KMT-TPP Alliance Faces Stalemate, Ko Mulls Separate Course |
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Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has reportedly reserved space on its party list for legislators-at-large. The move is seen as preparing for failed negotiations with the Kuomintang (KMT) and an elimination battle ahead.
(Photo from:
United Daily News) |
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Ko Flirts with Gou, Prepares for Elimination Battle Ahead
United Daily News, November 3, 2023
With the 2024 presidential and legislative elections approaching, a discreet meeting held on October 31 among three prominent figures in Taiwanese politics, namely Chairman Eric Chu of the Kuomintang (KMT), KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih, and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, lasted a lengthy 53 minutes but yielded no consensus.
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According to media commentary, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is inconsistent in criticizing the TPP's proposed inclusion of mainland Chinese spouse Xu Chunying on its legislative election party list.
(Photo from:
United Daily News) |
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DPP Blasts TPP for Considering Mainland Spouse for Party List
United Daily News Editorial, November 3, 2023
The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) is reportedly contemplating nominating Xu Chunying, a mainland Chinese spouse, on its party list for legislators-at-large. There are media reports which claim that Xu was part of the Chinese Communist Party cadre, which prompted the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to criticize her candidacy and express intentions to amend laws to prevent such situations. DPP Chairman and presidential candidate William Lai expressed his concern that this could threaten national security. Premier Chen Chien-jen also underscored the imperative of making national security the top priority in governmental personnel decisions. Chairman Chiu Tai-san of the Mainland Affairs Council indicated that if Xu were to assume the role of legislator, she would be required to renounce her mainland Chinese nationality in accordance with the “Nationality Act” and “Civil Servants Employment Act,” thereby demonstrating her loyalty to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
…read more
From: https://udn.com/news/story/7338/7548337
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DPP Chairman and presidential candidate William Lai has touted a platform for energy transformation. According to a commentator, however, its positions on green power and coal power are rife with problems and cannot withstand scrutiny.
(Photo from: The Storm Media) |
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An Examination of Lai's Energy Platform
By L. C. Chen
The Storm Media, November 3,2023
In October last year, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate William Lai announced his energy policy platform which has three key points: First, accelerate the development of "forward-looking energy" such as geothermal energy, biomass energy, ocean energy, and hydrogen energy. Second, continue the development of solar and wind power and significantly increase the share of renewable energy in the short term. And third, build 18 large gas turbine units. Mr. Lai has set a target for the power generation mix in 2030 as 30 percent green energy, 20 percent coal power, and 50 percent gas power.
…read more
From: https://www.storm.mg/article/4892991?mode=whole
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Terry Gou, founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Company (Foxconn), submitted 1.03 million signatures, far exceeding the threshold of 290,000 required to register as an independent presidential candidate.
(Photo from: Terry Gou's office) |
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October 30: The Taiwan People's Party (TPP) intends to include Xu Chunying, a mainland Chinese spouse, in its legislative election party list, triggering attacks from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). DPP presidential candidate William Lai criticized Hsu's potential entry into the Legislative Yuan, fearing a national security crisis. Premier Chen Chien-jen also responded that personnel should be considered with national security as the highest standard. Chairman Ko Wen-je of the TPP questioned why cannot people with Republic of China (Taiwan) national identity cards run for political office.
October 30: The Kuomintang (KMT) and TPP held a party consultative meeting and reached for consensuses. First, avoid democratic dictatorship where "one party takes all." Second, on cross-strait relations, restore peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait based on the R.O.C. Constitution and Act Governing Cross-Strait Relations. Third, under the current Constitution, the president should report on the national state of affairs to the Legislative Yuan; the premier should be confirmed by the support of a majority of the Legislative Yuan; and important ministers and cabinet-level officials should appear before the Legislative Yuan. Fourth, work together to maximize the number of legislative seats in the 2024 election.
October 31: During an interpellation at the Legislative Yuan, Premier Chen referred to nuclear power as "green energy," triggering speculation about whether policies to abolish nuclear power were being relaxed. However, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua stated the next day that nuclear power is not considered green energy, and Premier Chen was referring to "green financing." Spokesman Lin Tzu-lun of the Executive Yuan also reiterated that the official position to promote a "nuclear-free homeland" will not change. Former President Ma Ying-jeou questioned how a cabinet-level official could deny a statement by the premier, calling the administration's energy policy chaotic and outdated.
November 1: Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's sudden death has led to speculation that the risk of the mainland invading Taiwan may increase. Secretary-General Wellington Koo of the National Security Council stated in the Legislative Yuan that Communist China is currently prioritizing stability and focusing on domestic affairs. According to Koo, Beijing has no intention to seize Taiwan by military force in the short term.
November 1: The Executive Yuan passed the "Chip-Driven Taiwan Industrial Innovation Plan," which will invest NT$300 billion in the next decade (about US$9.3 billion). Through strategic arrangements across four major industries, the plan hopes to combine generative artificial intelligence (AI) and chips to drive innovative breakthroughs in the industry. The plan will promote advanced manufacturing processes in the industry with subsidies and programs to strengthen talent cultivation.
November 2: Terry Gou, founder of Hon Hai Precision Industry Company (Foxconn), has been obtaining signatures to become an official presidential candidate. His campaign submitted a total of 1.03 million signatures, far exceeding the legally mandated threshold of 290,000. However, there have been continued controversies over various signatures. The prosecution investigated 18 cases of suspected unlawful activity, such as exchanging money and goods for signatures or personal information. Among the detained is Fan Cheng-lien, a Central Standing Committee member of the KMT. The KMT has taken harsh disciplinary measures to penalize two Central Standing Committee members who helped Gou obtain signatures.
November 3: Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kuo-tsai stated that starting from March 1 next year, assembling group tours to mainland China and receiving mainland Chinese tour groups in Taiwan will be permitted, and the tourism industry can prepare in advance. The ban on travel agencies assembling tour groups to the mainland has lasted for more than three years. Since more than 90 percent of travel agencies in Taiwan operate in the mainland Chinese market, the ban has caused serious challenges.
November 3: With negotiations to formalize a KMT-TPP alliance reaching a stalemate, the KMT touted two new plans. The "Japanese model" proposes voting by KMT and TPP legislator candidates, in addition to a public opinion poll. The "German model" considers party support in addition to a public opinion poll. TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je responded by insisting on a nationwide poll and stated that he is willing to be the vice presidential candidate if he does not lead the polls by more than 3 percent.
According to the Ko campaign, Ko will take a photo with his running mate next week. It will continue to make necessary preparations for it is impossible to keep waiting for the KMT's answer.
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