The billionaire founder of tech giant Foxconn, Terry Gou, has announced he will run for president of Taiwan as an independent candidate, pledging to fix cross-strait relations and boost Taiwan’s economy.

At a press conference on Monday, Gou – a well-known and outspoken businessman – announced what he called “the era of entrepreneurs’ rule”.

“I have decided to join the 2024 presidential race,” he said, touting his business and finance experience, including dealings with China.

“Give me four years and I promise that I will bring 50 years of peace to the Taiwan Strait and build the deepest foundation for the mutual trust across the strait … Taiwan must not become Ukraine and I will not let Taiwan become the next Ukraine.”

  • TurnItOff_OnAgain@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I know nothing about this man, but the conspiracy theorist in me sees

    Taiwan must not become Ukraine and I will not let Taiwan become the next Ukraine.”

    And think “sure, cause you’ll give up right away and hand things over to Pooh in Chief”

    • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Yep. Let’s elect the mole who China holds billions of dollars of leverage over? This guy gets elected and Taiwan becomes HK.

  • dogslayeggs@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    What he says: “I promise that I will bring 50 years of peace to the Taiwan Strait”

    What he means: “I want to make sure my multi-billion dollar business doesn’t get threatened, so I’m going to completely give in to China at the first chance I get.”

  • deconstruct@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    Just days after another Chinese naval encirclement of Taiwan, Gou announces a plan of appeasement.

    It’s amazing how little some people learn from history.

    • st0v@lemmy.zip
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      1 year ago

      It’s going to freak you out to learn there are actually pro-unification people in Taiwan of the “one country two systems” ilk. A lot less than there used to be, and I doubt it will ever be more than it is now.

      This guy has been mega successful on the mainland he had reason to believe it would be a good thing for Taiwan.

      If you ask people on the street most of them just want peace. Even if that means the Taiwan question never gets answered in their lifetime. When some thirsty westerner grand stands about Taiwan they cringe in fear knowing it will be their families who has to pay the bill.

      Alot of people on either side of the strait feel nothing will happen and are tied of politicians amping it up and tempting fate.

  • Prior_Industry@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    You would think there is enough history of useful idiots being disposed off that it’s hilarious that he thinks that he would remain in a influential position after unification.

  • kent_eh@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    What exactly does he mean “fix”?

    Is he planning to stand-up to Beijing, or capitulate to them?