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KMT seeks closer ties with TPP for better oversight
Explore the latest on Taiwan’s political scene: KMT legislator Lin Szu-ming announces plans for closer cooperation with the TPP to enhance legislative oversight and tackle policy scandals. Read more on the cross-party efforts and key issues at stake.
2024/09/18 11:59
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Taiwan’s new Congress: a stage for strategic party maneuvers
Controversy arises between the DPP and TPP following the election of the Legislative Yuan’s speaker and deputy speaker, with allegations of a "phone gate" incident and conspiracies over a cabinet leader dispute. The anticipated dynamics within the Legislative Yuan, including the Blue-White Cooperation between the KMT and TPP, may undergo significant changes due to each party’s objectives. Despite holding only eight seats, the TPP has established itself as a third force in this general election. The TPP promptly proposes four reforms to Congress, attracting attention with their strategic approach. Both the DPP and KMT express cautious apprehension towards the TPP’s growth and influence, shaping the new congress as a battleground for collaboration and competition among the three parties.
2024/02/05 10:39
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Taiwan gears up for critical legislative election
Taiwan is poised for significant political changes with its upcoming presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 13. The elections could result in a shift in legislative power, potentially leading to a divided minority government, and highlight the importance of inter-party cooperation in Taiwan’s political landscape.
2024/01/11 17:03
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Natixis: Taiwan’s economy set for growth amid 2024 election
The upcoming Taiwan presidential election is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economic growth, according to a research report by France’s Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking company. The report suggests that regardless of the election outcome, Taiwan is poised for economic growth, with the consumer and tech industries leading the way. The research predicts that economic growth could increase from 1.2% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024. While candidates share similar social and labor policies, the report highlights the major differences in their positions on industrial and energy areas, as well as Taiwan’s economic relationship with China. The report also mentions the potential role of Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je in triggering legislative instability. The incumbent Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leading in polls, is expected to continue pushing for diversified trade and investment policies, shifting focus from China to the U.S. and other Asian regions. However, achieving these targets may be challenging as Taiwan has missed out on regional trade and economic agreements such as RCEP, CPTTP, and the U.S.-led IPEF. If the Kuomintang (KMT) wins the election, they might seek closer trade and investment links with China by expanding the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), according to Natixis.
2024/01/06 17:16
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Cynthia Wu sheds ’Princess’ label, eyes Taiwan’s work reform
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) vice-presidential candidate Cynthia Wu aims to tackle societal issues and improve Taiwan’s working environment. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Wu characterizes the cooperation between Kuomintang (KMT) and China as too close, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is overly confrontational. She believes the "1992 consensus" needs updating and suggests that China propose a new treaty to foster dialogue. Wu acknowledges her privileged background and welcomes the nickname "Princess" given by the media. She emphasizes her attention to economically vulnerable populations, drawing on her work experience in London and business travels in Asia, Brazil, India, and Kenya. Wu was chosen as the primary election partner by party chairperson Ko Wen-je for her business background and international investment experience.
2024/01/04 14:57
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Hou Yu-ih challenges Tsai’s foreign policy effectiveness
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih challenges the effectiveness of President Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign policy, questioning its impact on Taiwan-China communication, severed relations with former allies, extended military service, and increased risk of Chinese fighter jets breaching Taiwan’s airspace. The three presidential contenders, including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je, discuss U.S.-Taiwan relations and their stance on President Tsai’s policy. Hou questions DPP’s handling of tainted politics during their time in power and highlights his support for the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA). He also addresses concerns over cross-strait flight operations and employment difficulties for Chinese students in Taiwan. Hou pledges to follow the Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and maintain administrative neutrality without relying on any side.
