[Tee tiong huat]

Ko in 'bad mood' after KMT deal for Taiwan presidential bid. TPP leader says not enthused with KMT deal but 'hates DPP even more'. After agreeing to terms with the (KMT) on joining forces in the presidential election with TPP. Chair & presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said that he is in a "bad mood" — but this is outweighed by his hatred for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Wednesday (Nov. 15), KMT  TPP said Ko and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) had come to an agreement on a six-point deal to determine which of them would run as the presidential candidate on a combined ticket, how to team up on legislative seats, and an outline for a coalition government if victorious.

However, one of the terms was that selection would not be based on the results of a new poll, but rather the results of existing opinion polls run from Nov. 7-17 and internal KMT and TPP polls, a scenario that appears to be unfavorable to Ko, reported ETtoday.

As he prepared to attend the NOWnews' "2024 Presidential Election Youth Forum," Ko was peppered by the media with questions such as, "Why did you negotiate for a compromise? and "Does it feel unfair?" However, he only briefly uttered "Oh!" followed by a faint smile, preferring to remain silent as he entered the event venue.

During the event, a student pointed out that in the past Ko had been quoted as saying, "The things I hate most in life are mosquitoes, cockroaches, and the Kuomintang."
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040590

[cheekopekman]

Ko in 'bad mood' after KMT deal for Taiwan presidential bid. TPP leader says not enthused with KMT deal but 'hates DPP even more'. After agreeing to terms with the (KMT) on joining forces in the presidential election with TPP. Chair & presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said that he is in a "bad mood" — but this is outweighed by his hatred for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Wednesday (Nov. 15), KMT  TPP said Ko and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) had come to an agreement on a six-point deal to determine which of them would run as the presidential candidate on a combined ticket, how to team up on legislative seats, and an outline for a coalition government if victorious.

However, one of the terms was that selection would not be based on the results of a new poll, but rather the results of existing opinion polls run from Nov. 7-17 and internal KMT and TPP polls, a scenario that appears to be unfavorable to Ko, reported ETtoday.

As he prepared to attend the NOWnews' "2024 Presidential Election Youth Forum," Ko was peppered by the media with questions such as, "Why did you negotiate for a compromise? and "Does it feel unfair?" However, he only briefly uttered "Oh!" followed by a faint smile, preferring to remain silent as he entered the event venue.

During the event, a student pointed out that in the past Ko had been quoted as saying, "The things I hate most in life are mosquitoes, cockroaches, and the Kuomintang."
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040590

Like that how to win leh?

[Tee tiong huat]

He merely bring his Presidential dream to a suicide by himself. Gou’s support has been slipping in recent months, hovering at around 7%-7.55%..He is A Good Funny Joker or a Crown...Gou's is Good Funny Joker & is a Crown... Not Surprised good as GONE.

Taiwan's opposition parties reach landmark agreement ahead of presidential election"Why suggest that he will be fixed?""

YES, yes - NO NEED, He is in 4th last place and with about oni 7-7.5% and he wanted to be A REAL LOSER. cryingso be it Clapping

[Tee tiong huat]

Vice President Lai Ching-te, ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has almost consistently led opinion polls, but now....is mean he is leaving no-1 post to 2-nd post candidates for main DPP and putting the 2 (two) opposition Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), Ko Wen-je, to battle it out for no-1 place.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Taiwan-...ial-ticket

[Tee tiong huat]

He merely bring his Presidential dream to a suicide by himself. Gou’s support has been slipping in recent months, hovering at around 7%-7.55%..He is A Good Funny Joker or a Crown...Gou's is Good Funny Joker & is a Crown... Not Surprised good as GONE.

Taiwan's opposition parties reach landmark agreement ahead of presidential election"Why suggest that he will be fixed?""

YES, yes - NO NEED, He is in 4th last place and with about oni 7-7.5% and he wanted to be A REAL LOSER. cryingso be it Clapping

Ko had been quoted as saying, "The things I hate most in life are mosquitoes, cockroaches, and the Kuomintang." The student then asked "Why are you cooperating with the Kuomintang today? Has the Kuomintang changed, or has Ko Wen-je changed?"

