DistantNews
Support us
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Elections & Politics

KMT Chairwoman Aims for 'TSMC of Politics' Status, Sparks Controversy

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Patricia Chu vowed to make the party the "TSMC of Taiwanese politics" during a rally for local election candidates.
  • Chu's lengthy speech, delivered with candidates standing behind her as a backdrop, drew criticism from some attendees and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
  • The KMT aims for a comprehensive victory in the upcoming local elections, positioning itself as a defender of Taiwan's democracy, freedom, and rule of law against perceived misgovernance by the DPP.

Kuomintang (KMT) Chairwoman Patricia Chu declared her ambition to transform the party into the "TSMC of Taiwanese politics" during a rally aimed at energizing candidates for the upcoming local elections. The event, held yesterday, saw 19 mayoral and county magistrate candidates present, each receiving a "victory oar" from Chu.

However, the rally's dynamics drew immediate commentary and criticism. Chu delivered an extended speech lasting over 20 minutes, during which the candidates stood behind her on stage, effectively serving as a backdrop. This arrangement reportedly caused visible impatience and side conversations among some candidates, with one described as having a "lifeless" expression.

The KMT must stand up once again and become the TSMC of Taiwanese politics, safeguarding Taiwan's democracy, freedom, rule of law, and prosperity, and further sharing Taiwan's democracy, freedom, and prosperity with the world for the benefit of humanity.

โ€” Patricia ChuKMT Chairwoman Patricia Chu's speech at the party's national congress, outlining her vision for the party.

Chu's address emphasized the KMT's role in governing local administrations effectively over the past two years, contrasting it with what she termed the DPP's neglect of duty and creation of "lake dams" of danger. She positioned the KMT as a crucial force to "safeguard Taiwan's democracy, freedom, rule of law, and prosperity," especially in light of what she described as President Lai Ching-te's disregard for the constitution and the legislature.

The DPP swiftly responded, with legislator Hsu Chih-chieh criticizing Chu's analogy as inappropriate and self-serving. He accused the KMT of hypocrisy, noting their actions in the legislature while claiming to uphold the constitution. The rally also saw some notable absences from official photos, including Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and other key candidates who did not pose for official็œ‹ๆฟ photos with Chu. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih, who arrived late, did not share the stage with Chu during her speech, though he later appeared in a separate photo with other party figures.

Chu's example is inappropriate and only makes people laugh. She spends all day smearing TSMC as 'USMC,' and now she wants to benefit from it. The KMT is causing chaos in the legislature with unconstitutional amendments; the KMT itself has no constitution in its heart.

โ€” Hsu Chih-chiehDPP legislator Hsu Chih-chieh's criticism of Chu's 'TSMC of politics' analogy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.