Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Tensions

Taiwan’s China-friendly Tycoon Runs for President, Does He Stand a Chance?

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By TaiwanPlus

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We look at what’s behind Terry Gou’s second presidential bid as the China-friendly founder of Foxconn, the world’s largest iPhone manufacturer. Can Gou successfully win the nomination to bring the KMT, Taiwan’s largest opposition party, back to power in 2024? We also take a deep dive on other potential candidates in the race. Could likeability and China policy be key in swaying voters next January? Our panelists on the show are: Vincent Chao - Taipei City Councilor and former Taiwan Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO) Political Division Director Lu Yeh-chung - National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Chair and Professor We also hear from: Jiho Chang - DPP Keelung City Councilor and former Speechwriter to President Tsai Ing-wen Eric Huang - KMT International Affairs Department Deputy Director 00:00 Introduction 00:35 Is Gou a serious candidate for the KMT? 02:38 Will China leave Taiwan alone if the country disarms? 04:24 Populism 2.0? 09:00 Gou’s contenders within the party 10:40 KMT a victim of its own success? 12:06 Impact of Ma Ying-jeou’s China trip 13:45 Has Taiwan’s status quo changed? 14:28 What exactly is the status quo? 16:07 Jiho Chang: How China tries to meddle in Taiwan politics 24:02 How successful was Tsai Ing-wen’s U.S. trip? 25:58 China’s 3-day military drills around Taiwan 29:00 Keeping Taiwan’s ‘big prize’ 29:28 Tsai-McCarthy meeting setup: Easing tensions with China 30:56 Eric Huang: Gou’s focus on advancing technology 38:27 President Tsai’s likability and how 2024 candidates compare 43:49 How viable is the TPP’s former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je?