TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The character "Greed" (貪) won the "Taiwan Character of the Year 2024" (台灣2024代表字) contest, organized by the United Daily News (聯合報), on Tuesday (Dec. 10). It received 8,736 votes, narrowly surpassing the second-place character "Combat" (鬥) by just 410 votes. UDN Editor-in-Chief Wang Mao-chen (王茂臻) attributed the top choice of the word to a year marked by political and judicial scandals, and speculated that the public's disdain for fraud also contributed significantly to its selection.
As the character selection reflects the prevailing sentiments and significant events in Taiwan over the past year, Wang described "Greed" as a character with strong supervisory connotations, reflecting public expectations for political integrity and improved human ethics. During the press conference, Wang expressed hope that the event continues and that next year's selection embodies warmth, empathy, and positive energy. He believes these annual characters encapsulate the essence of Taiwan's societal and national experiences over the years, offering meaningful insights when revisited.
Taiwanese Olympic bronze medal-winning gymnast Tang Chia-hung (唐嘉鴻) attended the event and showcased his calligraphy skills by writing the chosen character. Tang shared his perspective, viewing it as an aspect of self-awareness. As an athlete, he emphasized the importance of striving for new experiences and outcomes, and inspiring supporters. Tang personally chose "Choice" (擇) as his character of the year, reflecting the decisions he faced both in competition and personal growth.
