Taiwan Election: January 10
On day four, our student journalists of The Young Reporter visited the campaign headquarters of three parties in Taichung. 三個黨派的台中競選總部風格規模不同,國民黨顯然最財大氣粗。
Supporters Become More Active as Election Approaches, Says Volunteer at Kuomintang Taichung Campaign Headquarters
By Nicole Chu, Tom Shuai, Siena Cheng
Taichung, Jan 10 (TYR) - The Kuomintang campaign headquarters in Taichung, established on December 17th last year, has seen a surge in volunteer activity as the elections draw near. Huang Wei-ting, a 30-year-old employee at a foreign trade company, was among the first volunteers to serve at the headquarters. "Initially, I came to help after work, but with the election imminent, I'm here all day," Huang stated.
Huang's contributions include indoor services and canvassing on the streets. The headquarters welcomes the public and allows visitors to interact with volunteers and offer feedback, which is then compiled and forwarded to the main headquarters.
Visitors and volunteers express their support by writing wishes and posting them on the bulletin board. "Hou Yu-ih is open to the people's voices, particularly the youth," Huang noted. "It's evident, seeing that many Kuomintang Legislative Yuan candidates are in their early 30s."
The increasing enthusiasm of supporters was palpable during recent parades, according to volunteers. "People stop and signal with a 'three' gesture when they see us. A notable change is the growing number of young supporters," they observed.
Chou Chao-sung, a 76-year-old former principal of National Hsinchu Girls' Senior High School, also volunteers at the headquarters, providing tea and tea sets for visitors.
Chou asserts that Chinese culture is the bedrock of democracy and should be valued in education. He criticizes the current ruling party's policies, particularly the neglect of traditional Chinese culture in schools. "Japanese schools teach traditional Chinese calligraphy, but it's rare in Taiwan," he lamented, expressing concern for the diminishing Chinese identity among Taiwan's youth if Kuomintang loses the election.
Kuomintang, the largest opposition party in Taiwan, endorses peaceful relations with mainland China and advocates for closer ties.
A United Daily News telephone survey released on January 2nd indicated that support for the DPP was 32%, Kuomintang 27%, and TPP 21%, with a five-percentage-point lead for Lai over Hou.
Three days before the referendum TPP service Office of Taichung is bumper-to-bumper.
By Yang Haicen, Yang Shuyi, and Bo Chuxuan
Taichung, Jan 10 (TYR) - The Service Office of Taiwan People's Party (TPP) in Taichung has received a series of visits and concerns when the general election is approaching.
Several Citizens came here to collect posters and election banners or called to make suggestions and ask for election information.
Huang Wen-ting, 45, party secretary of the Taichung TPP, said she had been swamped during the recent election campaign.
Within 10 minutes of the interview, Huang had answered four phone calls and received several people who came to visit her.
“I could probably receive 30 or more (phone calls) a day from people who would enquire about how to apply for general election scrutiny, mainly from elderly people visiting.”
Local citizen Lau Tsung-ming, 41, came to the office to join the party. "This is the first time in my life to join a party," he said.
"Ko Wen-je has been the mayor of Taipei for eight years, and he is relying on his political achievements to gain people's support," he added.
Aside from Lau, most visitors were there to pick up the supplies, preparing for the general election eve.
When it comes to the source of supplies, Wong looks proud. "Our supporters made all of our supplies out of their own pockets. All the other parties have their own funding, but we are unfunded."
With the election just three days away, Huang remains optimistic about the outcome.
"It would be nothing short of a miracle for Taiwan if our party is elected this time," she expressed hopefully.
Baseball and Animals: the DPP Campaign Charms Young Voters
by Kong Tsz Yuen, Miu Wai Yan, and Mao Anqi
Taichung, Jan 10 (TYR) - Election Day draws near, and the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) campaign headquarters in Taichung is preparing various creative stationery products featuring designs and slogans of the DPP.
The theme of the DPP stationery products is baseball, symbolizing the goal for all candidates to be elected and achieve a "full stack."
The DPP in Taiwan uses baseball as a concept, symbolizing their aspiration to hit a home run in the presidential election and secure legislative seats. At a campaign brunch organized for Chang Liao Wan-chien's legislative campaign, a wide variety of creative stationery items were displayed on the tables. The names written on the baseballs are those of the DPP candidates for District Legislators in Taichung.
Pan Wei-ting, 50, the director of the Department of Organization at the DPP Taichung campaign headquarters, said their personnel generated this creative idea.
She added that supporters can purchase these stationery products, which serves as one way to raise election funds. Pan Wei-ting and other volunteers have worked for the DPP for several years, advocating the motto "Choose the right person and walk the right path."
"Young people would like this kind of thing," she said. "A good portion of our volunteers are also energetic and hardworking youngsters."
The dog and the cat featured in the campaign materials represent the pets of Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-Khim, respectively, with Hsiao's cat nicknamed the "battle cat."
Aside from baseball, the DPP employs animal themes in their campaign materials to appeal to young supporters. The dog and cat showcased represent Lai Ching-te's and Hsiao Bi-khim's pets, with Hsiao's cat affectionately dubbed the "battle cat."