2023/12/30 15:51
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Lai-Hsiao ticket narrowly leads in tight presidential race
A new poll by ETtoday reveals a tight race in the upcoming 2024 presidential election in Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party’s Lai-Hsiao ticket, consisting of Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, leads with 35.9% support, slightly ahead of the Kuomintang’s Hou-Jaw ticket, comprised of Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, at 34.7%. The Taiwan People’s Party’s Ko-Wu ticket, featuring Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, trails behind with 19.6% support. Despite the close percentages, 44.3% of the public expresses confidence in the Lai-Hsiao ticket’s ability to win, compared to 30.1% for Hou-Jaw and 13.8% for Ko-Wu. Conversely, 40.5% of voters are certain they will not vote for Lai-Hsiao, while 27.3% reject Hou-Jaw and 20.6% turn away from Ko-Wu. In terms of non-constituency legislators, the KMT leads with 35% support, followed by the DPP with 31.3% and the TPP at 14.5%. The poll highlights public concern over Taiwan’s economic ties with China, particularly due to recent trade restrictions viewed as trade barriers and the suspension of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) measures. Additionally, 47.1% of respondents worry that a Lai Ching-te presidency could worsen cross-strait economic and people-to-people exchanges, while 16.4% hold the same concern for Hou Yu-ih and 11.6% for Ko Wen-je. The poll, conducted from December 18 to 19, surveyed 1,224 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8%. Compared to the previous poll from December 14 to 15, support for the Lai-Hsiao ticket dropped by 2.6 percentage points, while the Hou-Jaw ticket saw a minor decline of 0.4 percentage points, and the Ko-Wu ticket remained unchanged. The number of undecided voters increased to 9.8%, indicating the undecided nature of the electorate ahead of the presidential vote.
2023/12/20 15:35
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Ko Wen-je rues failed KMT alliance, cites betrayal
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je expressed disappointment in the failure to establish an alliance with the Kuomintang (KMT), citing his medical background and trust in others as a disadvantage in politics. He believes that the mishandling of the breakup with the KMT has led to his declining support. Despite the acrimony, Ko hinted at potential future cooperation with Foxconn’s founder Terry Gou, acknowledging their maintained contact for policy collaboration. Ko praised Gou’s think tank on finance and economics for its excellent work, revealing that his team has consulted and adopted numerous economic policy suggestions from Gou’s proposals. The focus at this stage is on policy partnership, with paths toward collaborative governance remaining open between the two camps.
2023/12/07 16:58
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KMT, TPP leaders targeted in Taipei prosecutors’ probe
Former President Ma Ying-jeou’s office accuses Taipei District Prosecutor’s Office of contradicting President Tsai Ing-wen’s statement on noninterference in judiciary matters. The prosecutor’s office is investigating the Blue-White alliance, a collaboration between political parties, as an illicit "partition of interests." Defendants under investigation include Eric Chu, Chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, the KMT’s presidential candidate, and Ko Wen-je, the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate. KMT spokesperson Yang Chih-yu criticizes the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for politicizing the judiciary and discrediting internationally common party cooperation models. Yang highlights previous instances of the DPP’s involvement in similar political arrangements, raising questions about a double standard.
2023/12/04 21:34
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Politician replaces Ko image with Jaw’s sketch on billboard
New Taipei City legislative candidate Yeh Yuan-chih commissioned a film poster illustrator to replace the image of Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko Wen-je on a joint campaign billboard. The move was made after the anticipated KMT-TPP coalition fell through and each candidate registered independently. The illustrator began transforming the "Hou-Ko billboard" early in the morning, replacing Ko’s likeness with that of KMT vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong. Supporters had called for Ko’s removal from the billboard due to the failed coalition. Due to time constraints, the decision was made to hand-draw Jaw’s portrait. Yeh expressed regret over the missed opportunity for cooperation but emphasized the KMT’s nomination of Jaw maintained political vigor. The billboard, popular for photographs, will initially feature a sketched outline of Jaw before a full illustration is rendered. This unconventional approach to updating campaign material has been well-received online, highlighting the use of creativity amidst political strategy shifts.
