DPP chief makes plea for unity
The embattled chairman of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday urged colleagues to work out their differences amid an internal struggle that could cost him the chairmanship.
Hsu Hsin-liang said he hoped colleagues from different party factions would resolve conflicting views so the DPP could continue expanding its power.
'The DPP is everybody's,' Mr Hsu said.
'I have never cared about whether I stay as chairman or go. I only care about being able to lead the DPP along the road to becoming the ruling party during my term.' The conflict between Mr Hsu and leaders of the party's influential factions, which had been kept under wraps in the lead-up to November 29 local elections, flared again last week as he travelled the US.
Leaders of the influential 'New Tide' faction, which favours a more active course towards seeking independence and the use of public referenda to decide whether to allow controversial business projects to proceed, have said they would no longer back Mr Hsu for the chairmanship when the party's central committee meets in May.
Mr Hsu angered the faction when he told American audiences the DPP would not act rashly on its goal of seeking independence.
Meanwhile, the party's Department of Information director, Sisy Chen Wen-chien, said she wanted to step down this month.
