Yingdala

[Wu Han]

Chancellor Wu Visits New Schools
Wu Hán praises government emphasis on education "delivering results"
TIAXI, ANLE - 3 NOVEMBER 4269


Chancellor Wu Hán speaks to children at the newly opened Taixi Primary School No. 39

Chancellor Wu spent the day touring three recently completed primary schools in Taixi, Anle, speaking with teachers, parents, and students. At his first stop, at Taixi Primary School No. 39, Chancellor Wu gave a small message to a group of young students who will be transferring to the new school from schools over their capacity around the city:

We hope that this new school will enable you to study enthusiastically so that you can reach the fullest of your potential, and that you can continue to be the pride of your parents and the pride of our country!

Reporters followed Wu to the next school, Taixi Primary School No. 40, where he spoke with the newly-hired staff and parent-teacher organizations behind closed doors. The Headmaster of this school, Zhi Jinpyo spoke to media standing alongside Chancellor Wu following the meeting:

We are happy to see that this government has taken education seriously throughout its time in the National Conference. It is a beautiful day when so many children in our community can walk into a clean and modern facility to learn. The Early Education Act made this possible. For this, I, and so many others in the community are eternally grateful for Chancellor Wu's leadership.

A visibly emotional Zhi turned to Wu before giving him a deep bow, to which Wu responded with a light smile, as he repeatedly tried to bring him back up. The last stop would be Taixi Primary School No. 41, where the Chancellor toured the new building before entering the auditorium to give a statement to the media. This statement said in part:

Today is the proof of our commitment and dedication to the success of Indrala's students, something which we have been fortunate enough to carry into government. No longer does the government of Indrala ignore our young, but rather we nurture them from primary all the way through to post-secondary with our Early and Advanced Education Acts. As you can see, this legislation is delivering results. Our future has never been stronger.

The transcript of questions is provided below:

Jia Luoyang, Tiaxi Times: Critics on the left say that the Government has been too lenient on education reform, allowing private schools to function exactly as they did before. What do you say to this?
Wu: Our education reform has been the most substantial and progressive change to the way education has been delivered in this country for decades.
Xian Xiuying, Great Indrala Gazette: We've gotten reports from undisclosed sources within your party and the Nationalist Party that you don't personally like the Nationalist Party Leader Feng Xinyue, is there any truth to this?
Wu: We have enjoyed a great working relationship with the Nationalist Party for many years. I congratulated Ms. Feng on her victory and I look forward to working with her.
Xian: Do you like Ms. Feng?
Wu: Sure, sure.
Tang Ruogang, Tian'an Observer: Song Yi of the newly formed Green Bloc had some harsh words for you last month, do you have any response?
Wu: I eagerly anticipate her contribution to our democratic debate. We will always work across party lines on issues of mutual agreement, and I'm sure Ms. Song will be surprised to find that there are often more similarities than differences between groups of people.

[Wu Han]

Chancellor Wu Concedes Election, Resigns as Lotus Party Leader
Nationalist Party candidate Feng Xinyue ends Wu's eleven-year reign as Chancellor
TIAN'AN, HAN - 16 November 4269


Wu delivers a difficult speech to his Party (Courtesy: Peter Ma)

It isn't unusual on Election night for Chancellor Wu to address a room of tearful supporters, although tonight the energy was far more sombre. As results began to come in from the southern provinces, the night turned from jubilance to devastation for the Lotus Party faithful gathered in Tian'an. The scheduled fireworks and balloons would not go off. Rather, around midnight, the lights simply rose and Chancellor Wu walked onto the stage, followed by his Lotus Party caucus. He delivered the following remarks:

My friends, colleagues, and to all of the Indralan people, thank you for bestowing on me the unique opportunity to have served as your Chancellor for the last 11 years. This privilege which you have given me has been and will continue to be the greatest honour of my life. I will never forget that night, so many years ago, when I was watching the results with Biyu and my two beautiful children, and I learned that I would become the Fourth Republic's first democratically-elected Chancellor. I thought about my parents, of their sacrifices, and how they led me to where I stood that night. I thought about the gravity of the position, representing and governing all of my compatriots. It was a very serious and reflective moment, one I am sure that Feng Zinyue is experiencing as I speak to you now. I have called Feng Zinyue and I have congratulated her on her enormous victory this evening, and I offered my personal assistance over the coming weeks and months as she transitions to this role.