2023/11/25 14:33
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Lai Ching-te leads Taiwan election poll by narrow margin
The latest poll from the "Formosa" website reveals a close race in Taiwan’s presidential election, with Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leading by a slim margin of 31.4%, followed closely by Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) at 31.1%. Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) trails in third place with 25.2%, over 6 percentage points behind the front-runners. Former legislator Shen Fu-hsiung, speaking on TVBS Situation Room, analyzed the situation, highlighting that the close polling between Hou and Ko does not give Lai a significant advantage. However, he cautioned against calls for a collaboration between the KMT and TPP at this time. Shen further explained that in presidential system countries like Taiwan, cooperation talks are not typically pursued, unlike in parliamentary systems where post-election coalitions may form. With the widening gap in support between Hou and Ko, Shen urged political observers to abandon the idea of a pan-blue alliance. He also emphasized that if the KMT aims to surpass the DPP in the upcoming elections, they should focus on diminishing the TPP’s support and consolidating the pan-blue vote without relying on a formal alliance.
2023/11/25 14:04
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KMT’s Chu cites humiliation in failed TPP alliance talks
Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu and presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih expressed feeling humiliated by the lack of genuine cooperation with the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). Despite failed negotiations for an alliance, Hou and his vice-presidential running mate, Jaw Shaw-kong, registered as candidates with the Central Election Commission. Hou attempted to collaborate with TPP candidate Ko Wen-je, but Ko did not answer the call. Ko later apologized for criticizing a public meeting and expressed efforts to bridge cooperation between the KMT and TPP, but cited political philosophy differences. Hou reported that the KMT approached the TPP with sincerity but felt disrespected when former President Ma Ying-jeou was made to wait five hours. Despite challenges, Hou and his party maintained strong conviction and sincerity in cooperating with Ko, but a partnership could not be realized. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te suggested that the breakdown indicated that the alliance was more about partisan and power-sharing concerns rather than the interests of the nation and its people.
2023/11/25 10:57
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Hsiao Bi-khim prioritizes DPP support expansion
DPP vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim emphasized the importance of expanding support for the DPP’s platform rather than focusing on cooperation with opposition parties. Hsiao made these remarks at an event attended by international media, in response to inquiries about potential collaboration between the KMT and TPP camps. Hsiao also addressed fluctuating poll numbers in Taiwan and emphasized the need to expand the DPP’s support base. Reflecting on her work in Hualien, Hsiao highlighted the common ideals and values she shares with DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te. The Lai-Hsiao pairing sees the election as a battle to protect Taiwan’s democratic values, progress democracy, and strengthen the nation’s resilience. After the event, Hsiao is scheduled to engage with various groups to discuss new issues and draw on her international diplomacy experience.
2023/11/23 15:17
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Taichung Mayor urges swift KMT, TPP cooperation
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen expressed her support for a potential "Blue-White" coalition between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) if they can find consensus. With less than two weeks until election registration, the details of this coalition have yet to be finalized. Lu emphasized the urgency of finding a means of cooperation during this critical period. She stated that she is willing to help as long as both parties agree, without insisting on any particular approach. Lu also discussed the limitations of opinion polls in predicting election results, citing her own past election victories despite unfavorable poll numbers. These views were expressed while she was campaigning in Kaohsiung for legislative candidate Chung I-chung.
2023/11/13 12:12
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KMT, TPP begins inter-party cooperation talks
Eric Chu, chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT), and Ko Wen-je, chairman of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), will engage in inter-party cooperation negotiations on Monday. The discussions will center around forming a coalition government, maximizing legislative seats, and identifying the strongest opposition candidate for the presidency. The talks, initiated by the KMT and TPP, are aimed at Taiwan’s future and cross-strait peace, rather than serving the interests of the parties themselves.
2023/10/30 09:59
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Ko Wen-je agrees to party negotiations with KMT
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has agreed to engage in party negotiations with the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) in an effort to collaborate. This comes after KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih suggested that a democratic primary or public polls may not be sufficient and proposed party negotiations instead. Ko emphasized the importance of winning the election and stated that he sees no problem with party negotiations if Hou insists.
2023/10/26 14:58
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King Pu-tsung optimistic about smooth talks between KMT, TPP
King Pu-tsung expressed optimism for smooth talks between the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) in an upcoming meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to seek cooperation between the parties to remove the current Democratic Progressive Party from office in the upcoming election. King emphasized the importance of exchanging ideas and opinions to find shared values and political ideals.
2023/10/14 17:05