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MOFA counters criticism on Taiwan’s stalled FTAs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has stated that Beijing is working to isolate Taiwan globally in response to criticisms made by Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih regarding Taiwan’s stagnant free trade agreements (FTA). During a presidential policy presentation, Hou criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its unsatisfactory economic performance and the lack of progress in bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. MOFA emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to global economic integration and bilateral economic cooperation, but highlighted the interference from China. MOFA believes that Taiwan’s ability to participate effectively in economic integration depends on its strength and global connections, especially as countries like the U.S. and European nations reassess their economic risks with China. MOFA urges all Taiwanese, regardless of political affiliation, to unite and enhance cooperation with like-minded nations in the face of external challenges.
2023/12/30 17:19
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KMT’s Jaw reasserts anti-communist stance amid criticism
Jaw Shaw-kong, the vice presidential candidate for the Kuomintang (KMT) party, reaffirmed his party’s anti-communist stance in response to criticism from Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Jaw highlighted his past support for the Tiananmen Square protests and the Hong Kong democracy movement to counter Lai’s accusations. During a policy presentation event, the presidential candidates from the KMT, DPP, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) debated their platforms, with Lai accusing the KMT of leaning towards communism. Jaw refuted this claim, emphasizing his party’s opposition to communism. He emphasized that Taiwan’s defensive strength lies in its democratic system rather than military might. If elected, Jaw and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih would not push for reunification negotiations with China, as the current conditions do not meet the prerequisites for such discussions. Instead, Jaw expressed a focus on creating a future where both sides of the Taiwan Strait can develop independently under their respective systems.
2023/12/27 09:40
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Lai Ching-te warns of KMT’s threat to Taiwan’s democracy
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te accuses the Kuomintang (KMT) of endangering society in three ways in his second televised policy presentation. Lai highlights the KMT’s adherence to the One-China policy, corruption, and ruthless tactics to seize power as the three harms inflicted upon society. He expresses concern that electing political neophyte Hou Yu-ih, representing the KMT, would indirectly support the revival of former president Ma Ying-jeou’s regime and those who support One-China, leading to the rise of a "Corruption Dynasty" that could significantly harm Taiwan’s national development. Lai also criticizes the KMT for bribery, pointing out the numerous confirmed bribery cases under judicial ruling. He further accuses the KMT of creating fake news, distorting facts, and attacking opponents and the government to win elections. Lai also criticizes the KMT for leveraging foreign power, particularly from China, to support a pro-China regime, mentioning China’s regular attempts to meddle in Taiwan’s elections.
2023/12/26 22:26
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Lai Ching-te slams KMT rival over ’housing disinformation’
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te criticizes Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih for spreading disinformation about social housing developments. Lai responds to accusations made during the second Central Election Committee (CEC) policy presentation by stating that his administration had plans for over 200 social housing units, currently under construction in Tainan. Lai also highlights his establishment of the National Housing and Urban Regeneration Center (HURC) during his time as Premier, which has aided in social housing development. He credits President Tsai Ing-wen for surpassing local governments in the construction of social housing, thanks to the HURC’s establishment.
2023/12/26 20:14
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Hou Yu-ih slams DPP over sexual harassment cases
Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over recent sexual harassment cases in the party. Hou highlights the lack of response from the DPP’s Department of Gender Equality to these incidents. He challenges Lai Ching-te, asking if he believes this is a virtue. Hou pledges to rigorously address sexual harassment and maintain high moral standards among officials. His zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and sex scandals sets the tone for his campaign. In the third round of the television policy presentation, Hou focuses on gender issues, proposing policies to increase women’s representation in governance, improve maternal and child health care, and alleviate family care pressure. These proposals demonstrate his commitment to gender equality and addressing women’s challenges in Taiwan.
2023/12/26 18:48
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KMT’s Hou vows strict sexual harassment prevention measures
Presidential candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, pledges to enforce strict sexual harassment prevention measures and demands "zero tolerance" on financial and sexual misconduct among officials if elected. He criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for recent sexual scandals, mocking them as the "Peach Blossom Party." Hou also emphasizes plans to empower women and reduce the burden of home care, proposing to increase the proportion of women in government and corporate decision-making to at least 30%. He highlights the need for expanded healthcare for women and children. In contrast, he points out that during DPP candidate Lai Ching-te’s tenure as Premier, women constituted only 20% of cabinet members, while former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s "minority cabinet" had only a quarter of women. The 2024 presidential election will feature Hou, Lai, and Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) Ko, each having their policy presentation meetings. Each candidate had three turns to address their policies, with each speaking opportunity lasting for 10 minutes.
2023/12/26 17:32
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KMT’s Hou Yu-ih questions DPP’s energy policies
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih raises questions about Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te’s energy policy during a policy presentation. Hou specifically probes Lai’s stance on the "nuclear-free homeland" policy and his attitude toward nuclear power generation. Hou questions Lai’s viewpoints, suggesting that if Lai believes "nuclear units cannot be stopped," it implies Taiwan’s nuclear power plants may need to extend their lifespan. Hou also criticizes Lai’s "clean coal" concept and its potential impact on the prevalence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Taiwan. Furthermore, Hou criticizes the DPP’s goal of "net-zero carbon emissions," arguing that even the announced 2030 target of reducing carbon emissions by 24% to 25% is unattainable and out of step with global trends.
