Page Three

Support for Tsai slides, Chu and Soong get boost

WINNERS:Most people in a survey after the presidential debate said Tsai performed most like a national leader, while Soong’s performance was the most impressive

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 30, 2015
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡

Cross-Strait Policy Association deputy director-general Tan Yao-nan, center, speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday announcing the results of a survey on the recent vice presidential and presidential candidates’ televised debates. Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times

英文) support rating has declined noticeably following Sunday’s televised presidential debate, while those of the other two candidates have increased mildly, according to a survey released by the Cross-Strait Policy Association (CSPA) yesterday.

The telephone-based poll, conducted between Sunday evening and Monday among Taiwanese aged 20 or older, showed that while Tsai maintained a strong lead over her rivals, her support rating has dropped to 45.1 percent, compared with 52.6 percent in a survey released by the association three weeks ago.

In contrast, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu’s (朱立倫) approval rating rose from 20.1 percent to 22.1 percent over the same period, while a more significant rise was observed in the support rating for People First Party (PFP) presidential candidate James Soong (宋楚瑜): from 9.2 percent to 13.6 percent.     [FULL  STORY]

Chu, Wang remarks on minimum wage level spark public debacle

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-12-28
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Kuomintang’s propaganda move to raise the nation’s minimum monthly wage

Chu, Wang remarks on wage level spark debacle.

Chu, Wang remarks on wage level spark debacle.

has sparked a huge public debacle as KMT presidential candidate Eric Chu remarked during the televised election debate on Sunday that he would increase the minimum salary to NT$30,000 (30K) if elected, contrary to what his running mate Jennifer Wang had promised a day earlier that the number would be NT$40,000, or 40K.

The downgrade from 40K to 30K in mere 24 hours of their speech has led many to believe whether there was a breakdown in the communication channel between Chu and Wang, or if Wang simply exaggerated her pledge to seek sympathy from voters as a result of her tarnished reputation in the housing scandal.

The KMT vice presidential candidate however pointed out Monday that her 40K pledge meant the nation’s fresh graduates would first need to undergo a so-called “vocational training program” in order to benefit the 40K monthly salary.     [FULL  STORY]

Watching Taipei 101 fireworks from riverside parks

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/28
By: Yu Kai-hsiang and Kay Liu

The Hydraulic Engineering Office of Taipei recommends the city’s riverside

The Rainbow Bridge, near the Raohe night market and the Songshan metro station. (CNA file photo)

The Rainbow Bridge, near the Raohe night market and the Songshan metro station. (CNA file photo)

parks as ideal locations to view the annual Taipei 101 New Year’s fireworks spectacular.

The top locations, according to the office, are Rainbow Riverside Park between the Minquan Bridge and MacArthur First Bridge, and on the Rainbow Bridge that connects Songshan and Neihu districts.

The riverside parks around the Dazhi Bridge are also ideal locations, since they are north of the Taipei 101 skyscraper and are less likely to have the fireworks display blocked by the resulting smoke.

People who choose to enjoy the Taipei 101 fireworks extravaganza at these particular riverside parks can also get a great view of the pyrotechnics display put on by the Miramar shopping center in the Dazhi area.     [FULL  STORY]

ROC presidential candidates square off in 1st debate

Taiwan Today
Date: December 28, 2015

Candidates Eric Chu of the Kuomintang, Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic

The KMT’s Eric Chu (center), DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen (right) and PFP’s James Soong take part in the first televised presidential debate Dec. 27 in Taipei City. (CNA)

The KMT’s Eric Chu (center), DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen (right) and PFP’s James Soong take part in the first televised presidential debate Dec. 27 in Taipei City. (CNA)

Progressive Party and James Soong of the People First Party faced off in the first of two televised debates Dec. 27 for the upcoming 2016 ROC presidential election.

Issues covered by the three hopefuls included international relations, trade liberalization and cross-strait interactions. Chu proposed a three-pronged strategy to stimulate sustainable growth, vowing to expand the ROC’s international space by building on the foundation of improved ties between Taiwan and mainland China.

“Over the last seven years, the ruling KMT has made significant headway in cross-strait peace and stability in line with the 1992 consensus. The progress has led to the deepening of international cooperation spanning tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges,” he said, citing the visa-free entry or other privileges now offered by 158 countries to ROC passport holders.

Additionally, Chu pledged to boost the nation’s global competitiveness while raising the minimum wage from NT$20,008 (US$610) to NT$30,000 in four years. He also plans to reform Taiwan’s taxation system so as to reduce wealth inequality in society.     [FULL  STORY]

Netizens mock Chu over ‘Tamsui Grandma’ tale

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 29, 2015
By: Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu (朱立倫) yesterday shrugged off netizens mocking him over a story he told during Sunday’s televised debate about an elderly woman who prompted him to run for the presidency.

“I would like to thank everyone for their concern. I met an elderly woman during a visit to a local temple. Not only her, but many others have also encouraged me to take care of Taiwan, which is why I will do my best to work for the nation,” Chu said.

Chu made the remarks during a visit to Taitung County, in response to media queries on the growing public curiosity about the identity of the woman who Chu said he met during a trip to New Taipei City’s Tamsui District (淡水).

Chu on Sunday said that the woman told him “the gods will not forgive you if you do not run for president,” when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) questioned his integrity, citing his promise to serve out his term as New Taipei City mayor and not vie for the top office.

Chu’s comments quickly triggered an outpouring of ridicule on the Internet, with netizens saying that they doubt the existence of the woman.     [FULL  STORY]

First snow could come byt the end of the year

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-12-27
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Meteorologists Wu Derong predicted Sunday that the first snow of the winter

First snow could come by the end of the year.