Democracy teaches hard lessons. Leaders must be open enough to learn from these lessons, and one of these such lessons is defeat. As such, I cannot shrink from my responsibility and must shoulder the blame. Dear friends, I have failed you. I will resign immediately from my post as Lotus Party Leader so that we can elect a new leader as soon as possible.

I see tears in the audience tonight; there should be no tears. We should be proud of what we fought for and for what we have been able to accomplish together. Although our ambitions to form a majority government tonight have failed, our party's determination to see the Indrala of our dreams will never die. As long as our party stands, and we fight with the strength of our convictions and our love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us. And so while you may be sad tonight, after tomorrow, let us continue to strive for Indrala's freedom, equality and happiness. A better tomorrow is yet to come. Thank you.

Wu Hán bows to the crowd as they chant "bùyào cízhí!" (Don't resign!)

[TreeHugger]

Message From The Green Bloc Following Elections
Song Yi disappointed with results; admits lack of exposure


Song Yi on morning news

Tian’an: Appearing on national morning news, Song Yi discussed the results following the election that saw the governing Lotus party fall to the National Party in an upset vote.

A message was sent to Wu Han, and that message was clear: the people will not tolerate a leader with complete disregard for the real struggles of the working class.

While Song Yi seemed optimistic about the election results, she did not ignore the harsh reality of her party’s showing

We had hoped for a better result, however we had little time to show the people of Indrala who we are and what we stand for. In the coming years the people will learn who really has their back.

She then congratulated Feng Xinyue on her victory

I’d like to congratulate Feng Xinyue on her victory, and reach out an arm of cooperation to my colleague who I look forward to working with on important issues such as women’s rights, tax reform and affordable housing.

The Green Bloc only managed to capture a mere 39,443 votes (0.07%) on election day, but that’s not stopping Song Yi…

We have so much work to do for our people, and we will put forward a strong and progressive agenda that will put our country back in the people’s hands. I will either change this country for the better, or die trying!

More to come…

[Wu Han]

Lotus Party Leadership Election Enters Final Phase
Four candidates vie for the leadership after Wu Hán's resignation
KAIZHOU, JIAOZHI - 4 April 4270


Lotus Party leadership candidates (Top, left to right: Thao Thanh Thai, Huang Zitao. Bottom, left to right: Yi Shufen, Linda Wong

As the Lotus Party leadership race enters its final stretch, four candidates remain: Thao Thanh Thai, a member of the National Conference and ethnic Dinh activist; Former Finance Minister and human rights lawyer Huang Zitao; Yi Shufen, long time student and labour activist and member of the National Conference; and Linda Wong, a star venture-capitalist and former economist. The shape of the race is hard to tell so far, although polls suggest that the race is solidifying around Huang Zitao and Yi Shufen, which indicates the party base is supportive of its establishment. Linda Wong recently sent out a fundraising email which in part asked for her supporters to select Huang Zitao as their second choice in the ranked preferential ballot. However, 400,000 members have joined the party in recent months, increasing Lotus Party membership to a record 1.8 million, and adding a level of unpredictability to the race.


Thao Thanh Thai

Thao Thanh Thai was the first candidate to announce his intention to run when he launched his campaign five days after Wu Hán's resignation. He was noted in the media for his open frustration with the Lotus Party candidate registration process which, among others, asks candidates to submit a 50,000 INS deposit. Thao criticized this at a campaign stop, claiming that: "the Lotus Party has become a party for the bourgeois in our country. When I am elected leader, this party will have one requirement to live by: Socialism, socialism, socialism." Thao Thanh Thai hopes to become the first Dinh Leader of a major political party in Indrala.


