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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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Taiwan presidential race tightens: DPP slightly leads KMT
The latest survey results reveal a close presidential race in Taiwan, with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim leading with 35.9 percent support, followed closely by the Kuomintang (KMT) ticket of Hou Yu-ih for president and Jaw Shaw-kong for vice president with 34.7 percent. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je and running mate Cynthia Wu are in third place with 19.6 percent support. Notably, the TPP’s Ko-Wu ticket has garnered 26.3 percent support from centrist voters, surpassing both the KMT and DPP. While 44.3 percent of respondents believe the DPP candidates are likely to win the 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential elections, 30.1 percent support the KMT, and 13.8 percent favor the TPP candidates. However, the poll also highlights significant opposition, with 40.5 percent of respondents indicating they would not vote for the DPP ticket, followed by 27.3 percent against the KMT and 20.6 percent not favoring the TPP. The survey, sponsored by ETtoday, was conducted from December 18-19 and gathered a valid sample size of 1,224 Taiwanese adults over the age of 20 using mobile text notifications and closed internet questionnaires. The poll has an error margin of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.
2023/12/20 19:20
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TPP candidates challenge DPP stronghold with massive rally
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je and running mate Cynthia Wu held their first joint rally in Tainan, the stronghold of their opponent, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te. The rally drew over 10,000 people, challenging the DPP’s traditional voter base. Ko criticized the DPP’s inaction on illegal constructions, questioning Lai’s leadership. Wu, with a professional industry background, positioned herself as the only vice presidential candidate with such expertise.
2023/12/18 19:52
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KMT’s Jaw calls for Terry Gou’s return to party ranks
Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong publicly appeals for Foxconn founder Terry Gou to return to the party. Gou had initiated a signature campaign for opposition consolidation, but did not register for the 2024 election. Jaw hopes Gou will reconsider and come back to the KMT, emphasizing the party’s need for his support. Gou, who had planned to run as an independent candidate with actress Lai Pei-hsia as his running mate, withdrew from the election before the registration deadline on Nov. 24.
2023/12/18 11:54
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Wang Jin-pyng seeks unity in KMT, urges Gou’s return
Former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, in an effort to strengthen support within the Kuomintang (KMT), highlighted the importance of unity and expressed his desire for the return of Foxconn Founder Terry Gou to the party. Wang also announced his commitment to serve as the national campaign chairman for KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih. These statements were made during a luncheon held in Taipei to gather resources from the pro-Gou faction in support of Hou and his running mate. Former KMT Vice Chairman Hau Lung-bin and former party Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung were also present, showing their support for Wang’s initiative. Wang emphasized that KMT chairpersons are now more united than ever, with all past grievances resolved.
2023/12/12 17:01
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Hou Yi-ih rallies 50,000 in Hualien with Ma Ying-jeou
Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yi-ih and his running mate Chao Shao-kang held a rally in Hualien, drawing a crowd of thousands. Former President Ma Ying-jeou also made an appearance. The event, organized by KMT Legislator Fu Kun-chi, saw around 50,000 participants. Hou emphasized his plans to improve local infrastructure and criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim for opposing the island-wide rapid broadband project. KMT Chairman Eric Chu praised the unity displayed in Hualien. The collaboration between Fu and Ma at the rally signifies a reconciled front leading up to the election.
2023/12/11 20:59
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DPP’s Hsiao Bi-khim affirms unwavering R.O.C. citizenship
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim has clarified that she has never renounced her Republic of China (R.O.C., Taiwan) citizenship, addressing speculations about her nationality status. While she once held U.S. citizenship due to her American mother, she renounced it in 2002 and has documentation to prove it. Hsiao, who has served multiple terms as a legislator, believes that her background has been thoroughly vetted. The discussion about her nationality arose from her time working in the Presidential Office in 2000, where confusion arose due to differing regulations under the Nationality Act and the Household Registration Act. Hsiao emphasized the importance of having a household registration in Taiwan, as it affects immigration, employment, and treatment. However, she assured the public that on the day she assumed her position as an "overseas compatriot legislator," she obtained her R.O.C. identification card. Hsiao expressed confidence in her and her presidential running mate Lai Ching-te’s candidature, stating that everything has been meticulously checked, instilling great confidence as they head into the election.
2023/12/04 14:29
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TPP alleges KMT made lavish VP offer to Ko Wen-je
The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) spokesperson, Tai Yu-wen, revealed that the person who allegedly offered TPP’s Ko Wen-je US$200 million to be a vice-presidential running mate was introduced through an intermediary and had a name, calling cards, and communication records. The offer is believed to be affiliated with the Kuomintang (KMT). Tai accused the KMT of employing insincere tactics, including making lucrative offers and public coercion, while negotiating to unite opposition parties. Despite these events, the TPP is now focusing on proposing policies, setting goals, and seeking voter approval to establish a third path in Taiwanese politics.
