Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of Foxconn, the leading Apple supplier, announced his candidacy for Taiwan’s president in the upcoming January elections. His aim is to unify the opposition and ensure Taiwan doesn’t follow in the steps of “the next Ukraine”.
Previous Attempts
- 72-year-old Gou previously bid for presidency in 2019 after stepping down as Foxconn’s chief, but couldn’t secure the nomination for the primary opposition party, Kuomintang KMT.
- He made another attempt earlier this year, but KMT instead selected Hou Yu-ih, New Taipei City’s mayor, as their candidate.
Campaign Focus
Gou’s campaign is characterized by:
- A pledge to mend cross-strait relations and boost Taiwan’s economy.
- A focus on his business and finance background, especially his interactions with China.
- A call to Taiwan: “Give me four years and I promise that I will bring 50 years of peace to the Taiwan Strait and build the deepest foundation for the mutual trust across the strait. Taiwan must not become Ukraine and I will not let Taiwan become the next Ukraine.”
Criticism of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
Gou heavily criticized the DPP, blaming them for pushing Taiwan towards potential conflict and accusing them of policy errors domestically. The DPP, which champions Taiwan’s separate identity from China, has repeatedly tried and failed to initiate talks with China.
Election Dynamics
Gou is the fourth individual to announce a presidential bid. The polls, prior to his announcement, place him significantly behind the front-runner, William Lai from the DPP, Taiwan’s current vice president. Analysts suggest that Gou’s entry might further split the non-DPP vote, benefiting Lai and the DPP.
Political Landscape
- Gou’s main theme is averting war with China, which claims Taiwan as its territory. He believes this can be achieved by removing the DPP from power.
- Recent tensions have escalated between Beijing and Taipei. China’s military demonstrations near the island underscore these strained relations.
- The DPP’s leader, Lai, emphasizes the continuation of defense measures, international partnerships, and opening dialogue with China, ensuring “parity and dignity”.
Reactions from Other Candidates
- Gou has urged for unity among opposition parties, requesting Ko and Hou to collaborate with him against the DPP.
- KMT expressed disappointment in Gou’s decision, advocating for support towards their selected candidate, Hou.
- Hou remains unwavering in his presidential ambition and focuses on his party-assigned mission.
- Ko’s party respects Gou’s decision but remains dedicated to Ko’s campaign.
Foxconn’s Stance and Gou’s Business Ties
There have been concerns regarding Gou’s significant shareholding in Foxconn, which has considerable investments in China. Addressing these, Gou asserted his willingness to “sacrifice” his Chinese assets in case of a Chinese attack. Emphasizing his independence, he stated, “I have never been under the control of the People’s Republic of China.” Foxconn confirmed that Gou no longer manages the company’s daily operations since he “handed over the baton” four years ago.
Next Steps
To qualify as an independent candidate, Gou needs to gather around 290,000 voter signatures by Nov. 2. The Central Election Commission is set to review these and make an official announcement by Nov. 14. For a comprehensive understanding of Taiwan’s political history and the significance of its elections, visit here. In summary, Terry Gou’s decision to run as an independent candidate adds an intriguing dimension to Taiwan’s upcoming presidential elections, amid heightened tensions with China and a deeply polarized political climate., with each candidate bringing their distinct visions and strategies for the future of Taiwan.
