President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) is expected to emphasize unity and stability in Taiwan, urging Taiwanese people to work together to strengthen the country and boost national prosperity, in his first Oct. 10 National Day speech since his inauguration in May, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The source said the speech by Lai of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will extend an olive branch to the opposition parties and call for cross-political party cooperation, in the hope that regardless of any party affiliation, people in Taiwan should unite to allow the country to move forward.
The president’s National Day address will follow a theme he delivered in his inauguration speech on May 20, which emphasized democracy, peace and prosperity in Taiwan under a sound foundation laid down by his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), the source added.
Photo: CNA
Calling for cooperation across the political parties, Lai will address the confrontation between the ruling party and its opposition counterparts in the Legislative Yuan over issues such as the reviews of the government budget and nominations of members in the Examination Yuan and Judicial Yuan, the source said.
In his speech, Lai is also expected to focus on the importance for Taiwan to continue to play a critical role in the democratic supply chain, the source said.
Lai is expected to say that his country is more than willing to make contributions to the world and cooperate with its democratic allies to boost global peace and achieve economic betterment, the source added.
Meanwhile, as China continues its military intimidation against Taiwan and keeps squeezing Taiwan’s international space, Lai will say in his speech that his government will take the responsibility to maintain the status quo and stability across the Taiwan Strait amid the current geopolitical unease, according to the source.
The source added that Lai will also talk about creativity and confidence of the young generation in Taiwan in various fields, paving the way for the country to shine on the global stage and show Taiwan’s resilience in international participation despite oppression from China.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) today issued a sea warning for Typhoon Fung-wong effective from 5:30pm, while local governments canceled school and work for tomorrow. A land warning is expected to be issued tomorrow morning before it is expected to make landfall on Wednesday, the agency said. Taoyuan, and well as Yilan, Hualien and Penghu counties canceled work and school for tomorrow, as well as mountainous district of Taipei and New Taipei City. For updated information on closures, please visit the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Web site. As of 5pm today, Fung-wong was about 490km south-southwest of Oluanpi (鵝鑾鼻), Taiwan's southernmost point.
Almost a quarter of volunteer soldiers who signed up from 2021 to last year have sought early discharge, the Legislative Yuan’s Budget Center said in a report. The report said that 12,884 of 52,674 people who volunteered in the period had sought an early exit from the military, returning NT$895.96 million (US$28.86 million) to the government. In 2021, there was a 105.34 percent rise in the volunteer recruitment rate, but the number has steadily declined since then, missing recruitment targets, the Chinese-language United Daily News said, citing the report. In 2021, only 521 volunteers dropped out of the military, the report said, citing
A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Kaohsiung at 1pm today, the Central Weather Administration said. The epicenter was in Jiasian District (甲仙), 72.1km north-northeast of Kaohsiung City Hall, at a depth of 7.8km, agency data showed. There were no immediate reports of damage. The earthquake's intensity, which gauges the actual effects of a temblor, was highest in Kaohsiung and Tainan, where it measured a 4 on Taiwan's seven-tier intensity scale. It also measured a 3 in parts of Chiayi City, as well as Pingtung, Yunlin and Hualien counties, data showed.
Nearly 5 million people have signed up to receive the government’s NT$10,000 (US$322) universal cash handout since registration opened on Wednesday last week, with deposits expected to begin tomorrow, the Ministry of Finance said yesterday. After a staggered sign-up last week — based on the final digit of the applicant’s national ID or Alien Resident Certificate number — online registration is open to all eligible Taiwanese nationals, foreign permanent residents and spouses of Taiwanese nationals. Banks are expected to start issuing deposits from 6pm today, the ministry said. Those who completed registration by yesterday are expected to receive their NT$10,000 tomorrow, National Treasury
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