On 2nd Anniversary of President Lai's Inauguration, Chiang Wan-an Hopes for Focus on Public Livelihood

(CNA, by reporter Yang Shu-min, Taipei, 20th) Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen on the 19th called on President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), to state that Taiwan will not declare independence and to remove the Taiwan independence clause from the party's platform. Today marks the second anniversary of President Lai's May 20th inauguration, and when asked by the media about this, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated that he hopes President Lai and his government will prioritize the people's livelihood. Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen stated on the 19th that for Taiwan's security, she suggests President Lai Ching-te should quickly eliminate the international community's doubts by explaining that Taiwan will not declare independence. As President Lai also chairs the DPP, he should remove the Taiwan independence clause and genuinely safeguard the Republic of China. Taipei City is promoting a smoke-free city and has already activated 5 negative-pressure smoking rooms. Today, Chiang Wan-an, along with the Kuomintang's (KMT) New Taipei City mayoral candidate Lee Szu-chuan, inspected the negative-pressure smoking room at the MRT Zhongshan Station. During a media interview, when asked about his view on Lu Hsiu-yen's recent suggestion to President Lai on the second anniversary of his inauguration, Chiang Wan-an responded that May 20th is a mid-term exam for President Lai and his government. He said President Lai should reflect on what the ups and downs of the past two-plus years have left for Taiwan. Chiang Wan-an pointed out that the public's expectation is for less politics and more governance, less cognitive warfare and more focus on the people's livelihood and economy. He hopes President Lai and his government will prioritize the people's livelihood. Lee Szu-chuan stated that he believes cross-strait peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are the aspirations of Taiwan, the United States, and all citizens, and that people with differing views should not be allowed to disrupt peace. Furthermore, Lee Szu-chuan pointed out on the 19th that DPP's New Taipei City mayoral candidate Su Chiao-hui once proposed a constitutional amendment based on a "two-state theory," while fellow party legislator Puma Shen claimed there was no Taiwan independence clause, and that the two should provide a unified explanation. Su Chiao-hui's camp stated that returning to municipal discussions is for the benefit of the citizens. When the media pressed Lee Szu-chuan for his view, he responded that a person's beliefs should be consistent and should not be abandoned for the sake of an election. Lee Szu-chuan stated that since moving from an administrative role to running in an election, he has been a "doer," and this belief has never changed. He said his opponent (Su Chiao-hui) once proposed a constitutional amendment based on a two-state theory, which everyone knows, and if this is her belief, she should state it boldly. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150520