Ko responded by saying, "Let me tell you, I have the answer to this. I hate the Democratic Progressive Party even more!"
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040590

[maxsanic]

Ko had been quoted as saying, "The things I hate most in life are mosquitoes, cockroaches, and the Kuomintang." The student then asked "Why are you cooperating with the Kuomintang today? Has the Kuomintang changed, or has Ko Wen-je changed?"

Ko responded by saying, "Let me tell you, I have the answer to this. I hate the Democratic Progressive Party even more!"
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5040590

When I shared the remote possibility that DPP might be just as good or even better than KMT for China from a long term perspective, people sometimes find it hard to believe that the DPP might in the future turn blue / red.

They can take reference from Ko. This guy was supposed to be a "Dark Green" guy comparable to William before he decided he had better prospects as a white. If someone like this can end up working with KMT, the DPP can also collaborate with the CCP if conditions allow.

Politicians are politicians. As long as they can get more power and money, anything goes. There is no need to get emotionally invested in what they say.

[Tee tiong huat]

At a meeting overseen by former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), with Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) also present, KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) chair and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) reached an agreement to use opinion polling done between Nov. 7-17 to determine which will head a joint unity ticket. So far, which of them is ahead?

There are two answers to that. Either they are tied at two polls apiece, or Hou leads nine to two over Ko. The discrepancy is whether the Formosa tracking poll is counted as one poll being updated nearly daily, or it is counted as seven separate polls.

If this was not agreed on in advance, there could be strong disagreement between the two camps on Saturday when the results are expected to be released. Since September, most polls have shown Ko ahead.

Taiwan News Poll of Polls, Nov 15
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5041430

[Tee tiong huat]

Vice President Lai Ching-te, ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has almost consistently led opinion polls, but now....is mean he is leaving no-1 post to 2-nd post candidates for main DPP and putting the 2 (two) opposition Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), Ko Wen-je, to battle it out for no-1 place.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Taiwan-...ial-ticket

Also at the meeting were KMT chairman Eric Chu and former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou.
“No matter what – whoever is the lead and whoever is the deputy – everyone will work together,” Mr Hou told reporters after the meeting. Dr Ko described the agreement as a “historic momentt”.

Agreement comes a week or so before a Nov 24 registration deadline & the two parties had argued for weeks over which method would be best in determining whether Mr Hou or Dr Ko would lead a joint ticket. This eam-up would be the only way for the opposition – all seen as more mainland-friendly – to present a formidable challenge to the ruling independence leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

For months, Taiwan Vice-President William Lai Ching-te has maintained a commanding lead in opinion polls, with various polls pegging levels for DPP candidate at about 30% to 35% plus. Mr Hou, who is New Taipei mayor, N Dr Ko, TPP’s founder & chairman, are neck and neck on 2nd place, with each having around 20%. Mr Terry Gou trails in fourth place with 7% plus. 

‘A historic moment’: Taiwan’s opposition agrees to joint bid for presidential election
 
TAIPEI – Taiwan’s two main opposition parties have agreed to put up a joint ticket for the Jan 13 presidential election, in a move set to shake up a race that has far-reaching implications for the island’s future.

After weeks of stalled discussions, the more established Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) announced on Wednesday that they would team up and determine which party’s candidate would run for president, based on a review of opinion polls.

The result will be announced on Saturday morning, according to a joint statement released following a 2½-hour meeting between KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih and the TPP’s Dr Ko Wen-je.

Also at the meeting were KMT chairman Eric Chu and former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou.

Mr Terry Gou, trails in fourth place with about 7%

“A blue-white presidential ticket is a game changer,” political scientist Chen Shih-min said, referring to the opposition party colours, where the KMT is blue and the TPP, white.

“Mr Lai will certainly feel pressure in this election now,” added the National Taiwan University associate professor. He plans to run as an independent candidate along with actress Tammy Lai, who had played a successful.

[Tee tiong huat]

KMT chairman Eric Chu and former Ex-Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou.. “No matter what – whoever lead and whoever is the deputy – everyone will work together,” Mr Hou described agreement as “historic momentt”. A historic moment’: Taiwan’s opposition agrees to joint bid for presidential election.

