Peace is the only way to protect stability and prosperity in Taiwan, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said yesterday.
Hou, widely tipped as a potential Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate, made the comment in Singapore on the last day of his visit to the city-state.
Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (黃循財) on Friday confirmed his meeting earlier in the day with Hou.
Photo: Screen grab from Hou You-yi’s Facebook page
“Had a good chat with New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih,” Wong wrote on Facebook, calling Hou “an old friend.”
Hou declined to answer questions about whether meeting Wong changed his views on the so-called “1992 consensus,” but he emphasized that peace is crucial for Taiwan’s future.
The “1992 consensus” is a term that former Mainland Affairs Council chairman Su Chi (蘇起) in 2006 admitted making up in 2000, and refers to a tacit understanding between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party that both sides of the Taiwan Strait acknowledge that there is “one China,” with each side having its own interpretation of what “China” means.
The nation’s internal policy should be confident, expand the country’s capabilities, utilize advantages and increase adaptability, Hou said, adding that international exchanges must be developed.
Taiwan should direct diplomatic efforts toward securing more international space for the nation’s development and to show the world the friendliness of Taiwanese, he said.
Avoiding the risks of war and maintaining peace are of key importance to Taiwan, Hou said, adding that the world is hoping a peaceful course of action would be adopted.
Friendly relations with China must be built on the foundation of equality, dignity, friendliness and pragmatism, but peace is the only option for national development and domestic tranquility, he said.
When asked whether he would run for president if asked by the KMT, Hou said he is not afraid of any challenge and would do anything that needs to be done for the peace and prosperity of Taiwan, without elaborating.
Hou faces competition from the campaign of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘), who, despite not being a member of the KMT, has said he seeks the party’s nomination.
Gou officially announced his plan to seek the KMT nomination for next year’s presidential election on April 5 upon his return to Taiwan from a 10-day visit to the US.
He then embarked on a visit to Japan on April 11.
Gou on Tuesday asked the public to give him 30 days to present his campaign platform.
Gou presided over Hsinchu County’s Jhubei City (竹北) forum yesterday, which attracted a crowd of young technology industry workers.
A KMT insider said on condition of anonymity that popular support for Gou’s presidential bid is likely to rise, as the billionaire has demonstrated serious intent through recent public appearances and his visits to the US and Japan.
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