Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Foxconn, has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate in Taiwan’s presidential election set for January 2024. Gou, known for his wealth and leadership in one of the world’s leading electronics manufacturing companies, previously attempted to secure the nomination from the Kuomintang (KMT) party for the last presidential election but was unsuccessful. Recently, he was also not chosen as the KMT’s candidate for the upcoming election, leading him to pursue an independent bid.
To officially enter the race, Gou must gather 290,000 signatures by November 2. He has been actively engaged in campaign-like activities across Taiwan in recent months, indicating his serious intent to contest the election. Gou’s company, Foxconn, is notably a major supplier for Apple’s iPhone and is a significant player in the global electronics manufacturing sector.
In his announcement, Gou criticized the policies of the current ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), claiming they have steered Taiwan towards potential conflict. He promised to focus on ensuring peace in the Taiwan Strait and building trust with mainland China, stating his objective to prevent Taiwan from facing a situation similar to Ukraine’s current conflict.
The DPP’s candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, currently leads in the polls, with KMT’s Hou Yu-ih trailing. Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party is also in the race. The DPP has been vocal about Taiwan’s sovereignty and the right of its people to determine their future, especially in light of increased pressure and military exercises from China under President Tsai Ing-wen’s administration.
Vice President Lai, in a recent press conference, emphasized Taiwan’s status as a sovereign nation and addressed the ongoing tensions with China. His remarks followed Beijing’s criticism of the United States for a proposed $500m arms sale to Taiwan, including technology upgrades for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets. Despite not formally recognizing Taiwan, the US remains a key ally and security backer, often supplying Taiwan with defensive weapons.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed a goal to reunify Taiwan with the mainland by 2049 and has not dismissed the use of force to achieve this objective. The upcoming presidential election in Taiwan is expected to be closely watched, given the island’s strategic significance and the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
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