Taiwan Vice-President William Lai Ching-te has maintained a commanding lead in opinion polls, with various polls pegging levels for DPP candidate at about 30% to 35% plus. Mr Hou, who is New Taipei mayor, N Dr Ko, TPP’s founder & chairman, are neck and neck on 2nd place, with each having around 20%. Mr Terry Gou trails in fourth place with 7% plus. Mr Lai and Gou, both will certainly feel pressure in this election now at nos-2 and Terry Gou at rth and last post....

[Tee tiong huat]

Mr Terry crying Gou trails in fourth place with 7% plus. Mr Lai and Gou, both will certainly feel pressure in this election now at nos-2 and Terry Gou at rth and last post....

Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) have been unable to agree on a presidential candidate due to disagreements over polling data.

Originally, tMa Ying-jeou Foundation was set to announce results on Saturday (Nov. 18) morning, revealing whether Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) or Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) from the Kuomintang (KMT) would lead the joint ticket.

This arrangement was reached on Wednesday, stipulating an analysis of public opinion polls conducted between Nov. 11-17 and assigning points to the candidates. However, Friday, an examination of the six polls revealed discrepancies in the margin error and survey methodologies. KMT claimed Hou received 5-points, while Ko received 1-point. The TPP, however, insisted it was a tie, per CNA. As a result two parties will engage in further consultations to resolve the disagreement. At an online press conference on Saturday, Ko clarified the KMT anticipated a concession of 6 percentage points from him, contrasting with the 3% he had suggested. A Technial Error

Both parties have decided on additional discussions until Friday (Nov. 24), the final day for candidate registration. Ko said that all possibilities remain open, including the potential inclusion of independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘), who support base of 7%? to 10%

If KMT, TPP fail to field Taiwan presidential candidate over poll results discrepancy. Polls used to determine a joint presidential candidate for the KMT and TPP.  As controversy has already arisen because of closed-door nature of the agreement. 

There are reports of discontent within the Ko camp regarding the extent of concessions made.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5042390

[Tee tiong huat]

KMT chairman Eric Chu and former Ex-Taiwan Ma Ying-jeou.. “No matter what – whoever lead and whoever is the deputy – everyone will work together,” Mr Hou described agreement as “historic momentt”. A historic moment’: Taiwan’s opposition agrees to joint bid for presidential election.

Taiwan Vice-President William Lai Ching-te has maintained a commanding lead in opinion polls, with various polls pegging levels for DPP candidate at about 30% to 35% plus. Mr Hou, who is New Taipei mayor, N Dr Ko, TPP’s founder & chairman, are neck and neck on 2nd place, with each having around 20%. Mr Terry Gou trails in fourth place with 7% plus. Mr Lai and Gou, both will certainly feel pressure in this election now at nos-2 and Terry Gou at rth and last post....

Both parties have decided on additional discussions until Friday (Nov. 24), the final day for candidate registration. Ko said that all possibilities remain open, (may including) potential inclusion independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘), who enjoys a support base of 7% to 10%. All of that weight was bearing down on Taiwanese politics this week, as rival political parties began to radically reposition themselves ahead of the nation’s presidential election in early January.

Not only was Beijing watching the events in Taiwan closely. Many informed observers of the island’s politics see Beijing’s heavy thumb on the scale.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affai...115-p5ek2u
Both is quarreling over Technial Error..
(  quarrelsome crying )

[Tee tiong huat]

Both parties have decided on additional discussions until Friday (Nov. 24), the final day for candidate registration. Ko said that all possibilities remain open, (may including) potential inclusion independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘), who enjoys a support base of 7% to 10%. All of that weight was bearing down on Taiwanese politics this week, as rival political parties began to radically reposition themselves ahead of the nation’s presidential election in early January.

Not only was Beijing watching the events in Taiwan closely. Many informed observers of the island’s politics see Beijing’s heavy thumb on the scale.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affai...115-p5ek2u
Both is quarreling over Technial Error..
(  quarrelsome crying )

Let’s call DPP the anti-China party.

Deep down, DPP leaders like Lai support an independent Taiwan, but they have learned not to say so in public, lest they give Beijing an excuse to launch military action.

Washington watches the DPP closely, and regularly reads it the riot act over its language. Although Washington is often blamed by Beijing for stirring up the Taiwan issue, American leaders have worked overtime to keep the DPP in check.

The opposition parties don’t openly support unification with China – that would be death at the ballot box in Taiwan.

