Terry Gou joins large-scale rally for housing justice

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Foxconn founder Terry Gou joined on Sunday (July 16) a large-scale march in Taipei advocating for housing justice, highlighting widespread concerns over the housing issue in Taiwan and calls for meaningful reform.

Speaking at the rally, organized by former legislator Huang Kuo-chang and Internet celebrity Holger Chen, Gou called the government's policy on property hoarding taxes unsuccessful, arguing that the tax was a policy constructed merely for elections rather than addressing the pressing issue of housing justice for Taiwanese citizens.

The Foxconn founder further voiced his belief in a fundamental right to basic housing, which he sees violated by the current administration's failures in the property and housing sector, stating that "everyone should have basic housing rights."

The housing issue has long been contentious in Taiwan's political arena. President Tsai Ing-wen promised to build 200,000 units of social housing to alleviate burdens on citizens; however, according to data available, only approximately 70,000 units have been built over the past 8 years. This shortfall is a crucial point of contention for Gou, Huang and Chen, and the marchers who took to Katagalan Boulevard.

The rally presents a  call to Tsai's administration and the government more broadly, exhibiting the dissatisfaction amongst many in Taiwan with the spiraling crisis in the housing sector and the perceived failures of the government to address it.

Tsai and Vice President Lai Ching-te have received increased criticism from various social and political figures like Huang and Chen, including voices from the tech industry, such as Gou. The housing issue draws not only disparate voices but also a groundswell of popular protest, with Katagalan Boulevard acting as the stage for this collective outcry.

While Gou, Huang, and Chen may be among the most visible figures calling for housing reform, the march — its size and its message — reveal the depth and breadth of concern over the housing issue in Taiwan.