TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Jaw Shaw-kong, the vice-presidential candidate for the Kuomintang (KMT), on Saturday (Dec. 9), criticized the lack of access to university campuses for his campaign activities, a privilege that he claims was afforded to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) before his candidacy.
Previously invited to speak at National Tsing Hua University, National Chiao Tung University, and Chinese Culture University, Jaw's engagements were subsequently canceled by the universities.
Lamenting the restrictions, Jaw argued that university students' interest in democracy should be nurtured. He plans to speak at various higher education institutions to facilitate exchanges with students from at least five schools.
Jaw's first campus speech will occur this evening at his alma mater, Taichung First Senior High School.
KMT presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih, nominated in June 2023, has participated in youth forums at National Chengchi University and National Taiwan University.
Meanwhile, Hou's DPP rival, presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, delivered speeches at the National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University in October and at the National Taiwan Ocean University in November. He also held discussions at National Cheng Kung University, where he studied.
Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je has also been invited to speak at universities, highlighting the pattern of presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls engaging with the student electorate across Taiwan.