寄居蟹喜欢吃什么
TAIPEI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- As Typhoon Danas leaves a trail of destruction across southern and central Taiwan, public anger is mounting over what many view as a sluggish disaster response from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities led by Lai Ching-te.
According to local media, the typhoon knocked out power to nearly one million households across the island and toppled close to 2,500 utility poles, the highest number in recent years. In the aftermath, residents in the hardest-hit areas have been grappling with widespread power outages, water shortages and damaged homes.
Taiwan is no stranger to powerful typhoons in summer and has long been regarded experienced in disaster preparedness. However, the DPP authorities' inadequate response to the relatively moderate strength of Typhoon Danas has drawn criticism from both local residents and the broader public.
IMPROPER REMARKS
Lai recently inspected parts of Tainan, where some areas already face long-standing challenges such as population decline, an aging demographic and limited local resources, local media reported.
In video footage from the scene, when residents pleaded for military assistance to help the elderly clean up their damaged homes, Lai responded that "not everything can be handled by the military." He went on to suggest that communities should "use natural disasters as training opportunities."
In another encounter, an elderly resident told Lai they were afraid to climb up and fix a leaking roof, and Lai responded by telling the residents to climb up themselves.
These remarks by Lai sparked a storm of criticism online, with many Taiwan netizens commenting, "He's doing nothing to help," and "He doesn't care about the people, only about provoking confrontation."
Adding to the frustration was Lai's unfulfilled promise made during his visit to a disaster-hit area in Tainan. According to local media, he had assured residents that power would be fully restored by 5 p.m. that day, but more than 30,000 households remained without electricity the following morning. In the sweltering heat, some residents had to sleep outside their homes to escape the unbearable indoor temperatures.
In light of these issues, the DPP authorities' capacity for disaster prevention and emergency response has been widely questioned.
Local media reported that despite assurances from the Taiwan Power Company that repair crews were working around the clock, some residents endured more than 10 days without electricity.
A recent editorial in Taipei-based China Times stated that the DPP's so-called efforts to address natural disasters contributed nothing to practical disaster response, from early warning systems and infrastructure support to mobilizing and coordinating local communities.
Observers have pointed out that this typhoon has ripped away the carefully constructed image of Lai as a "down-to-earth leader," revealing that beneath the political showmanship lies ineffective governance and disorganized management.
Taiwan's United Daily News noted in an editorial that the DPP authorities faced widespread criticism during the disaster, not only for their lackluster relief efforts but also for displaying "an arrogant attitude" in response to desperate pleas from affected residents.
Weng Lu-Chung, a Taiwan scholar, stated in an opinion piece that the DPP authorities failed to respond with honesty and sincerity in a time of real need, urging them to prioritize the people's perspective instead of staging political performances.
DPP POLITICAL AGENDAS ABOVE ALL
Critics also accused the DPP authorities of prioritizing political agendas over disaster relief, especially in the context of its aggressive push for a recall vote, which was scheduled for July 26, targeting more than 20 legislators of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT).
According to local media, the DPP even falsely claimed that the fallen utility poles were the result of KMT and Taiwan People's Party budget cuts. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an slammed the DPP for "focusing only on politics instead of getting things done," and called on authorities to put aside partisan struggles and work together to help those affected by the disaster.
Meanwhile, the DPP's long-touted policies of building a "nuclear-free homeland" and promoting "green energy" have also come under fire.
Local media reported that around 130,000 solar panels -- weighing more than 2,000 tonnes -- were destroyed in Chiayi and Tainan during the typhoon. The wreckage of solar infrastructure now litters the coastline, and Taiwan's environmental agency said it could take up to six weeks to clean it all up.
Local residents have expressed concern not only about prolonged blackouts in the extreme heat, but also about the potential release of harmful substances from damaged materials polluting the environment.