KINMEN (TVBS News) — In a significant display of unity, Vice President Lai Ching-te and Foxconn founder Terry Gou made a joint appearance at the Cheng Huang Festival, a religious and cultural event in Kinmen. This marks their first public appearance together, as they expressed their shared desire for peace in the region.
Gou, who recently emerged from the shadows after the Kuomintang (KMT) party's nomination of New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih for the 2024 presidential election, approached the event with a proactive stance. Standing before the Kinmen Wudao Cheng Huang Temple, he warmly greeted Lai, the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, with a smile and a firm handshake lasting over 15 seconds.
To demonstrate his commitment to peace and stability across the strait, the influential business tycoon handed Lai a manila folder containing his proposal titled "Kinmen Peace Declaration." Gou had previously unveiled this proposal during his visit to Kinmen in mid-May. By presenting it to Lai, he expressed hope that the DPP presidential candidate would carefully review the content.
Lai briefly acknowledged the gesture without elaborating further. During his opening remarks, he emphasized the value of peace and the absence of winners in times of conflict, stating, "To pursue peace, we must pursue true peace."
Amidst the gathering, Kinmen County Council Speaker Hung Yun-tien voiced his support for Gou's potential presidential bid should he continue running. He also suggested that it would be advantageous for Gou to join forces with Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je, who was present at the festival and scheduled to meet with Gou later in the day.
