Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

A heated conversation between a Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Keelung city councilor and a local resident on whether an ammunition depot in the city should be relocated has stirred debate about public attitudes toward national security in Taiwan, and has drawn speculation on the KMT’s cross-strait stance.

After nine soldiers were injured in a blast at the Hsiang Feng military base depot in Keelung on Monday, KMT Keelung City Councilor Lu Mei-ling (呂美玲) on Tuesday visited a local market to hear residents’ opinions with a reporter in toe.

The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) National Congress, which took place on July 24, unanimously passed a resolution nominating New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) as the party’s presidential candidate.

Hou has said that he supports the so-called “1992 consensus” and that he would take part in a protest march against Taiwan independence.

Taiwan People’s Party’s presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on July 18 said that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family, and there is room for negotiations between the two sides. He also said that Taiwan cannot achieve de jure independence. How sad for Taiwan to watch these two rival candidates singing China’s tune.