Huang Zitao

Huang Zitao has been a well-known name in legal circles for many years for his success in human rights arbitration and trials. Huang was a founding member of the Lotus Party, having been a close friend and advisor to former leader Wu Hán. Huang served as the first Lotus Party President and later Huang served as Minister of Finance for all eleven years the Party was in power. As leader, Huang hopes to continue Wu's legacy, as well as work to continue to "expand our movement to embrace as many compassionate Patriots as possible." Huang was the third candidate to enter the race. Huang and his family are well known in Jiaozhi and across the country: His youngest son Huang Yao (known commonly as just Yao) is a popular teenage pop singer in Indrala. His oldest son, Huang Bohai, is a professional archer, and his daughter Huang Xia is the founder and Chairwoman of the International Children's Defence League.


Yi Shufen

Yi Shufen is a founding member of the Lotus Party and has served as chair of the Women's Council of the Lotus Party since the party's founding, as well as serving as the first chair of the Young Lotisians (the Party's youth wing). Prior to entering politics, Yi graduated Indrala University with her bachelor's degree in Indralan history, and later entered the Armed Forces, serving for seven years in the Navy. During her time in the Navy, Yi became a vocal critic for the rights of women in male-dominated fields of work. Yi served as Minister of Justice in Chancellor Wu's first term, having been replaced with the Coalition candidate afterward. Yi has been a critic of the Party's "list toward the right" and promises to reaffirm the Lotus Party as "fiercely and unabashedly leftist." Yi was the second candidate to enter the race.

Linda Wong

As host of the daily investment commentary show "Wong Weighs In" on the Tian'an News Network, Linda Wong has been a fixture of Indralan economic news broadcasting for the past 15 years. Linda Wong is a multimillionaire celebrity venture-capitalist who has long advocated "progressive and sustainable" investment, and has used her media platform to showcase this investment strategy. Wong first became active in politics during the manufacturing crisis of 4255, when she publically joined the Lotus Party after criticizing the RC's "disgusting, dumb and dimwitted neglect of our economy." Wong again made headlines after announcing she would be the only leadership candidate to personally finance her campaign. Wong was the last candidate to enter the race.

[TreeHugger]

Song Yi’s Greens Pass Living Wage Act
Indrala moves to guaranteed minimum wage for workers


Song Yi at the Indralan Labour Conference

HAZHOU: A historic moment for Indralan politics as the Living Wage Act was passed in the National Conference. This is the first legislation to be introduced, voted upon and passed by the Greens since Song Yi announced her new party in the rice fields of Shu province late last year. This is a huge boost for the party following their disappointing election results last year. Song Yi made an appearance at the Indralan Labour Conference after the vote:

This bill is the result of hard work and brilliant ideas. This bill is a Green bill, and there will be many more of these in the future. Today we changed the lives of hard working people who just couldn’t get ahead with the unregulated wages that were permitted by the government up until this point. Greens stand with you: the hardest working and most devout people in this country. Greens have your back, and we will be the voice of the working class while Tian’an continues to ignore your cries for a more equitable Indrala.

The Living Wage Act was passed unanimously, with only the Popular Unity party abstaining from the vote. Miraculously, the Greens managed to attract the support of the governing Nationalist Party, as well as the opposition Lotus party who had previously received very harsh words from Song Yi.

The bill changes longstanding Indralan law that previously had no guarantee for a minimum wage in the country. The new bill states: “There shall be a minimum wage at a level considered a "living wage," well above the poverty line for a full-time worker.”

Song Yi did not leave the conference without underlining the significance of this bill for the Greens:

The Greens made your lives better, the Greens changed this country. We did all of this without a SINGLE SEAT in the National Conference. Now just think of the possibilities with us in government. Let this be a message to our rivals and the whole country: we are here to get things done for our people.

Another bill that came into law, the Airport Nationalization Act, could arguably be credited to the Greens as well. They initially proposed the National Transport Act, However the Lotus Party did not side with the Greens’ proposal and decided to introduce their own legislation. When asked about this, Song Yi only had one thing to say:

Selfishness.

Many hours passed by before Song Yi’s colleagues had to get on stage and tell her she’d run overtime, but Song remained cheerful throughout her exit, which was met with applause and a standing ovation.

