Taiwan 2024 Election: Kaohsiung on Jan 7
Guiding students in their coverage of the Taiwan election, here are the stories crafted by international journalism students for student media, The Young Reporter.
Frontrunner Democratic Progressive Party Claims a Total of 120,000 Supporters at Its 'Super Sunday' Rally
By Chu Yu Qi, Shuai Jun Cong, Cheng Li Sheng
Kaohsiung, Jan 7 (TYR) - The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) initiated its final weekend push for votes before the crucial January 13 election at the Fongshan district in southern Kaohsiung, Taiwan, around 7 p.m. today.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, Vice President Lai Ching-te—the leading candidate in the election—and Vice-Presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim attended the campaign event to canvass support a week before voters make their final decisions. The Mayor of Kaohsiung, Chen Chi-Mai, and eight DPP candidates for the Legislative Yuan also appeared to back the rally.
Chen claimed that the party had been "caring" for Kaohsiung during his 8-year tenure. He warned that if the ruling power were to be handed over, the progress of projects such as the MRT, National Freeway 7, and the Southern Semiconductor S Corridor might face delays.
President Tsai called for 1 million votes in Kaohsiung, aiming "to secure the highest number of votes in Taiwan."
2024 Taiwanese presidential election: Pre-Election Golden Week, Taiwan People’s Party rallies for election push in Kaohsiung
By Kong Tsz Yuen, Miu Wai Yan, Mao Anqi
Kaohsiung, Jan 7 (TYR) - On Sunday, the Taiwan People’s Party's (TPP) campaign rally in Aozidi Forest Park boasted an electric atmosphere with a large crowd of supporters.
Founded in 2019, the TPP strives to become a significant political force in Taiwan.
All three presidential candidates from the major Taiwan political parties held events in Kaohsiung tonight on what the locals call "Super Sunday." Ko Wen-Je, the TPP candidate, represents Taiwan's third major political party, a position not seen for over twenty years.
The hostess of the TPP campaign announced at around 7 p.m. that the total number of attendees had surpassed forty thousand, which was received as exciting news.
Janice GT Chen, one of the TPP's non-district legislators, delivered her speech to the crowd:
"Although the TPP is only four years old, compared to the Kuomintang's 100 years and the Democratic Progressive Party's 40 years, we are poised to become a key political force," Janice GT Chen proclaimed.
She criticized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for severely restricting freedom of expression and questioned their audacity in commemorating Cheng Nan-jung, who fought for Taiwan’s freedom.
A distinctive feature of the TPP supporters is their wearing of grass hair clips, symbolizing the idea that ordinary people, like blades of grass, can come together to form a vast meadow.
Former NTU President Kuan Chung-Ming on the stump for KMT in Kaohsiung election campaign
By Yang Hai Cen, Yang Shu Yi, and Bo Chun Xuan
Kaohsiung, Jan 7 (TYR) - On the last Sunday before Taiwan's presidential election on Jan. 13, the Kuomintang (KMT) election campaign rally took place at Kaohsiung's Dream Time Plaza. The event lasted two and a half hours and drew about 30,000 people, predominantly from the middle-aged and elderly demographic.
Former National Taiwan University (NTU) President Kuan Chung-Ming attended Hou You-yi's election campaign in Kaohsiung, marking his first appearance on the campaign trail, and proposed three "musts."
"Taiwan must be safe; the youth must have a future; and people must be satisfied," Kuan stated.
Kuan praised Hou's bravery in ensuring citizen safety: "A courageous leader will not hesitate or dodge when facing any difficulties and challenges but will dare to confront them."
He also criticized the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for monopolizing Taiwan's resources and dividing interests.
"The DPP doesn't only want our money, but also our lives," he claimed.
Former President Ma Ying-jeou was also present at the campaign event to express his support for Hou.
