|
Tsai sees lessons in
Germany’s ‘green’ rail station
By Vincent Y. Chao / Staff Reporter
Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen
(蔡英文) yesterday made Germany’s Berlin Central Station the first stop in her
two-legged visit to Europe, saying the station’s “green” construction provided
Taiwan with an important lesson about how to move away from nuclear energy.
“In Germany, people realize that regardless of whether it is sustainable energy
or nuclear energy, the key is whether politicians have the determination and
foresight to back their policies,” Tsai told Taiwanese reporters. “Germany’s
experience tells us that it is all possible.”
Tsai departed on Sunday on her first trip abroad since launching her
presidential campaign, with the aim to gain a better understanding about
sustainable energy and to boost the viability of her “2025 nuclear-free
homeland” proposal, party officials said.
The policy initiative, first proposed by Tsai in March, was “very similar” to
Germany’s recent -announcement that it would gradually phase out nuclear power
by 2022, she said.
Tsai said Berlin’s decision was “the right one” because it would allow the
country to become the world’s largest “green market.”
Party officials told Taiwanese reporters that Tsai was accompanied during her
visit by Alex Fischer, a member of Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union
and a railway official, who informed her that Germany planned to make all 5,000
of its train stations 100 percent sustainable.
“These are all important points of reference that Taiwan can take from Germany,”
Tsai said.
Tsai, who plans to return to Taiwan on Saturday, also met German government
officials and other ruling party politicians in the afternoon. Party officials
said the discussions focused on energy policy and nuclear safety.
Tsai is expected to arrive in the UK today to meet local Taiwanese groups, one
day before she visits her alma mater, the London School of Economics and
Political Science.
|
