Politics

New Power Party announces leadership structure

Taipei Times
Date:  Sep 14, 2015
By: Chen Wei-han  /  Staff reporter

The New Power Party (NPP) yesterday announced its new leadership lineup — a seven-

Huang Kuo-chang speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday as his fellow New Power Party board of chairpersons members Huang Hsiu-chen, left, Freddy Lim, second left, and Hsu Yung-ming, right, listen. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

Huang Kuo-chang speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday as his fellow New Power Party board of chairpersons members Huang Hsiu-chen, left, Freddy Lim, second left, and Hsu Yung-ming, right, listen. Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times

member board of chairpersons that it said could prevent abuse of power and encourage participatory democracy — and vowed to win 10 percent of the at-large vote in January’s legislative elections.

The chairpersons are the party’s three legislative candidates — Academia Sinica researcher Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), musician Freddy Lim (林昶佐) and author/playwright Neil Peng (馮光遠) — Soochow University political science professor Hsu Yung-ming (徐永明), lawyers Huang Hsiu-chen (黃秀禎) and Lin Feng-jeng (林?正) and author Lin Shih-yu (林世煜).

They were elected last week by 427 party members through an online poll, with Huang Kuo-chang topping the poll with a 76.11 percent support rate.

The new board yesterday held its first meeting, during which Huang Kuo-chang was elected NPP executive chairman.     [FULL  STORY]

Tsai pans ‘gap’ between reality and media report

‘NOT THE FIRST TIME’:The DPP leader said she regrets the report’s inaccuracy and called on media to be more careful to respect academics and give readers the truth

Taipei Times
Date:  Sep 13, 2015
By: Loa Iok-sin  /  Staff reporter

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文)

Buddhist master Hsing Yun, front, praises Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, second left, at an exhibition in Kaohsiung yesterday. Photo: Su Fu-nan, Taipei Times

Buddhist master Hsing Yun, front, praises Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, second left, at an exhibition in Kaohsiung yesterday. Photo: Su Fu-nan, Taipei Times

yesterday said that she regrets the “gap” between reality and a media report on a US academic’s remarks about the so-called “1992 consensus,” urging the media to be more cautious when publishing reports.

When attending an Atlantic Council meeting last week on next year’s presidential election, Bonnie Glaser, a senior adviser for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that, during a scheduled meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) and US President Barack Obama in Washington next month, one of the messages that Xi would convey to Obama might be that in order to have cross-strait stability, there must be an acceptance by Taiwan’s next president of the “1992 consensus” and of the concept of “one China.”

However, the Chinese-language United Daily News published a report on Glaser’s remarks in a story with the headline quoting Glaser as saying: “Taiwan’s next president must accept the ‘1992 consensus.’”

KMT Taipei councilors criticize Ko over construction company tax cut

BROKEN PROMISE?Ko Wen-je said during his election campaign that he would endeavor to uphold ‘residential justice’ and the policy belies that pledge, the KMT said

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 11, 2015
By: Sean Lin  /  Staff reporter

A property tax cut proposed by the Taipei City Government yesterday came under fire from

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei city councillors hold a press conference in Taipei yesterday to criticize Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je for proposing a tax cut on Taipei properties. Photo: CNA

Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei city councillors hold a press conference in Taipei yesterday to criticize Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je for proposing a tax cut on Taipei properties. Photo: CNA

the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei City Council caucus, with city councilors saying that the policy is aimed at benefiting construction companies.

The city government earlier this month proposed a tax cut that would reduce property taxes paid by construction companies from 3.6 percent of the estimated value of a property to 2 percent for each house they are selling.

Under a draft bylaw, the tax rate would apply for one year after a property is put on the market, after which it would be raised back up to 3.6 percent.

The 2 percent rate is lower than that for residents holding two properties — 2.4 percent — and much lower than the rate stipulated for people with three or more properties — 3.6 percent.

At a news conference, KMT Taipei City Councilor Chen Chung-wen (陳重文) criticized the policy, saying that it created double standards for construction companies and Taipei residents.     [FULL  STORY]

Tsai: we must not go silent on Syrian refugee crisis

Chairperson calls for relief efforts

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-09-06
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen called for the

Tsai: we must do our part to help Syrian refugees. Central News Agency

Tsai: we must do our part to help Syrian refugees. Central News Agency

government Sunday to initiate a humanitarian mission to help the tragic plight of Syrian refugees as a result of the war that has plagued the Middle-East nation since 2011.

Tsai posted a comment on a social media after learning the story of a young Syrian boy whose body was found lying face-down on a beach near the Turkish resort of Bodrum earlier this week.

“Many innocent lives have been lost as a result of the bitter reality of war. We must act now in support of these refugees,” Tsai commented on her Facebook page.     [FULL  STORY]

Hung shows no sign of quitting election race

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-09-06
By: Ko Lin, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

Kuomintang presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu confirmed Sunday morning

Hung shows no sign of quitting. Central News Agency (2015-09-06 15:08:25)

Hung shows no sign of quitting. Central News Agency (2015-09-06 15:08:25)

her intention to stay on the election race remains unchanged despite having taken a short pause from her hectic campaign schedule earlier this week.

Hung’s televised speech was aired during a news conference at the KMT headquarters in Taipei, downplaying speculations that she was considering quitting the game due to poor poll results.