More to come…

[Wu Han]

Coverage of the Lotus Party Hangzhou Convention
Results will be given at the Lotus Party Hangzhou Convention on 21 June 4270
HANGZHOU, MIN - 20-23 June 4270


Hangzhou Convention title card

The Day Before Convention - 20 June 4270

For the past two weeks, over 1.8 million registered Lotus Party members have had the opportunity to vote, either online or by mail, for their preferred choice of four candidates for the leadership of the party. Each candidate spent the day before the convention differently. Thao Thanh Thai served customers and supporters at his family's Dinh restaurant in Tian'an. When asked how he expected to do at the convention, he replied "it's out of my hands, I look forward to seeing the results.

Linda Wong spent the day with her daughter thanking campaign staff before heading to her private jet at Tian'an International Airport, where she flew to Hangzhou. She spent the evening with Lotus Party members at the Park Garden Hotel in advance of the Convention. Speaking briefly to media in the hotel's conference room, Wong had this to say:

This has been a very... unique experience. I'm quite excited, because I have some exceptionally fresh ideas to bring to the party; ideas which will lead our party to a majority in 4274. I promise you, the minute this leadership race is over I’m hitting the road, and I’m going after the government. Every step Feng Xinyue takes, I'll be right behind her.

Wong's comments seem to suggest that she is quite confident with her campaign heading into the convention.

Wong speaking at the Park Garden Hotel (Courtesy: Wu Riu)

Yi Shufen has been in Hangzhou for the past week, attending the Hangzhou Summer Festival and personally canvassing Lotus Party members as part of her dedication to "empowering the grassroots of the party." She spent the final day holding a large campaign event at the Jade Hotel Conference Centre, where she delivered a speech to a packed room of supporters:

It's time to be fiercely progressive. How is it that our party has drifted to the centre when it was once Indrala's only left-wing party? We need to empower our grassroots and return to our tradition of socialist activism.

Yi Shufen speaking at the Hangzhou Summer Festival

Huang Zitao spent the final day of his campaign at a mini-concert his son, Huang Yao (known popularly as Yao), hosted in support of Huang's leadership bid. Yao has been criticized for influencing his young fan base to support the Lotus Party, to which he responded last week by saying "I don't wish to be a political artist, but I would be neglecting my duty as a son to not support my father's ambitions. My father has always supported my dreams, and I must support his. That is family." The concert was streamed online by Huang's campaign, which granted access after a donation. The concert attracted a viewership of 3.3 million. During the concert, Yao made an emotional appeal to the viewers:

... there is no better individual that I can imagine to lead our country. My father is such a great man that I feel ashamed to be his son with my many flaws. I hope that when I die I can have the chance to be born again as his son so that I can work even harder to be deserving of his love...

The broadcast had a continuous shot of Huang Zitao in the top-right corner, and he was shown shedding a few tears during Yao's speech.

A screenshot of the broadcast

21 June 4270 - Leadership Election Results Day

On the first day of the convention, all candidates descended on the Hangzhou Convention Center, along with around 22,000 party members. The morning began with the release of each candidate's final financing numbers to the media, which show Huang Zitao as the frontrunner in donations, though closely followed by Yi Shufen.

The Conference was opened by Party President Wei Cheng at 10:00 a.m. with results being announced around 1:00 p.m. Yi Shufen was the first candidate to walk onto the convention floor, followed by a throng of supporters. She strode confidently across the room to take her seat at the front of the stage. Next, Thao Thanh Thai entered, walking with his wife to his seat, and waving to his supporters across the room. Linda Wong entered about 15 minutes later, walking hand in hand with her daughter and her mother and followed by supporters. Huang Zitao was the last to enter, walking with his wife, son Huang Bohai and daughter Huang Xia. Huang was followed by an enthusiastic group of supporters carrying balloons and signs.

At 1:00 p.m. the first ballot results were announced. As the party only releases vote percentages, that is what will be displayed. Yi Shufen was established as the early leader with 36.43% of the vote, followed by Huang Zitao with 34.82%, Linda Wong at 20.43% and Thao Thanh Thai at 8.32%. Thao Thanh Thai will be eliminated.
At 1:12 p.m. the second ballot was announced: Yi maintained her lead at 41.57%, Huang followed at 36.32% and Wong at 22.11%. Linda Wong will be eliminated.
At 1:40 p.m. the third and final ballot was announced: Huang took the lead at 51.38%, with Yi falling to second place at 48.62%. Huang Zitao is elected Leader of the Lotus Party.