The DPP is not popular these days. After two four-year terms, it suffers from the wear-and-tear factor of many longstanding governments. It has also been hurt by domestic factors, such as egg shortages.

More than 50 million eggs imported from Brazil were destroyed recently, allegedly because they were past their use-by date, but also to placate local farmers. (Eggs imported from Australia survived.) All of which was a reminder that Taiwan has local politics too.

The DPP’s biggest asset in the campaign so far has been the disarray among the three opposition candidates, who collectively represent what we can call the anti-anti-China parties.

Put another way, these opposition parties don’t openly support unification with China – that would be death at the ballot box in Taiwan – but they are against the DPP’s policies of keeping a maximum distance from Beijing.

The most prominent of the opposition parties is the Nationalists, which set up government in Taiwan as the Republic of China in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to the Communists.

Running closely alongside the Nationalists is the Taiwan People’s Party, whose candidate is the mercurial and unpredictable former Taipei mayor, Ko Wen-je.

The Nationalists, one of the oldest political parties in the world, ruled Taiwan for decades with an iron fist. It has fallen a long way in the last decade. For many of its older members, with their right-to-rule mentality, to be forced to negotiate with the TPP’s Ko is humiliating.

Enter Beijing, which has an overriding objective to stop its avowed enemy, the DPP, from getting another term in power.

This week, Beijing got its way, and the Nationalists and Ko’s TPP managed to cut a deal that many analysts in Taiwan had thought impossible. They put their sizeable egos aside and agreed to run a joint ticket.

There is much speculation about what pressure Beijing was able to bring to bear on Ko to park his ambitions and join forces with a Nationalist party he has long disdained.

Dark money flows? Personal blackmail of some kind? Thus far, none of the lurid rumours have been substantiated.

Foxconn founder is there is little doubt that deal was in large part brokered in China, through Ma Ying-jeou, former two-term president and National Party grandee who maintains close ties with ruling Communist Party in Beijing. China now has 3rd opposition candidate in sights, to try to force him out of the race and consolidate anti-DPP vote.
Terry Gou is billionaire founder of Foxconn, world’s largest contract manufacturer which makes most of the world’s iPhones and iPads at its factories in China, along with numerous other devices, such as Sony PlayStation consoles.

“If Chinese Communist Party regime were to say, ‘If you don’t listen to me, I’ll confiscate your assets from Foxconn’, I would say: ‘Yes, please do it!’ I cannot follow their orders, I won’t be threatened,” Gou said, when announcing his candidacy. China was listening & in October announced investigations into Foxconn subsidiaries in China. As of this week, Gou was still running. There is no certainty that Beijing’s interventions will bear fruit. Chinese may have narrowed the field for presidency in their favour, but Taiwanese folks still have to vote. Whatever result, Beijing will still rail against Taiwan's democracy, as each election entrenches island’s separateness & distinctive political culture.

Beijing has played its hand smarter this time around. In 2019, Xi reasserted Taiwan would be brought under China’s control under the “one-country-two-systems” model used for Hong Kong. But backlash in Taiwan@2020 poll was ferocious and helped re-elect President Tsai Ing-wen DPP.

If DPP does win a 3rd time in a row in January, you can expect a thunderous Chinese response. As Xi told Biden in San Francisco, as far as Beijing is concerned, China’s absorption of Taiwan is “unstoppable”. As Former deputy commander of Taiwan’s Air Force Lt. Gen. Chang Yen-ting near his home in Taipei. Anything could happen’: Why voters are torn in Taiwan. Taiwan’s China dilemma

https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affai...115-p5ek2u

[Tee tiong huat]

Xi Says China Seeks to Be Friends With US, Won’t Fight ‘Hot War’. China ‘never bets against the United States,’ Xi says at event. Remarks come after Biden hails ‘productive’ talks with Xi.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...ceful-ties

[Tee tiong huat]

Xi Says China Seeks to Be Friends With US, Won’t Fight ‘Hot War’. China ‘never bets against the United States,’ Xi says at event. Remarks come after Biden hails ‘productive’ talks with Xi.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/...ceful-ties

Biden stressed that thel world expects United States to solve problems of our time. "America will lead if or if we walk away from challenges of today, the risk of conflict could spread, and the costs to address them will only rise. We will not let that happen. That conviction is at the root of my approach to supporting people of Ukraine as they continue to defend their freedom against Putin’s brutal war," Biden stressed.

