Taiwan’s presidential election will be held in January 2024. Ahead of the election, presidential candidates making public appearances are sparking election talks wherever they go.
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Photographers surround and take pictures of Vice President and DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as he attends a major religious event. The Wudao City God Welcoming Festival took place on Tuesday in Kinmen County. Lai’s appearance alongside Foxconn founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) has sparked election debate among the public.
At the festival, Lai commented on cross-strait relations and peace talks. He says he’s a pacifist and democracy advocate because peace is priceless and that there are no winners in war.
In line with Lai’s peace talks, Gou passed along a copy of his speech he delivered in Kinmen two weeks ago on cross-strait peace negotiations. Lai says he will take the speech into consideration.
Former Taipei Mayor and Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) also met with Gou at the event. Kinmen County Council speaker Hung Yun-tien (洪允典) says he would rather see the two work together instead of Gou and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜). Hung says he does not have a close relationship with Hou despite being from the same party.
With the election coming closer, any public event can end up generating more debate and speculation about the presidential candidates.