Taipei Times
Date: Sep 08, 2016
By: Alison Hsiao / Staff reporter
Rumors that People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) is to represent President Tsai
People First Party Chairman James Soong speaks at a political summer camp organized by the party for youth in Taipei on Aug. 13. Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
Ing-wen (蔡英文) at this year’s APEC leaders’ summit in November yesterday drew a mixed response.
Reports about the alleged appointment hit the Chinese-language media late on Tuesday night, and when questioned about them that night, Presidential Office spokesperson Alex Huang (黃重諺) said the selection was still in the planning stages and an announcement would be made once an envoy is chosen.
PFP Culture and Publicity Department director Vivian Huang (黃珊珊) yesterday said “the PFP has no comment about it now, as [we should] all respect the announcement by the Presidential Office [when it occurs].”
However, Soong “has made it clear many times that he and the PFP would be more than glad to assist in activities that could facilitate peaceful cross-strait development,” she said.
Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) yesterday said that if confirmed, Soong would be a “creative and appropriate pick, as he is no longer active on the political front lines and has a pretty good relationship with Beijing.”
Soong is “someone Beijing could trust,” Tsai Chi-chang said. [FULL STORY]