2023/11/29 21:34
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DPP’s Lai-Hsiao face uphill battle for voter support
The Taiwan Public Opinion Research Center (TPOC) has observed interesting trends in public interest in Taiwan’s presidential candidates and their running mates. Using data from the QuickseeK sentiment analysis database, TPOC found that the announcement of Hsiao Bi-khim as the running mate of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te generated significant online buzz, with approximately 45,000 mentions. However, this enthusiasm declined to 27,000 mentions within a week. In comparison, the pairing of Hou-Kang with Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih saw a surge in online engagement, reaching 131,000 mentions after the announcement of Jaw Shaw-kong as the vice-presidential choice. The Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidates Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, known as the "Ko-Wu" team, outperformed the others, with over 140,000 mentions following Wu’s nomination and an average of 97,000 mentions since her candidacy was declared. The increase in mentions after Hou’s announcement was 259%, while Lai’s announcement saw a 90% increase. However, discussions among supporters of Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim mainly focused on Lai’s slogan and welcoming Hsiao back to her political ’home,’ failing to attract significant support from the middle ground and young voter segments.
2023/11/29 14:19
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Taiwan’s healthcare outweighs U.S. citizenship: Commentator
Taipei City Hospital’s Chiang Kuan-yu commented on Lai Pei-hsia’s decision to give up her U.S. citizenship, stating that Taiwan’s lighter healthcare and tax burdens outweigh the benefits of U.S. citizenship. Lai, an entertainer, relinquished her U.S. citizenship in order to qualify as the running mate for Foxconn founder Terry Gou in Taiwan’s vice-presidential election. However, the Gou-Lai ticket failed to register for the race, leading many online users in Taiwan to describe Lai as the biggest loser in the electoral contest. Chiang highlighted that many elderly Americans choose to return to Taiwan for superior elderly care and more familial support, as incapacitated seniors in the U.S. often do not survive beyond three years. He characterized Taiwan as "a paradise for the elderly, a promised land for retirement," promoting the country as an ideal place for a comfortable and supported aging experience. Chiang questioned the significance of retaining U.S. citizenship once one’s children are independent, suggesting that Lai may not have lost much by forfeiting her American nationality.
2023/11/26 18:29
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Lai Ching-te unveils vision for ’Made in Taiwan’ strength
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of kindness among Taiwanese people and his vision for Taiwan’s future during his speech at the inaugural meeting of his campaign headquarters in Taoyuan. The event was attended by prominent DPP figures, including President Tsai Ing-wen. Lai’s pairing with his vice-presidential running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, dubbed the "Virtue Team," has garnered attention online. Lai advocated for democracy over dictatorship and called for support of Taiwan’s international industry without relying too heavily on China. He outlined policies to boost industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green energy technology. Lai also criticized the "Blue-White Alliance" between the KMT and TPP as a merger focused on party interests and personal power. He emphasized the need for the DPP to secure a legislative majority to smoothly implement these policies.
2023/11/26 17:51
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Hsiao confident in U.S. trust, backs Tsai’s policies
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim expresses confidence in the trust the U.S. places in President Tsai Ing-wen and assures that her running mate, presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, will continue Tsai’s diplomatic policies if elected. Hsiao addresses concerns about the perception of the "Lai-Hsiao ticket" as strongly pro-Taiwan independence, emphasizing the focus should be on actions rather than political labels. She believes Taiwan’s consensus is to maintain the status quo and desires sustainable and healthy exchanges with China. Hsiao describes herself as a "cat warrior" and emphasizes the need for diplomacy to strike a balance that maximizes Taiwan’s international support and participation. She expresses a desire to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping face-to-face, urging him to empathize with the aspirations of the Taiwanese people. Hsiao also mentions her intention to recommend Taiwan’s delicious agricultural products, such as Taiwanese mangoes, to Xi. This interview reaffirms the DPP’s commitment to Taiwan’s autonomy and the desire for friendly and reciprocal relations with neighboring countries, including China, based on compassion and mutual respect.
2023/11/26 13:54
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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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DPP’s Lai and Hsiao photo hailed online as ’virtue’ duo
The Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential nominee Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim are gaining attention online with a photograph of them at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The photo, which features the slogan "Vote for TAIWAN" and labels them as "Taiwan’s virtue," has received praise from online users. Lai and Hsiao were officially registered as the first confirmed presidential team for the 2024 elections after Hsiao was announced as Lai’s vice-presidential pick.
