Foxconn’s founder said China wouldn’t attack if he were president. On Thursday, Taiwan’s Foxconn (2317. TW) billionaire creator and presidential candidate Terry Gou claimed China would not strike if he became president because he would not proclaim independence.
In the run-up to Taiwan’s January presidential election, China has staged frequent military drills near the island to reaffirm sovereignty claims that Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects.
I believe they desire peace. Independence requires conflict. “They think Taiwan is theirs,” Gou told Tunghai University faculty and students.
In 2019, Foxconn’s chief, Gou, one of Taiwan’s most famous faces, resigned.
This month, he reapplied for the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential ticket, which typically favors Beijing.
Gou said China intended to grow its economy, hire college graduates, and feed its people.
They don’t want to hit Taiwan. “But Taiwanese politicians hope this will make people hate China and elect them,” said Gou, 72. “I won’t (declare) independence, you won’t attack me or fly around Taiwan,” he said, alluding to China’s virtually daily air force flights near Taiwan.
Gou called for “peace with respect” and equal negotiations and criticized international media for presenting Taiwan as a time bomb.
He said, “Do you feel it’s dangerous?” The audience laughed.
Constitutionally, President Tsai Ing-wen cannot run again after two terms.
Her governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has nominated Vice President William Lai for president. The KMT has not chosen a leader.
Beijing rejects Tsai’s dialogue offers because it thinks she’s a separatist.
Tsai and Lai said only the Taiwanese can decide their destiny.
Comment Template