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DPP to nominate current speakers for legislative posts
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) plans to nominate Legislative President You Si-kun and Vice President Tsai Chi-chang for the upcoming inauguration of the legislature. President-elect Lai Ching-te intends to meet with the vice presidential nominee to seek out the opinion of other political parties’ legislative caucuses. In response, the Kuomintang (KMT) nominated legislator-elect Han Kuo-yu and legislator Johnny Chiang. Han and Chiang have already visited the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) for closed-door meetings and subsequent media interviews. The TPP Caucus respects the candidates’ wishes and is open to future meetings with the DPP nominees.
2024/01/29 11:02
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Taiwan’s CEC battles misinformation on TikTok
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has filed 105 complaints with TikTok regarding false or misleading election-related content, with 10 made before the election and 95 following it. As of now, 54 of the posts have been taken down, and the cases are ongoing. TikTok has been circulating a substantial amount of inaccurate or untruthful audio-visual information related to the election. The CEC Vice Chairman, Chen Chao-chien, explained that candidates have the right to request the removal of deepfake videos under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act, as well as the Public Officials Election and Recall Act. Online social platforms have also established contact channels with the CEC to prevent false or misleading election-related content, in line with their community principles and for the sake of fair elections. The CEC has declined to comment or respond on specific online platforms on a case-by-case basis.
2024/01/22 18:37
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KMT emphasizes peace, economy, and defense in election plan
Taiwan’s KMT presidential and vice presidential candidates outline their election strategy, emphasizing peace, communication, and economic resilience, just days before the general elections.
2024/01/11 19:13
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Jaw Shaw-kong urges China for peace ahead of elections
Kuomintang (KMT) vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong has called on China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to demonstrate goodwill ahead of Taiwan’s elections. He urged them to refrain from sending military aircraft across the median line of the Taiwan Strait, advocating for peace in the region. Jaw’s plea comes after a Newsweek report revealed that 1,709 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone in 2023, representing a 76% increase from the previous year. Although the number decreased to 80 in December, military aircraft continued to intrude in 2024. Jaw specifically named the TAO in his message, asking them to relay it to the PLA. The persistent disruptions by China with military aircraft, ships, and floating balloons have heightened tensions as Taiwan’s final presidential election of 2024 approaches, affecting both the electorate and candidates and reflecting the complex dynamics of cross-strait relations and the election.
2024/01/07 15:59
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KMT rallies in Taoyuan, urges strategic voting against TPP
KMT presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Hou Yu-íh and Jaw Shaw-kong, held a ’Victory Solidarity Rally’ in Taoyuan, urging voters to reject TPP candidate Ko Wen-je for strategic voting. The event drew nearly 100,000 attendees. Former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu criticized Ko as an ’air gun’ and emphasized the importance of victory. Han also condemned DPP candidates Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, claiming Lai had no qualification to run for the R.O.C.’s presidency. Han questioned how Lai, a miner’s child, could become Vice President without the protection of the ROC.
2024/01/07 11:31
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Ko Wen-je slams KMT for shady tactics in Taiwan elections
Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je criticizes the Kuomintang (KMT) for engaging in power politics and diverting attention from their own shortcomings. Ko questions the credibility of KMT’s vice-presidential candidate, Jaw Shaw-kong, who expressed intentions to discuss potential premier candidates with Ko and Foxconn founder Terry Gou if elected. Ko believes Jaw’s remarks disqualify him as a competent candidate.
2024/01/04 15:12
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Lai Ching-te kicks off campaign with 15K rally in Tucheng
Lai Ching-te, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, held his first nation-wide campaign rally in Tucheng, New Taipei, drawing a crowd of 15,000. Lai urged support for himself and the DPP in the upcoming election, warning of the potential consequences if the DPP fails to secure a majority in the legislature. Tucheng, a stronghold for KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih, enthusiastically hosted the rally where Lai and incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen expressed gratitude for public support. Lai emphasized that the candidate with the most votes, not the highest approval rating, ultimately wins an election. Vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim pledged to boost Taiwan’s global standing. Lai called for voter support for DPP’s legislative candidates in New Taipei and criticized the KMT, while President Tsai affirmed the DPP’s commitment to the right path.
2024/01/04 14:37
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CEC imposes ban on poll data discussion ahead of elections
The Central Election Commission in Taiwan announces a comprehensive ban on publicizing, discussing, or referring to poll data in the lead-up to the General Election, aiming to ensure fairness and impartiality in the electoral process.
2024/01/03 19:35
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DPP candidate Lai Ching-te rallies voters in Taipei
DPP candidate Lai Ching-te campaigned at a traffic intersection in Taipei, echoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s previous bid in the same location. The DPP has launched a nationwide campaign to solicit votes at over 1,000 intersections across Taiwan. Lai has called on citizens to vote for the DPP at 22 municipalities and 817 traffic intersections. He emphasized the importance of having a majority in the legislative yuan to ensure the smooth advancement of Taiwan. Lai and his vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim are positioned as candidates who can continue Tsai Ing-wen’s political course and guide Taiwan forward.