First snow could come by the end of the year.

could come during December 28-31 in high mountain regions in Taiwan, where temperatures could drop below zero degrees Celsius for a period of time, adding that chances of snow are especially high on December 30 because of more moisture in the sky.

Even though cold air is not strong on flat areas, temperatures on Hehuan Mountain and Jade Mountain could drop below zero degrees Celsius from December 28 – 31, Wu said. Coupled with moisture in the sky, these regions are very likely to see the first snow during this period, he added.

As for weather for the New Year activities around Taiwan such as countdown parties, fireworks and watching the first sunrise of the year, Wu said central and southern Taiwan on the leeward side of mountains will offer better places for activities, while eastern Taiwan on the windward side will depend on how soon the weather begins to turn from wet, cold conditions to dry conditions.     [FULL  STORY]

Japan asked to give same treatment to Taiwanese, Korean comfort women

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/27
By: Tang Pei-chun and Elizabeth Hsu

Taipei, Dec. 27 (CNA) Taiwan asked Japan Sunday to apply any agreement reached with South Korea in scheduled bilateral talks over the “comfort women” issue to victims in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affair (MOFA) said Sunday.

Taiwan has been insisted that Japan should formally apologize to Taiwanese women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, and offer compensation to the women, known euphemistically as “comfort women,” the MOFA said.

Taiwan will continue to negotiate with Japan based on the stand, asking for the justice and dignity to which the victims deserve, it added.

The ministry made the statement after media reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will meet with his South Korean counter part, Yun Byung-se, in Seoul on Monday to discuss comfort women issue.

The report drew the attention of the Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation, which has been dedicated to helping Taiwanese comfort women cope with their mental anguish and seek justice and compensation from Japan over the past two decades.     [FULL  STORY]

2016 ELECTIONS: Candidates debate pork, trade, China

HE SAID, SHE SAID:The first televised presidential debate saw Chu and Tsai banter over stalled talks and travel details, while Soong said he had been sidelined

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 28, 2015
By: Sean Lin  /  Staff reporter

The three presidential candidates yesterday put the first televised debate into

Left to right, People First Party presidential candidate James Soong, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen take part in a debate yesterday in the Public Television Service building in Taipei’s Neihu District. Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times

Left to right, People First Party presidential candidate James Soong, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen take part in a debate yesterday in the Public Television Service building in Taipei’s Neihu District.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times

high gear soon after their opening statements, trading criticisms as they responded to questions posed by five media representatives in the second session of the debate.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Eric Chu (朱立倫) criticized Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) when the candidates were asked to declare their stance on whether they would agree to the US’ condition that imported pork with leanness-enhancing additives must be allowed as a prerequisite for Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Noting Tsai’s meeting with US trade representatives in June, Chu said Tsai excluded the meeting from her itinerary to avoid media queries, adding that it was during the discussion that the possibility of importing leanness-enhanced pork is believed to have taken place.

Chu said his own meeting with US officials was carried out in an open manner, adding he that responded to reporters’ questions about his meeting.

The same opaqueness in Tsai’s meeting was manifest in her cross-strait policies, Chu added.

Ko says not worried over possible probe on budget

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 27, 2015
By: Sean Lin  /  Staff reporter

Faced with a possible Control Yuan investigation over the Taipei City

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, center right, yesterday sings at an outdoor concert in Taipei organized by metal band Chthonic, whose lead singer, Freddy Lim, center left, is running as a New Power Party legislative candidate. Photo: Chung Hung-liang, Taipei Times

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, center right, yesterday sings at an outdoor concert in Taipei organized by metal band Chthonic, whose lead singer, Freddy Lim, center left, is running as a New Power Party legislative candidate.
Photo: Chung Hung-liang, Taipei Times

Government’s improper use of its public housing budget, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) yesterday said that he would not worry too much about being investigated, and that being probed by the agency during his time as a physician actually helped him become Taipei mayor.

Ko made the remark at a forum in New Taipei City’s Yonghe District (永和), where he discussed with legislative candidates his political beliefs and possibilities of improving collaborations between the two municipalities.

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei City Councilor Chen Yung-te (陳永德) on Friday said that the KMT Taipei City Council caucus would file a report with the Control Yuan concerning the city government’s inappropriate use of funds, which it said totaled NT$15 million (US$454,476), and ask that Ko be probed.

The city government’s unauthorized use of the fund was illegal and disdainful, Chen said.     [FULL  STORY]

Tainan records zero new dengue cases for second time

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/26
By: Chang Jung-hsiang and Frances Huang

Taipei, Dec. 26 (CNA) Tainan recorded no new dengue fever cases Friday, the 201512260032t0001second day in three days in which the southern city reported zero new infections, according to statistics released by the health authorities in the city Saturday.

Two days earlier, Tainan reported no new cases for the first time since May. On Thursday, the city reported four new cases of the mosquito-borne disease.

In addition to the zero new cases reported Friday, the Department of Health of the Tainan city government said that out of the total 37 districts in the city, 19 had reported no new cases for the 28th consecutive day, meaning that these districts were considered clear of infection.

The 19 districts are Danei, Liouying, Baihe, Zuojhen, Shanshang, Nansi, Yanshuei , Lioujia, Guantian, Cigu, Yujing, Jiali, Syuejia, Jiangjyun, Houbi, Longci, Sigang, Madou and Siaying, the authorities said.     [FULL  STORY]