It is clear from the results that Linda Wong's earlier message to supporters to choose Huang Zitao as their second choice was a message well received, as the majority of her votes went to Huang, boosting him over the 50% mark.

Huang Zitao is Elected Leader of the Lotus Party - 21 June 4270


Huang Zitao takes the stage after being elected leader of the Lotus Party

Wu Hán, first leader and former-Chancellor of Indrala walked onto the stage where he delivered brief remarks. Huang Zitao took the stage around 2:00 p.m., where he embraced Wu Hán, and went on to deliver a speech. His remarks emphasized the need to expand the party and grow the base as large as possible. At the end of his remarks, he made an appeal to nationalism:

I want our nation to be the most beautiful in the world. By this, I do not mean the most powerful nation. Because we have felt the pain of being invaded by another nation in our history, I do not want my nation to invade others. It is sufficient that our wealth makes our lives abundant; it is sufficient that our strength is able to prevent foreign invasions. The only thing that I desire in infinite quantity is the power of a noble culture. This is because the power of culture both makes ourselves happy and gives happiness to others. This is the dream I will carry with me until the day I take my last breath, and it is a sentiment I will carry into the National Conference on Monday. Thank you, compatriots, for your support. I will work hard every day to be deserving of your continued faith.

General Party Conference - 21-23 June 4270

Following the leadership election, the Party went on to debate and vote on policies which would make up the Lotus Party's manifesto going forward, updating the 10 Point Jienist Purification and Renewal Agenda which has not been modified since the Party's first convention in 4252. On the final day of the convention, the Party released the new manifesto to the media which is as follows:

Protecting Our Future - The Lotus Party Manifesto
(1) Protecting our vital public services from the threat of privitization;
(2) Protecting our environment for generations to come by investing in our national parks, renewable energy, retrofitting and recycling;
(3) Protecting our infrastructure by founding an public train-operating company, nationalizing our highways, and examining the way government constructs public projects;
(4) Protecting our national character by supporting cultural industries and sites, supporting our Jienist/Guidao heritage, and protecting our children from damaging vices;
(5) Protecting our children's future by increasing tuition subsidies, limiting the growth of private schools, and protecting our public education system;
(6) Protecting our economy by driving growth through public subsidization and investment and protecting industry from foreign competitors;
(7) Protecting our nation by maintaining a strong military with a proud conscription tradition;
(8) Protecting our labour rights by continuing and expanding government support for labour unions and democratic workers councils;
(9) Protecting our most disadvantaged by growing the welfare state, and;
(10) Protecting our farmers by introducing legislation to assure their continued success.

[jamescfm]

Government Taking Advice From Nobles
Potential return to monarchy reportedly being proposed by the Nationalist administration
23rd April 4271

Indrala's government has been receiving extensive advice from a number of historic noble families on subjects as varied as the economy and agricultural life, it has emerged. It follows speculation that the Nationalist Party, who hold a majority in the legislature, were in close contact with leading figures in the monarchist movement. Aiming to provide clarification on the engagements, Internal Affairs Minister Deng Zheng told reporters, "the government meets regularly with citizens from across our country. Recently, we have held a series of meetings with the traditional Indralan ruling clans, where a plethora of subjects were discussed".

In spite of this, it has since been leaked by an unnamed source close to Tian Qiu- leader of the Tian Clan- that plans to abandon republican government are being formulated. According to the source, the government wishes to enter a new Indralan era by overhauling the constitution. Under their proposal, which will be published later in the year, the country would become an 'elective monarchy'. Similar to the system employed in the days of the United Indralan Commonwealth, the emperor would be elected by the entire nobility and would need to be approved by the National Conference. An elected Chancellor would represent the monarch in political life.

Undoubtedly, the reveal of the plan will be a source of controversy within the country. While there are many people who romanticise the fallen empire and support a return to monarchy, there are as many who despise the system and wish to remain a republican state. Reigniting the debate which has been settled for several decades is extremely risky by the regime of Feng Xinyue; she will require cross-party cooperation for the measures to be successful. The leaks come shortly after it was revealed that Feng had made contact with officials from the Greater Nationalist Party of Vanuku to discuss a closer relationship.

