Title: Taipei City Mayoral Candidate Visits Presbyterian General Assembly
Taiwan Church News 2842, 14-20 August 2006
Reported by Li Hsin-ren. Written by David Alexander
Mr. Hsieh Chang-ting, candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party for mayor of Taipei in the upcoming year-end elections, paid a visit to the General Assembly Mission Centre of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan on 8th August. He was welcomed by the Rev. Chen Yu-chuan, who expressed a hope that under Hsieh’s leadership Taipei might become a world-class city. Mr. Hsieh, who is not a Christian but has been associated with the folk-religion master Song Chi-li, joined hands with the Presbyterian leaders as they prayed for God to grant power.
Rev .Chen and the PCT’s General Secretary Chang Te-chien engaged in conversation with Mr. Hsieh and offered several suggestions. Rev. Chen was heard to opine that during the mayoral tenure of Chen Shui-bian, who is now Taiwan’s president, the concerns of the people of the city were heard, and municipal development was positive. Now, in contrast, the president’s party (of which Mr. Hsieh is also a leading member) is in trouble. People have high expectations for Mr. Hsieh, and will look for hi8m to exert himself for the advancement of Taipei. Rev. Chen has been acquainted with Mr. Hsieh since 1979. He has observed the candidate in varied roles, including city counselor, member of parliament, mayor of Kaohsiung City and Premier in the central government.
Rev. Chang, the general secretary, expressed a hope that, under leadership by Mr. Hsieh, the Democratic Progressive Party might recover its original love and ideals. He suggested that Mr. Hsieh take a look at the life education curriculum produced by the church for use in public schools, and adopt its basic framework as a governing principle. Though in the past many prominent members of the PCT have been associated with the policies and aims of the Democratic Progressive Party, Rev. Chang said that the church must maintain a proper distance between itself and all political groups, remaining neutral on support of individual candidates and providing no direct support.
This being an early phase of the campaign for the year-end election, Mr. Hsieh has visited many organizations, and the PCT is only one among them. He plans to use "Love and Trust" as his campaign slogan, in the hope of transforming the feelings and identification of local citizens regarding their city.
For More Information: Chang Te-chien gs@mail.pct.org.tw
Chen Yu-chuan pak.mng@msa.hinet.net
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