Oct. 10 celebrations held islandwide today

President Chen Shui-bian will host the traditional celebration with senior government officials inside the Presidential Office in the morning.

He will be invited by Legislative Yuan Speaker Wang Jin-pyng to join the rally at the plaza outside the Presidential Office starting at 9 a.m.

Traffic controls will be imposed around the plaza from early morning to at least 1 p.m. in the afternoon today.

As leader of the parliament and top representative of the people, Wang heads an organizing committee for National Day festivities and play hosts to leaders of all political and civic organizations in Taiwan and dignitaries from abroad.

Wang accepted the suggestion from Chen to stage a military performance with around 3,000 troops from the armed forces.

But Chen declined Wang’s request to put the traditional banner with Chinese characters saying “Celebrating the Republic of China National Day” on the tower building of the Presidential Office.

Chen wants to keep the same prominent spot for a banner with giant characters saying “Taiwan for U.N.” plus a huge billboard saying “U.N. for Taiwan/Peace Forever” at the Presidential Plaza to promote his national referendum for the nation to join the world body under the name of Taiwan.

Although invited, opposition leaders decided not to attend the rally.

Ma Ying-jeou, presidential candidate of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and other top KMT leaders as well as lawmakers from the party will attend a national flag-raising ceremony to be held in Taipei County hosted by county chief Chou Shi-wei, who is a KMT member.

Leaders of the People First Party, another opposition party, said they have accepted the invitation from Chou to take part in the ceremony too.

Ma, a former Taipei mayor, will attend another ceremony to be hosted by incumbent Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bing and join a road-jogging event organized by the city government.

Former Democratic Progressive Party Chairman Shih Ming-teh, who has been leading an anti-corruption campaign, will be a conspicuous exception.

1|2|Next Page>>

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email