visit to the US would clearly tell friends in the international community that the KMT is the true defender of the Republic of China (ROC).
Vice President William Lai (賴清德), the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, “promotes Taiwanese independence every day,” he said.
Chu’s comments came a day after Lai was quoted by Bloomberg Business as saying in an interview that “Taiwan is already a sovereign, independent country called the Republic of China.”
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
“And in respect to unifying Taiwanese society, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has used the term Republic of China [Taiwan] to describe our country. I will continue to do so in the future,” Lai was quoted as saying. “There are no plans to change the name of our country.”
In response, Chu said in a speech to the KMT Central Standing Committee that the KMT is the true defender of Taiwan’s constitutional order while the DPP has been working toward the formal independence of Taiwan.
“Lai, the golden grandchild of the Taiwanese independence movement and a self-avowed pro-independence politician, has supported Taiwanese independence every day of his life,” Chu said.
“Even Taiwanese independence supporters say that they would vote for Lai so that he can push for independence after taking office,” he added.
Support for Taiwanese independence is in Lai’s genes and he would not change “even if he lied to obtain votes and international support,” Chu said, adding that the KMT is the true guardian of Taiwan and the guarantor of peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Separately, Hou said that Lai in the past characterized himself as a pragmatic politician advocating for Taiwanese independence.
Considering Lai’s previous public comments, his recent claims about not seeking formal independence do not make sense, Hou said.
DPP Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) yesterday slammed Chu in a Facebook post saying that his remarks are indistinguishable from those of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
“Is the KMT chairman lodging a complaint against Lai to Westerners on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party?” he asked.
Chu’s remarks breached the cardinal rule that a politician must put the nation above their private or partisan political interests when speaking to an international audience, Wang said, adding that politicians should refrain from complaining about political opponents to outsiders.
The KMT has achieved “a new low” in sharing Taiwan’s internal political disputes with the nation’s allies in a public manner, Wang said.
Additional reporting by Chen Cheng-yu and Lai Hsiao-tung
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
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
RSS