KMT Press Release

KMT Press Release

November 1, 2007

The KMT Central Standing Committee passed the drafts of the “KMT Central Missions for 2008” and “Common Campaign Planks for KMT Legislators of the Seventh Legislature” on October 31. Top on the list of central missions is to reclaim the ruling power in 2008, whereas the common campaign planks emphasize the KMT’s love for “the state, Taiwan, the native soil, and the people” and the call for “giving top priority to improving the livelihood of the people and strengthening Taiwan’s economic power.” The 22 planks will play a vital role in drumming up the electorate’s support for KMT legislative candidates.

The central missions include a total of eight task agendas. In addition to going all out in drumming up the electorate’s support for the KMT’s legislative candidates and Presidential Ma-Siew ticket and reclaiming ruling power, the planks also called for preparations for the third plenary session of the 17th Central Standing Committee and the 4th plenary session of Advisory Committee, as well as reinforcement of task force functions, intensified training of party cadres, reinforcement of legislative caucus functions, and promotion of KMT central ideals.

With regard to cross-Strait relations, the KMT believes in the principle of reciprocity and mutual benefit, and recognizes the importance of pushing for peaceful development, relaxing economic and trade restrictions, providing better services for Taiwanese businessmen on the mainland, safeguarding the rights and interests of Taiwanese businessmen on the mainland, pushing for cross-Strait direct transportation links, opening up Taiwan to Mainland Chinese tourists, facilitating the export of Taiwanese agricultural products to the mainland, improving the income of farmers, and striving for prosperity for all businesses.

The draft of campaign planks is aimed at resolving the chaos which has arisen during the DPP’s eight-year rule. The chaotic mess includes a decaying economy and deteriorating competitiveness, economic hardship for the people, and constant outbreaks of corruption scandals involving DPP officials. The planks seek to redress the situation and stress the KMT’s love for “the state, Taiwan, the native soil, and the people” and to emphasize “giving top priority to improving the livelihood of the people and strengthening Taiwan’s economic power.” The 22 planks are as follows:

1.Stabilizing the situation in the Taiwan Strait and ruling out the possibility of warfare

2.Stabilizing domestic politics and restoring confidence

3.Realizing cross-Strait direct transportation links and leaving the roots of businesses in Taiwan

4.Opening up Taiwan to Mainland Chinese tourists

5.Protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development

6.Introducing incentives for investment and pushing for economic development

7.Building up economic strength and linking up with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

8.Winning over more allies and signing the FTA (Free Trade Agreement)

9.Amending laws to upgrade the status of southern cities and counties to strike a balance between the North and the South

10.Eradicating corruption and instilling transparency in government administration

11.Wiping out robbery and burglary and freeing the people of fear

12.Attaching higher emphasis on the Hakka language and protecting the rights of the indigenous people

13.Promoting Chinese culture and enhancing the nation’s pride

14.Rationalizing the taxation system and building a society of equitable wealth

15.Repaying the state debts and building a healthy financial system

16.Rejuvenating the farm villages and bringing back the affluent past

17.Extending the compulsory education, offering free preschool education

18.Taking care of the disadvantaged and supporting the needy

19.Reforming the national health insurance system and putting an end to the waste of resources

20.Taking care of laborers and respecting the labor force

21.Giving a supporting hand to females and ensuring equality between the sexes

22.Cultivating young people and creating a bright future for the pillars of the nation

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