2024/01/03 14:21
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Tsai Ing-wen passes the baton in symbolic campaign ad
The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) campaign office released a campaign video titled "Together, On the Road," featuring President Tsai Ing-wen passing the reigns to presidential and vice-presidential candidates Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim. Directed by Lo Ging-zim, the video utilizes advanced virtual studio technology to depict Tsai and Lai driving through Taiwan’s streets and alleys. Symbolically, Tsai hands over the car keys to Lai, signifying the transition of power, while Hsiao Bi-khim joins them in the passenger seat, representing their shared commitment to Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. All three individuals have been members of the DPP’s administrative team during their eight years in power, holding various posts and working tirelessly for Taiwan’s advancement.
2024/01/03 11:00
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Cynthia Wu dismisses challenges in debate performance
Taipei’s 2024 vice presidential debate concluded with Taiwan’s People Party (TPP) candidate Cynthia Wu claiming that she successfully addressed all topics discussed during the heated exchange. However, Wu expressed feeling overlooked by her opponents, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Hsiao Bi-khim and Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Jaw Shaw-kong, as Jaw did not include her in two of his inquiries. Despite receiving a 7 percent rating for her performance, Wu dismissed it and criticized her fellow candidates for not adequately addressing her repeated questions on pension issues. She emphasized the TPP’s commitment to realistic and practical national policies, urging the public to impartially assess their achievable initiatives.
2024/01/02 16:22
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VP hopefuls play key roles in Taiwan’s upcoming election
Discover how Taiwan’s vice presidential candidates, including Hsiao Bi-khim and Jaw Shaw-kong, are making unprecedented waves in the current elections. Explore their influence on Taiwanese politics and the potential shift in the presidential race.
2024/01/02 16:05
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DPP’s Lai-Hsiao lead KMT rivals in latest Taiwan polls
The United Daily News pre-closure poll shows that Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, maintain a 5-percentage-point lead over their Kuomintang (KMT) rivals, Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong. The Lai-Hsiao ticket received 32% support, while the Hou-Jaw ticket received 27%, a decrease of four percentage points from previous polls. Ko Wen-je and Cynthia Wu, the Taiwan People’s Party’s (TPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, trailed with 21% support. Among different age groups, the Ko-Wu ticket led among voters aged 20 to 39 with a 42% support rate. Among 40-59 year-olds, the Hou-Jaw ticket led by 1%, and among voters over 60, the Hou-Jaw ticket polled at 37%, while the Lai-Hsiao ticket polled at 35%. The survey was conducted from Dec. 26-30, 2023, with a sample size of 1,215 adults. The sampling error is within plus or minus 2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The survey used a dual telephone register for random sampling, including landline and mobile phones, with weighting by gender, age, and population structure. The funding for the survey came from United Daily News.
2024/01/02 15:45
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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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DPP’s Hsiao returns to hometown, vows to serve Taiwan
DPP vice-presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim returned to her hometown, Changhua County’s Hemei Township, and expressed her commitment to contribute to Taiwan. She met her relatives from the Xiao clan and was warmly welcomed by the locals. Hsiao’s father also hailed from Hemei Township and returned to Taiwan after obtaining his doctorate to serve the country. Hsiao feels a strong connection to the local people and sees it as her destiny to serve Taiwan. Her mission is to strengthen the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the United States. Hsiao thanked the Xiao clan for their unwavering support and encouraged locals to support DPP legislative candidates. She expressed confidence in the DPP’s ability to secure the Taiwanese vote and promised to do more for Taiwan after the election.
2023/12/26 14:05
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KMT calls for pre-Christmas rally against DPP government
The Kuomintang (KMT) has called for a public rally in front of Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building on Saturday night, urging citizens to voice their dissatisfaction with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government. This is the KMT’s first large-scale rally organized by the central committee. The KMT Secretary-General, Justin Huang, expressed the intention to rally constituents against corruption and dual-standard governance, striving for Taiwan’s national security, social justice, and economic prosperity. Huang hopes this rally will bring down the incompetent government and emphasized the KMT’s commitment to a final election victory. Among the three sets of presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Huang highlighted the "Hou-Jaw ticket" as the nation’s best option for peace.
2023/12/21 17:23
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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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Tsai backs Lai-Hsiao duo for Taiwan’s steady future
President Tsai Ing-wen emphasizes the need for a stable government in the face of future challenges in Taiwan. She expresses her hopes to entrust the nation to reliable individuals during her visit to Hsien Heng Temple. Tsai highlights the experience and comprehensive backgrounds of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim. Reflecting on her own tenure, Tsai acknowledges the public support that has strengthened Taiwan’s economy. She discusses global events such as the pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia war, and Taiwan’s drought, noting Taiwan’s resilience and growing international support. Tsai emphasizes the importance of maintaining a parliamentary majority and urges the public to support the Lai-Hsiao ticket and cast their party votes for the DPP for a brighter future for Taiwan.
