離開
進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Lien opens mayoral campaign office
Sean Lien, front, waves the Republic of China flag yesterday at the launch of his campaign headquarters in Taipei. Photo: CNA
FAMILY TRADITION: The wealthy KMT Taipei mayoral aspirant said he was running for the position not because of a desire for power, but for a chance to serve the city’s residents
By Shih Hsiu-Chuan / Staff reporter
Flanked by Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） politicians, Taipei mayoral candidate Sean Lien （連勝文） yesterday vowed to fight hard to ensure that his party would continue to helm the city.
After incumbent Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin （郝龍斌） presented the flag of the century-old political party to Lien at the opening ceremony of his campaign office, Lien said that he would defend it with his “life” to make sure that the KMT flag continues to fly in Taipei.
“My family and ancestors have dedicated their lives to Taiwan for more than 100 years,” an emotional Lien said, adding that he was grateful for the education and the upbringing his parents had given him.
Lien said his decision to run for Taipei mayor was not driven by a desire for political power or to benefit his family.
“I am begging everyone to give me a chance to serve you,” said Lien, son of former vice president Lien Chan （連戰） and great grandson of Lien Heng （連橫）, a historian and author of A General History of Taiwan.
Sean Lien’s participation in the Taipei mayoral race has been widely interpreted as a way to carry on his family’s political name.
Located in three four-story buildings on Taipei’s Zhongxiao E Road Sec 3, Lien’s campaign office was provided by King’s Town Bank chairman Terence Tai （戴誠志） and Boss Group president Chiu Fu-ti （邱福地） at a low preferential rent of NT$120,000 （US$3,953） per month, according to a report by Storm Media group.
The buildings are located in a 2,000 ping （6,611m2） area that has been designated for urban renewal.
The project, known as Huashan, is expected to generate benefits of up to NT$70 billion, the report said.
Several land developers, including Boss Group, are hoping that Lien could facilitate the project should he win the election, the report said.
Lien has said that urban renewal tops Taipei residents’ list of priorities, it added.
Lien’s spokesperson, Chien Chen-yu （錢震宇）, yesterday confirmed that the monthly rent was NT$120,000, but did not comment on the identity of the owners.
The office was provided by “friends of the office’s commissioner, Chen Chiung-sung （陳炯松）,” Chien said.
President Ma Ying-jeou （馬英九） had used the same space as his campaign office when he ran for KMT chairman and his Taipei campaign office when he ran for presidential re-election, Chien said.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