[Wu Han]

Huang Zitao Critizices NP Government Reforms
The Lotus Party leader in first press conference expresses "deep reservations" about Feng Zinyue government
TIAN'AN, HAN - 3 November 4271


Huang Zitao speaking to reporters at the Opposition wing of the National Conference in Tian'an (Courtesy: Yi Fenshi)

In his first press conference since becoming Lotus Party leader, Huang Zitao had some harsh words for the Chancellor and her Nationalist Party majority-government. Appearing with Yi Cijiong of the Jiaozhi Yi's and Ming Youhua of the Anle Ming's, Huang critiqued Feng's closed-door meeting with various noble families, and accused the government of "picking favourites" and consulting only those noble families which support the Nationalist Party;

We are deeply concerned that this government will use these changes to stack the deck in their favour. If the Nationalists are planning to move away from our republican system, the conversation should be extended to everyone, not just those who support Feng Xinyue and her government. Today we introduced legislation to ensure that with the restoration of the nobility, only those with legitimate noble claims will be able to attain the status. The Lotus Party will not support any restoration of noble rights without the passage of this legislation.

Huang Zitao explained that the Lotus Party "respects our imperial legacy" and would support a transition back to monarchy, but as Huang added:

If Feng Xinyue doesn't want to work with us, her constitutional overhaul will be dead-on-arrival to the National Conference.

[TreeHugger]

Green’s Internal Affairs Critic Chen Ruogang Lashes Out at Chancellor Feng Xinyue
Tensions rise in the National Conference with debate over nobility rights


Chen Ruogang was furious in the legislature

Tian’an: The air in the National Conference was thick after a heated exchange between the Greens and the Nationalist Party on Wednesday. The Green’s internal affairs critic Chen Ruogang had harsh words for Chancellor Feng Xinyue after the Nationalist Party tabled a bill that would give major rights to nobility – something Mr. Chen could not stomach:

We are a strong and democratic REPUBLIC. The Nationalists want to strip our democracy away and turn the clock back on the people of Indrala so their pig-bellied friends can enjoy government welfare checks and prostitution. The Greens are the ONLY party that believes in a republic and that will fight for our democracy.

Just as Chancellor Feng Xinyue was about to respond, Chen Ruogang had another thing to say:

PIGS! Go breed with your nobles in the mud where you belong! Oink oink!.

He shouted with cheers and laughter from the Green caucus.

While the Greens have promised to be the voice for Indralans, Indralans themselves had mixed responses about Mr. Chen’s comments:

That man boasts a loud mouth but a tiny heart

said Qiao Bi

Mo Hong says:

Finally someone sticks it to the big guys! Greens have my vote.

We reached out to the spokesperson for Mr. Chen as well as Green Leader Song Yi, but both declined to comment.


More to come…

[Wu Han]

The Final Emperor Biopic Recieves Record Viewership as Interest in the Monarchy Rises
The biopic drama by the Wenhua Broadcasting Company achieved record-breaking 66% viewership during the final episode last night
May 4272


Actor Yang Chin as Emperor Wu Ren in a screen shot from the drama (Courtesy: The Wenhua Broadcasting Company)

Viewers across the nation tuned in to the WBC channel in droves last night to watch the final episode of the drama-biopic The Final Emperor, which chronicles the short-lived restoration of the Monarchy between the Third and Fourth Republics. The finale focused on the aftermath of his sudden and mysterious death, and the establishment of the Fourth Republic. The television program comes at a time of intense debate within the country regarding a possible monarchy restoration. Last month the Shi Yawen Institute for Democracy Studies published a report titled "The Fourth Republic (4220-Present): Challenges Moving Forward" which declared:

...it is almost certain that the Fourth Republic will come to an end. (viewtopic.php?p=121243#p121243)

Tensions have been rising across the country as the Nationalist Party continues pro-monarchist consultations with noble families and experts across the nation. Protestors on both sides have gathered outside the National Conference and are expected to stay until Feng Xinyue introduces her constitutional reforms. The Greens have been aggressively opposed to any change to move away from the republican system, and the Lotus Party has expressed concerns with the Nationalist Party's lack of transparency.