2023/12/20 18:43
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Jaw Shaw-kong slams Lai Ching-te over Wanli housing issues
KMT vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong criticizes DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te’s family house in Wanli District, questioning its legality and the presence of military police. Jaw also accuses Lai of neglecting housing issues in mining areas and highlights the DPP’s disregard for non-urban planned lands. The controversy surrounding the Wanli property reflects the intense scrutiny candidates face over personal and family matters during elections.
2023/12/20 18:41
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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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’Lai-Hsiao’ tied with ’Hou-Jaw’ in latest Taiwan polls
The latest poll released by United Daily News shows a neck-and-neck race unfolding in Taiwan’s upcoming 2024 presidential election. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidates, Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim, known as "Lai-Hsiao," have a support rate of 31%, matching the popularity of the Kuomintang (KMT) duo Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, dubbed "Hou-Jaw," who also have a 31% approval rating. Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je and his vice-presidential partner, Cynthia Wu, referred to as "Ko-Wu," currently stand at 21% in the polls. In terms of in-party support, "Lai-Hsiao" leads with an 86% approval rate among DPP supporters, "Hou-Jaw" has an 83% approval from KMT adherents, and "Ko-Wu" secured an 85% backing from TPP followers. Among neutral voters, "Hou-Jaw" leads with 25%, followed by "Ko-Wu" at 23%, and "Lai-Hsiao" at 19%. However, 45% of all polled voters believe "Lai-Hsiao" are most likely to win the election, compared to 23% for "Hou-Jaw" and 13% for "Ko-Wu," with 19% feeling the outcome is too close to call. The survey also indicates a collective yearning among 48% of respondents for political change, with 31% expressing a strong desire to see the DPP unseated. The poll, conducted from Dec. 13 to Dec. 17, involved 1,250 adult respondents with an additional 368 refusals. The methodology employed dual-frame sampling of both landline and mobile phones, accounting for mobile-only households, and the results were weighted according to age, gender, and population distribution across various municipalities for those aged over 20. The survey has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
2023/12/19 10:07
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Tsai endorses DPP duo Lai and Hsiao for Taiwan’s stability
President Tsai Ing-wen endorses DPP presidential and vice presidential candidates Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim as implementers of her diplomatic and defense policy, known as the "Tsai Ing-wen approach," emphasizing stability, robustness, and trustworthiness. During a campaign event in Hsinchu County, Tsai also supports DPP Legislative Yuan candidates Chan Chi-ti and Tseng Sheng-kai, while hinting at a potential return to teaching after her presidency. Tsai highlights past projects in Hsinchu, such as the NT$2.9 billion investment in a pipeline connecting Shihmen Reservoir to Hsinchu, ensuring the high-tech industry’s resilience during droughts. She played a key role in the infrastructure upgrades, including the groundbreaking ceremony for the pipeline project. Despite opposition obstruction, the "Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program," with a budget of NT$840 billion, was passed with DPP’s majority support. The Executive Yuan is expected to approve over NT$100 billion in funding for infrastructure projects, including extending the Wugu-Yangmei Elevated Road to Hsinchu and Toufen, and creating underground railways in Taoyuan. Tsai emphasizes the need for a parliamentary majority and urges public support for DPP’s legislative nominees.
2023/12/19 10:04
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KMT Chairman Chu eyes majority in 2024 legislative race
KMT chairman Eric Chu expresses optimism about the upcoming legislative elections and suggests that the KMT could potentially secure a majority if things go smoothly. He is joined by legislators-at-large candidates Ko Chih-en and Hsieh Lung-chieh, as they declare their commitment to victory in the 2024 elections. The KMT acknowledges that about 15 electoral districts are currently in tight races and plans to mobilize a strong team including former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu, presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, vice-presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, and Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen to bolster support in these critical areas. Chairman Chu expresses confidence in the quality of the KMT’s legislative nominees and emphasizes the party’s careful and cautious approach to the election battle. With high-profile party members rallying to support candidates nationwide, the KMT is gearing up for a significant push ahead of the 2024 legislative elections.
2023/12/18 21:25
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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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Analyst: Jaw’s candid style wins over Taiwan’s youth
Former legislator Julian Kuo discusses the appeal of Kuomintang (KMT) vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong among young voters. Kuo highlights Jaw’s straightforward and outspoken manner, which resonates with Taiwan’s younger generation. Jaw’s recent interaction with students at National Chengchi University (NCCU) has sparked discussions and showcased his outreach to younger demographics. This comes as electoral candidates strive to secure young voter support, and Jaw has surprisingly gained attention from the 20-40 age group, which has not traditionally been a core supporter base for KMT candidates. Polls indicate that the 73-year-old Jaw has had a favorable impact on this younger voter segment, causing bemusement among the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
2023/12/18 19:46