2023/12/26 17:24
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TPP’s Ko advocates for extended employment age
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has proposed the ’Strong Generation’ program, which aims to encourage able-bodied individuals to remain employed and dispel rumors about preventing seniors from retiring. During the Central Election Committee Policy Presentation, Ko elaborated on his initiative, emphasizing the need for reform in the current employment and worker insurance system, which only extends to age 65. He advocates for the elimination of negative stereotypes against the elderly and plans to establish a national research center focused on creating an industrial chain tailored to the needs of the elderly population. Ko’s proposals address Taiwan’s aging population and low birth rate, aiming to shift societal perceptions and create a conducive environment for young people to have children while ensuring seniors can live a more vibrant ’Strong Generation’ life.
2023/12/26 17:00
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Verbal gaffes continue for KMT’s VP candidate Jaw Shaw-kong
During a campaign event in New Taipei City, Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong mistakenly referred to the election day on Jan. 13 as ’Jan. 15.’ He quickly corrected himself, stating that they would be a president-elect on Jan. 15 next year, which received enthusiastic applause from supporters. This is not the first verbal gaffe from Jaw, as he has made other slips of the tongue recently. He called out the rival Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te instead of his own party’s presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih during a policy presentation by the Central Election Committee (CEC). Furthermore, he referred to former KMT chairman Johnny Chiang as a ’terrorist of peace for Taiwan’ instead of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te during a campaign event in Taichung. Jaw also criticized the DPP’s governance record over the last eight years, arguing that their belief in a change of personnel and party now resonated with the DPP itself.
2023/12/26 11:10
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Ko slams DPP for inaction despite claims of self-reflection
Taipei mayoral candidate Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for their lack of action despite claiming self-reflection during a morning canvassing walk. Ko’s comments were in response to remarks made by DPP vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim during a Central Election Committee (CEC) policy presentation. Hsiao had acknowledged that some DPP members had made errors and forgotten their original intentions, which the DPP government must bear. Ko clarified that while Hsiao suggested that the DPP is already implementing his policies, the crucial difference is that the DPP talks without acting, whereas the TPP takes action. Ko also evaluated his running mate Cynthia Wu’s performance, deeming her steady, and emphasized that the TPP is committed to serious policy discussions rather than treating presentations as mere call-in shows to fill time.
2023/12/23 11:06
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DPP’s Hsiao promises review amidst KMT’s corruption claims
Vice Presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vows to review and reflect on corruption allegations within the DPP government. This comes after her opponent, Kuomintang’s (KMT) Jaw Shaw-kong, accused the DPP of corruption during a policy presentation. Jaw raised concerns about the DPP obstructing Terry Gou’s acquisition of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines and questioned the increase in the market value of Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp. He advocated for the reinstatement of the Special Investigation Division to tackle corruption. Hsiao acknowledges mistakes within the party and emphasizes the need for self-review. She highlights the DPP’s commitment to reform and progressive policies, citing examples of marriage equality and energy transformation. Hsiao compares the government to a team in an international competition, emphasizing the importance of guidance and support for a unified nation.
2023/12/23 09:55
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TPP’s Wu touts legislative record ahead of VP debate
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) vice-presidential candidate Cynthia Wu highlights her legislative achievements during her 412-day tenure in the Legislative Yuan. She proposed 15 bills, hosted five public hearings, and three symposiums. Notable bills include amendments to the Central Bank Act, the Social Medical Development Act, and the Assisted Reproduction Act, reflecting her dedication to improving Taiwan’s financial stability, healthcare system, and reproductive health policies. Wu believes that her policy platform will be built upon these legislative proposals as she prepares for the upcoming televised policy presentation and debate. The vice-presidential TV policy presentation is scheduled for December 22, 2024, while the debate will take place on January 1, 2024, as the 2024 elections approach.
2023/12/20 18:10
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Taiwan gears up for first presidential policy forum
Taipei is gearing up for the first official televised presidential policy presentation forums ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Candidates from the Kuomintang (KMT), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) will have 30 minutes each to present their platforms in three rounds of 10 minutes. The forums, scheduled on December 20, 26, and 28, with an additional event for vice-presidential candidates on December 22, aim to provide a critical opportunity for the candidates to connect with voters and influence public opinion in the final weeks of the campaign. The presentations will be broadcast live on television and streamed on the Central Election Commission (CEC) website.
2023/12/20 16:16
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Taiwan’s CEC draws ballot numbers for presidential race
The Central Election Commission (CEC) held a draw to determine the candidate numbers for the ballots ahead of Taiwan’s presidential election. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)’s Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu drew number one, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s Lai Ching-teh and Hsiao Bi-khim will be number two. The Kuomintang (KMT) duo Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong secured the number three spot. The lottery drew numbers in the order that parties registered for the election: DPP, TPP, then KMT. The official list of presidential and vice-presidential candidates will be announced on Dec. 15. Several televised policy presentations, a vice-presidential debate, and a presidential debate are scheduled leading up to the election.
2023/12/11 17:12
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DPP’s supporters voice displeasure at Legislator Kao Chia-yu
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kao Chia-yu encountered vocal dissent from within her own party on Thursday (Jan. 12) during a policy presentation.
2023/01/13 18:49