Gou and Hou Decline to Be Running Mates, Partnership Unlikely
United Daily News, February 4, 2023
Asked whether he would participate in the 2024 presidential election, founder Terry Gou of Hon Hai Precision Industry Company (Foxconn) stated that he had consulted the gods to decide. It is understood that Mr. Gou and Mayor Hou Yu-ih of New Taipei have already reached a tacit understanding that "if one is to run for president, then the other will not." Although KMT supporters expect either a "Gou-Hou partnership" or "Hou-Gou partnership" to take shape, neither Gou nor Hou, leaving the chances of a partnership low.
Chairman Eric Chu of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) stated on February 8 that the most important thing for the KMT is to unite and win more support and that the party welcomes all “non-DPP” (referring to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party) friends, no matter their political color.
It is rumored that the KMT legislators from northern Taiwan petitioned to urge Mayor Hou to run for president. Without making specific comments on this point, Chairman Chu stated that at this stage, the KMT has to unite and get full steam ahead for the legislator by-election in Nantou on March 4, and maintain close contact with every local government head. Mayor Hou is a popular candidate with the strongest coattail effect in the KMT, and he is also working hard on municipal governance. "Let’s encourage and support him together," Chu expressed.
Regarding the 2024 presidential election, Mr. Gou said in an interview a few days ago that people expected the leader to maintain peace for Taiwan, he also shared that he had "asked the gods, and will let the gods make the decision."
KMT supporters surmise that Mr. Gou’s mind is already stirred by the idea of running for the presidency.
Recently, it has been discussed that Mr. Gou intends to form a "Non-green Alliance". During the Chinese New Year, he even called former Speaker Wang Jin-pyng of the Legislative Yuan, and Chairman Ko Wen-je of the opposition Taiwan People's Party, to meet after the New Year.
Mr. Gou’s political movements are unclear, which makes the KMT very anxious. Chao Shao-kang, the initiator of "Combat Blue" for more active KMT, praised Mr. Gou as a very suitable candidate. He also called on both Hou and Gou to participate in the primary election. KMT Taipei City Councilor Lee Ming-hsien said that he often heard the grassroots talking about "2024 as the last chance for the KMT" and paying close attention to the KMT's presidential candidate.
People close to Mr. Gou said, "It is impossible for him to serve as a deputy. If he intends to throw his hat in the ring, he will be aiming for the presidency," but at present Gou has not shown his intention of running for it. People related to the KMT stated that Gou and Hou have a good personal relationship and admire each other. Both aspire for the presidency, but there is no possibility for them to run for it at the same time. It has become a catch 22, therefore it will not be an exaggeration to say a tacit understanding has formed, as previously reported, that "if you are to run for president, then I will not."
People in the KMT stated that at present it appears that supporting canvassers keep spreading words, but nothing is impossible in politics. It can only be said that the probability of a partnership with Gou and Hou on the same ticket in the presidential election is very low.