The US president also pointed out similarities between Russian terrorists and Hamas terrorists."Both Putin and Hamas are fighting to wipe a neighboring democracy off the map.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/11/18/7429381/

[Tee tiong huat]

Both parties have decided on additional discussions until Friday (Nov. 24), the final day for candidate registration. Ko said that all possibilities remain open, (may including) potential inclusion independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘), who enjoys a support base of 7% to 10%. All of that weight was bearing down on Taiwanese politics this week, as rival political parties began to radically reposition themselves ahead of the nation’s presidential election in early January.

Not only was Beijing watching the events in Taiwan closely. Many informed observers of the island’s politics see Beijing’s heavy thumb on the scale.
https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affai...115-p5ek2u
Both is quarreling over Technial Error..
  quarrelsome crying  

(KMT) Central Standing Committee announced on Sunday (Nov. 19) a list of legislator-at-large candidates, with former Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) at the top.

List is finalized, KMT National Policy Foundation deputy director Ling Tao (凌濤), indicated KMT is still hope to run a joint ticket Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). Han’s inclusion on legislator-at-large list largely prevents him from being chosen as KMT vice presidential candidate.

List also included KMT think tank leader Ko Chih-en (柯志恩), former KMT legislators Su Ching-chuan (蘇清泉) and Chang Chia-chun (張嘉郡), New Taipei City legal affairs director Wu Zong-xian (吳宗憲), and former Tainan City Councilor Hsieh Lung-chieh (謝龍介).

Ling said he is confident that the KMT can achieve a consensus with the TPP on a joint ticket and resolve the current impasse regarding "margin of error" polling. Ling added that there are still a few days to solidify the KMT-TPP alliance, though he admitted the most difficult matter is TPP candidate Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) acquiescence.

As for whether polls will be redone, Ling said that if no prior consensus about how to interpret polling data is agreed upon, it will not matter how many polls are conducted
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5042928

[Tee tiong huat]

Taipei, Nov. 18 (CNA) The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) will continue negotiating a joint presidential ticket, the two parties said Saturday.

Public has "high hopes" for a change in government after eight years of DPP rule, Ko said, adding that party negotiations between the TPP and KMT should resume...the two sides could still negotiate a new agreement now that previous one reached Wednesday had fallen apart -- saying only that "everything is possible by 5 p.m. on Nov. 24.

https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202311180014
He was referring to the Centra

[Tee tiong huat]

50,000 attend DPP campaign rally in Kaohsiung. Lai Ching-te tells crowd to steer clear of potential KMT-TPP alliance and put faith in him

Approximately 50,000 people attended a campaign rally for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in Kaohsiung on Sunday (Nov. 19), according to the party's election office.

The attendance far exceeded initial projections, which put the crowd at 30,000, per Liberty Times, indicating momentum for the DPP as the TPP-KMT joint ticket frays over polling data interpretation. Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) also held a rally in New Taipei, which drew 4,000 attendees.

In his speech, Lai talked about the rebirth of Kaohsiung after Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) was elected in 2020, leading to major infrastructure projects. For example, Lai said that an extension of Gangshan Road will be opened to traffic next year, making city transportation more accessible.

50,000 attend DPP campaign rally in Kaohsiung
Huge crowds turn out to support Lai Ching-te in Kaohsiung. (Facebook, DPP photo)




Lai urged crowd to steer clear of potential KMT-TPP alliance and instead put their faith in him.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5043496

[Tee tiong huat]

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) held a private meeting with independent presidential candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) late Sunday evening (Nov. 19). Earlier in the day@Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) rally, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) vowed to fight to the end as party’s presidential candidate. Ko has expressed his dissatisfaction with negotiations between TPP and Kuomintang (KMT) about formalizing a joint ticket, per Liberty Times.