“I apologize for keeping you worried. For the past few days I’ve been contemplating on my past actions and looking at new ways to move forward,” she said.

The presidential contender posted a message on her Facebook page late night Wednesday saying she is suspending her campaign for self-contemplation and reflection.     [FULL  STORY]

Tsai hopeful on Chinese intent after military cuts

NOT LYING DOWN:The Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate said that she has no plans to take a break from campaigning like her opponents

Taipei Times
Date:}  Sep 05, 2015
By: Abraham Gerber  /  Staff reporter, with CNA

China’s military personnel cuts will not necessarily reduce its might, Democratic

Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, center, joins performers on stage in Taipei yesterday to perform a song from her campaign album. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, center, joins performers on stage in Taipei yesterday to perform a song from her campaign album. Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times

Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) earlier this week announced that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would reduce personnel by 300,000.

Tsai said that while the cuts would not necessarily reduce China’s military power, she took note of the Chinese government’s declaration that the PLA would not seek hegemony.

She said she hoped that China would sincerely work with other nations to maintain regional peace and stability, adding that strengthening Taiwan’s armed forces was still necessary to protect the nation’s security, democracy and way of life.     [FULL  STORY]

Hung Hsiu-chu to resume presidential campaign next week

Hung Hsiu-chu, the presidential candidate of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang, will

Hung Hsiu-chu gives a press conference, Sept. 1. (Photo/CNA)

Hung Hsiu-chu gives a press conference, Sept. 1. (Photo/CNA)

“absolutely run the full course of her campaign,” a spokeswoman said Thursday, adding that Hung will be back on her campaign trail next week.

Wang Hung-wei made the comments at a press conference after Hung announced late the previous day that she would suspend her campaign for an unspecified period to undergo self-reflection, sparking speculation that she might withdraw from the race.

The presidential election will be held Jan. 16, 2016 alongside legislative elections.

The Chinese Regime Is Trying to Scare Taiwan Ahead of Its Elections

Epoch Times
Date: September 2, 2015
By: Joshua Philipp

It’s been obvious that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been trying to

Tsai Ing-wen (C), chairwoman of Taiwan's main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), gestures with party members during a press conference in Taipei on April 15. The Chinese regime is holding military drills simulating invasions of Taiwan, ahead of the Taiwanese presidential elections. (SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Tsai Ing-wen (C), chairwoman of Taiwan’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), gestures with party members during a press conference in Taipei on April 15. The Chinese regime is holding military drills simulating invasions of Taiwan, ahead of the Taiwanese presidential elections. (SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

send a message to Taiwan. Over the last couple months, these warnings have gone from vague, to obvious, to plain as day—and this very likely has something to do with Taiwan’s 2016 presidential elections leaning in a direction it doesn’t want.

Between late May and early June, the CCP’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) held several military exercises, which IHS Jane’s said simulated an invasion of Taiwan. During the drills, an image released by Chinese media showed a PLA officer giving a briefing behind a “digitally barely concealed map of Taiwan.”

As IHS Jane’s reported, the military exercises coincided with Tsai Ing-wen, the candidate for Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, visiting the United States between May 29 and June 3.      [FULL  STORY]

Lo defends ‘ballot flashing’ decision

LEGAL PRECEDENT:Following the decision, analysts said that prosecutors are now expected to drop charges against councilors in nine other cases of ‘ballot flashing’

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 03, 2015
By: Jason Pan  /  Staff reporter

Minister of Justice Lo Ying-shay (羅瑩雪) yesterday defended the Supreme

Prosecutor-General Yen Ta-ho tells reporters in Taipei yesterday that he would respect the Supreme Court’s decision that ‘ballot flashing’ does not violate the law. Photo: CNA

Prosecutor-General Yen Ta-ho tells reporters in Taipei yesterday that he would respect the Supreme Court’s decision that ‘ballot flashing’ does not violate the law. Photo: CNA

Court’s decision to reject an appeal against a “not guilty” ruling in the case of those accused of “ballot flashing” — showing who they have voted for in a supposedly secret ballot — in the 2010 Kaohsiung council speaker and deputy speaker elections, and said that if the public is concerned that the outcome might lead to more incidents of vote buying then the matter should be resolved by amending election laws.

Lo was referring to the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday to reject an extraordinary appeal filed by Prosecutor-General Yen Ta-ho (顏大和) that the case be reopened.     [FULL  STORY]

Chu should run for vice president: KMT member

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-09-02
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A new member of the Kuomintang’s Central Standing

Chu should run for vice president: KMT member. Central News Agency

Chu should run for vice president: KMT member. Central News Agency

Committee said Wednesday that party chairman Eric Liluan Chu should run for vice president to save the party.

The KMT’s official presidential candidate, Legislative Vice Speaker Hung Hsiu-chu, has been fighting an uphill battle in her bid for the January 16 election. Opposition Democratic Progressive Party leader Tsai Ing-wen has been leading in most opinion polls, while some surveys even put Hung in third place behind People First Party Chairman James Soong as well.

Lee Cho-ping, a member only elected to the CSC last Saturday, said he was planning to propose a motion calling on Chu to join Hung on the ticket as her running mate, reports said.     [FULL  STORY]