TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential nominee Lai Ching-te criticized the outdated policy views of Kuomintang's (KMT) presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, during Saturday's (Dec. 30) presidential debate, vowing a measured and status quo approach.
Lai, speaking first during the televised debate, noted that after three policy presentations, he found Hou merely rehashing yesteryear's policies. Lai highlighted Hou's continued support for the 1992 Consensus and the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA), even as the world has undergone substantial economic shifts.
Lai particularly criticized Hou's position on reactivating Taiwan’s Fourth Nuclear Power Plant in the face of Taiwan's growing renewable energy capacities.
"Outdated policies must be abandoned. Our past efforts must be upgraded. The world is rapidly changing, and a nation's leadership should comprehend and master these shifts," Lai stressed. He called for decisive, action-oriented leadership with a vision to propel the nation forward.
Lai outlined his policy principles, which include boosting national projects, enhancing defense, economic and democratic ties, and maintaining dignified, equal cooperation with China. He acknowledged that peaceful exchanges with China benefit both sides and stabilize local conditions.
He pledged to foster a just and sustainable Taiwan, with an emphasis on friendly parenting measures, and to discard the KMT's era of shifting caring responsibilities to individuals and families. He lauded President Tsai Ing-wen's social investments over the past seven to eight years as unparalleled by previous presidents.
In Lai's view, the 2024 presidential election will decide whether Taiwan aligns with democracies or authoritarian entities. He emphasized that voting for him and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim is the only option to continue collaborating with democratic allies.