2023/11/22 12:42
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Lai Ching-te to name Hsiao Bi-khim as running mate
Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is set to announce Hsiao Bi-khim as his vice-presidential running mate. The announcement, slated for November 20, follows DPP’s unveiling of its legislator-at-large list and precedes the Central Election Commission’s candidate registration period. Amidst these developments, Hsiao attends the APEC summit in San Francisco, focusing on the summit’s successful conclusion.
2023/11/16 12:13
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DPP Lai rumored to team up with representative to the U.S.
Speculations of a planned alliance within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the 2024 presidential election are increasing. Rumors suggest that DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te may team up with Taiwan’s representative to the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, as a potential matchup against non-ruling parties. These rumors gained traction after it was discovered that renovation work was being done on a conference room in the DPP central committee’s building, allegedly to accommodate Hsiao’s campaign needs as Lai’s rumored running mate. Further speculations arose that Hung Yao-fu, a prominent figure in mobilizing young social activists and appointees for the DPP’s past electoral successes, may return to Taiwan to assist Hsiao’s campaign. However, a seasoned party staffer dismissed these rumors, stating that the running mate’s campaign strategy would be dependent on the presidential candidate. The candidate’s team for the vice presidency is mainly responsible for routine administrative work. Hsu Chia-hua, a former director of Hsiao’s legislative office, is also considered among the potential campaign members for Lai’s running mate, despite currently being abroad.
2023/11/14 20:39
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Hsiao Bi-khim misses overseas event amid election rumors
Representative Hsiao Bi-khim missed an overseas community event in the United States due to poor health and rumors have circulated that she may return to Taiwan for a possible election campaign. Hsiao was scheduled to attend a Thanksgiving dinner with AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger but cited discomfort from a recent COVID-19 vaccine booster. Speculation has arisen that Hsiao may become Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s running mate in the 2024 presidential election. Lai has remained tight-lipped about the vice presidential candidate, stating that the consideration is almost complete and an announcement will be made at the appropriate time. The presidential election registration in Taiwan is scheduled from November 20 to 24.
2023/11/12 16:44
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Taiwan’s opposition parties face deadlock in Blue-White Pact
The "Blue-White Pact," a joint ticket between the opposition parties Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), has become a topic of public discussion in Taipei. Tensions arose when it was revealed that both parties were dissatisfied with the methods used to select their presidential candidates. In response to public scrutiny, TPP candidate Ko Wen-je released a campaign video featuring a potential running mate. The video depicted Huang Shan-shan, secretary general of Ko’s campaign headquarters, as the TPP candidate for vice presidency. KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih’s running mate was identified as Ko Chih-en, CEO of a KMT think tank. The campaign video criticized the ruling parties for their failure to improve living conditions in Taiwan, leading to mixed reactions online. Former KMT lawmaker Alex Tsai emphasized that the pairing of Ko and Hou is crucial for winning the presidential election.
2023/11/10 22:37
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Lai Ching-te expected to announce running mate after Nov. 15
Get the latest updates on the possibility of Hsiao Bi-khim joining Lai Ching-te’s campaign as his running mate. Speculation grows amid the DPP’s efforts to finalize its legislator-at-large candidate list.
2023/11/03 17:29
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Hsiao Bi-khim considered top running mate for DPP’s Lai
DPP legislator Kuo Kuo-wen suggests that Representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-khim’s high societal recognition is a key factor in her being considered as a potential running mate for DPP presidential hopeful Lai Ching-te. Lai himself has mentioned that he has multiple candidates in mind for the vice-presidential position, with six individuals recommended by different sectors. While Lai did not explicitly confirm Hsiao as the top candidate, he did imply it.
2023/11/02 20:31
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Race against time: VP hopeful Lai faces citizenship dilemma
The issue of vice presidential candidate Lai Pei-hsia’s dual nationality has captured the nation’s attention immediately following Foxconn Founder Terry Gou’s announcement of his running mate.
2023/09/15 17:59
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’Wave Makers’ actress accepts Gou’s invite as running mate
Taiwanese actress Lai Pei-hsia, known for her role in ’Wave Makers,’ is teaming up with independent presidential candidate Terry Gou for the 2024 election. Learn more about this surprising political partnership and Lai’s qualifications.
2023/09/14 15:33
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Terry Gou remains silent on top choices for running mate
Business tycoon and presidential hopeful Terry Gou remained silent on Wednesday (Sept. 13) when asked by the media regarding speculation about his choice for running mate in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. However, he promised to make the announcement sometime on Sept. 13 or Sept. 14.
2023/09/13 11:22