TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Business tycoon Terry Gou said on Friday (Sept. 1) he aims to "strengthen Taiwan's economy and restore hope to the people of Taiwan."
He claimed not to have any "political baggage" as he runs as an independent candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Seeking voters' support, Gou reiterated the importance of having a better candidate take office, rather than switching parties, stating, "The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have been in charge for numerous years, but nothing has changed."
"While a new party has emerged, it still carries its own political baggage. Only I, Terry Gou, am not affiliated with any party or faction," Gou added.
He emphasized that Taiwanese people of all age groups are experiencing hardships caused by the country's looming economic downturn and expressed his desire to apply his 50 years of business experience to change the current conditions.
Before Gou arrived at a Buddhist temple near Academia Sinica, a group of his supporters were seen cheering and holding banners reading "Support Terry Gou to run for president."
Since Gou announced his presidential bid on Aug. 28 and has not secured a nomination from any political party, he is obliged to obtain close to 290,000 petition signatures to officially join the race.
If he successfully obtains the required number of signatures, Gou will be competing with the DPP front-running candidate, Lai Ching-te, the KMT presidential hopeful Hou Yu-ih, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) contender Ko Wen-je for the election held on January 13, 2024.