A decision about a joint ticket was to be announced on Saturday (Nov. 18), notably about which party would lead the joint ticket and which party would play a supporting role. The KMT said their candidate, Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), held a clear lead in the polls and deserved to be the presidential candidate. Ko, however, disputed the poll results, noting that polling data had largely fallen within the margin of error, leaving open the possibility that he could lead the joint ticket. Disagreement over poll data is leading local media to speculate about a breakdown in TPP and KMT cooperation.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5043261

[cheekopekman]

Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) held a private meeting with independent presidential candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) late Sunday evening (Nov. 19). Earlier in the day@Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) rally, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) vowed to fight to the end as party’s presidential candidate. Ko has expressed his dissatisfaction with negotiations between TPP and Kuomintang (KMT) about formalizing a joint ticket, per Liberty Times.

A decision about a joint ticket was to be announced on Saturday (Nov. 18), notably about which party would lead the joint ticket and which party would play a supporting role. The KMT said their candidate, Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), held a clear lead in the polls and deserved to be the presidential candidate. Ko, however, disputed the poll results, noting that polling data had largely fallen within the margin of error, leaving open the possibility that he could lead the joint ticket. Disagreement over poll data is leading local media to speculate about a breakdown in TPP and KMT cooperation.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5043261

Supporters watch those clowns in circus lah!

[Tee tiong huat]

Taiwan’s outspoken former envoy to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, has formally registered her candidacy for vice president and the running mate of William Lai in the island’s upcoming 2024 election. Hsiao, 52, a former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, served as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US from 2020 until her resignation this week.

[Tee tiong huat]

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Ukrainian-born Taiwanese actress and model Larisa Bakurova (瑞莎) was reportedly being considered by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for a run at a legislative seat, but on Monday (Nov. 6) she denied that she had been invited to run for public office.

Local media outlets have reported that the 38-year-old naturalized Taiwanese citizen had been considered by the DPP as a possible candidate for an at-large seat in the upcoming 2024 Taiwanese legislative election. However, at noon on Monday, Bakurova took to Instagram to deny that she had received such an invitation and emphasized that her focus was on her family and rhythmic gymnastics students.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5034470

Taiwan News) — Zhushan Station on the Alishan Forest Railway line officially reopened, Monday (Nov. 20) after 3-years of extensive renovations. Zhushan Station is the highest railway station in Taiwan & 1st mountain station to be a diamond-rated green building, station features intelligent ecological lighting, water storage functionality, and a double-layered, single-side platform with a crescent-shaped design, creating a new landmark for Alishan. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency's Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office (AFRCH) held an opening ceremony for the renovated station on Monday. Forestry and railway officials, Tsou elders, and teachers and students from local elementary schools took part in the event in Chiayi County's Alishan Township.

[Tee tiong huat]

Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) says his housing policy on Oct. 27, a policy modeled after Singapore. Hou said his policy includes diversification of public housing units & homes for families with children, curbing real estate speculation, and carrying out urban redevelopment.
As part of public housing diversification, Hou vowed if elected, he would introduce a "housing justice" program to supply a total of 1.2 million social housing units

[Tee tiong huat]

Talks ongoing between Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) about a joint unity ticket is as gone.

With Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) saying he intends to continue running until the end as the TPP's candidate and KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) declaring he intends to persevere on his own journey to the end, it is looking less likely that an agreement will be reached. For the last two weeks, Hou and Ko have been effectively tied in Taiwan News' poll of polls.

Meanwhile, Ko is still in communication with independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) and there is speculation about some kind of tie-up between them.

The same for Gou. He has not been releasing
public itinerary for weeks, nor holding major campaign events and his support continues to slide to hit a new low of 6.72%. making it a (4th) and last 4th-way race. A Good Funny Joker or a Crown... Party 

[omgwtflol]

Waiting for him to disappear in China. 😅

[cheekopekman]

Taiwan’s outspoken former envoy to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, has formally registered her candidacy for vice president and the running mate of William Lai in the island’s upcoming 2024 election. Hsiao, 52, a former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, served as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the US from 2020 until her resignation this week.

Sure win liao lah!  100% Support Taiwan Independence lah!

[Tee tiong huat]

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — What was once a wide gap between Taiwan’s presidential candidates has significantly narrowed, according to a new poll that shows all major party candidates within about three points of one another.

Pollster My Formosa released results on Wednesday (Nov. 22) that showed the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te (賴清德) with 30.4% support and the Kuomintang’s (KMT) Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) with 27.2%. Last month’s poll showed Lai about three points higher than where he is now, while Hou’s support grew by 5%.

