Ko grilled on cross-strait topic in university talk in Japan

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan People's Party's (TPP) chairman and presidential candidate, Ko Wen-je, responded to students' inquiries about cross-strait relations and Taiwan's upcoming election during his speech at Waseda University in Shinjuku, Tokyo, on Monday (June 5).

Ko Wen-je shared insights into his political journey and the founding principles of the TPP in his speech. Following his address, a Chinese student asked Ko if he believed "the Republic of China includes the mainland area." Ko, in response, counter-questioned the student, stating, "You are from the mainland. Why would you ask me if the Republic of China includes the mainland?"

The student replied, "Because I think it is included." Ko continued the interaction by asking, "Are you sure you can go back to China?" which led to laughter filling the room. The Chinese student also inquired about Ko's current cross-strait policy, explicitly asking if it still advocated for 'two sides of the Strait becoming one family.'

Ko responded, "Being one family is better than having a feud. Communication is better than none. Dialogue is better than a quarrel." 

Another student from Shanghai questioned Ko about his willingness to meet with Xi Jinping if elected president, as well as his plans for improving cross-strait relations. Ko, known for his pragmatic approach as a surgeon, emphasized that the decision to meet with Xi Jinping would depend on the topics and purposes of the meeting.

Regarding the upcoming election, a Taiwanese student asked Ko about the TPP's strategy for retaining their seats in the Legislative Yuan if he were not elected in 2024. Ko replied, "In 2014, we united with the Democratic Progressive Party to defeat the Kuomintang. In 2018, we defeated both parties. So in 2024, we focus on continuing to defeat them."

In the 2024 presidential race, Ko is competing against Lai Ching-te from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and Hou Yu-ih from the opposition Kuomintang. Approximately 70 students attended the speech, including Ogasawara Yoshiyuki, an expert on Taiwanese politics and Professor Emeritus at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

Before his five-day trip to Japan, Ko expressed his hope that this visit would foster mutual understanding between Taiwan and Japan.

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