Meanwhile, support for Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) also showed a healthy increase of around 5%, in third at 27.1%. The percentage of voters who said they would not vote was 2.2%, and those who did not respond was 9.3%...
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5044995

[Tee tiong huat]

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5044995

If independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) is included in polling, Ko’s support drops most at just under 23%. Lai and Hou’s results are within the poll’s 3% margin of error if Gou is included.

The poll surveyed 1,071 people throughout all of Taiwan’s counties and cities. It was conducted by Computer-assisted telephone interviewing between Nov. 7 & 17, was before cooperation talks between the KMT and TPP broke down over disagreement about which parties’ candidate would lead a possible joint ticket.

On Tuesday, Hou said there is still time to make cooperation work, though TPP leaders have questioned the likelihood of agreeing. On Wednesday, Ko left reporters guessing at a press conference, during which he said the U.S. had also asked him what form his presidential run would take.

“I said Taiwan is an island full of surprises. There are only two days left, no need to be nervous,” Ko quipped.

The deadline for registering a candidacy in Taiwan’s presidential election is Nov. 24.

[Tee tiong huat]

Taiwan ruling party powers ahead as chaos engulfs ...19 hours ago — Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who China views as a separatist, leads opinion.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacif...023-11-22/

[Tee tiong huat]

Final countdown: Hou, Ko, Ma, and Gou hold last-ditch meeting Grand Hyatt Taipei

Taiwan News) — As the public remains in suspense as to whether there will be some sort of joint ticket involving two or more opposition candidates, four key players are reportedly scheduled to meet on Thursday (Nov. 23) afternoon in a last-ditch, high-stakes gambit to create a unified front.

The Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), and independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) are slated to meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Grand Hyatt Taipei on Thursday, reported CNA. Lee Li-chen (李利貞), a campaign spokesperson for KMT presidential candidate Hou, described the gathering as an "open and transparent" meeting.

As the Friday (Nov. 24) deadline for presidential candidates to officially register for the 2024 Taiwanese presidential election, Hou and Ko have yet to meet up to iron out a deal on who would lead the joint Blue-White (KMT-TPP) ticket. During the day on Thursday, Hou had waited for Ko in Ma's office to no avail, while Ko and Gou waited for Hou in the Grand Hyatt Taipei, continuing the statement between the two sides.

Hou's camp even sent its office deputy chief executive Hsieh Cheng-ta (謝政達), KMT deputy secretary-general Chiang Chun-ting (江俊霆), and Hou's spokesperson Chien Chen-yu (錢震宇) to the Grand Hyatt Taipei, hoping to coax Ko into going to Ma's office that day.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5045711
During a press briefing in the afternoon, Lee said that Ma and Hou had sent representatives to invite Ko and Gou to come to Ma's office, with the primary object of having an "open and transparent dialogue." However, Ko has prepared three rooms and a large venue in the Grant Hyatt that could only be used after 4:30 p.m.

According to Lee, Hou reiterated the importance of having an "open and transparent dialogue." Otherwise, if the meeting occurs in a small room, it may lead to the impression of secret negotiations, which would not be ideal and is also considered impolite towards Ma, said Lee.

Lee added that Ko and Gou's offices had repeatedly invited Hou to meet with them in the hotel and he had agreed to attend the talks at 4:30 p.m. He said that Ma also expressed his willingness to be a witness, "Let us be open and transparent and tread the path of collaboration in the open."

[Tee tiong huat]

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5044995

If independent candidate Terry Gou (郭台銘) is included in polling, Ko’s support drops most at just under 23%. Lai and Hou’s results are within the poll’s 3% margin of error if Gou is included.

The poll surveyed 1,071 people throughout all of Taiwan’s counties and cities. It was conducted by Computer-assisted telephone interviewing between Nov. 7 & 17, was before cooperation talks between the KMT and TPP broke down over disagreement about which parties’ candidate would lead a possible joint ticket.

On Tuesday, Hou said there is still time to make cooperation work, though TPP leaders have questioned the likelihood of agreeing. On Wednesday, Ko left reporters guessing at a press conference, during which he said the U.S. had also asked him what form his presidential run would take.

“I said Taiwan is an island full of surprises. There are only two days left, no need to be nervous,” Ko quipped.

The deadline for registering a candidacy in Taiwan’s presidential election is Nov. 24.

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5045711