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Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou To Run For President of Taiwan (engadget.com)
hackingbear writes: Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of electronics giant Foxconn, is stepping down from his role as chairman to run for president of Taiwan. Taiwan broke off from mainland China in 1949 after a civil war and is officially known as Republic of China; its legal territory still covers all of China. He will stand in the primaries of the opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), promoting a more China-friendly policy during what is currently a period of heightened tension with Beijing. Gou says he wants to improve relations with mainland China -- something which is quite feasible given his plentiful resources and experience. Foxconn already operates numerous factories in China, employing hundreds of thousands of workers, plus Gou has an alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump, thanks to Foxconn's plans to build a $10 billion facility in Wisconsin. This is certainly a relationship that could give Gou a lot of clout if necessary. Unification with China versus going independent is a political issue defining the politics of Taiwan, serving a role similar to that of abortion and immigration issues in U.S. politics.
Getting out before DNC 2020 burns trump in WI after foxcon fails and WI is left holding the bag + maybe even an TOLLED I-94 from Milwaukee to IL?
So you want to sell out Taiwan to your masters in the Chinese Communist Party. That's big of you. How much will you get for Taiwan's soul, eh? Don't forget, the Chinese Communist Party plays dirty, better watch your back.
>> Unification with China versus going independent is a political issue defining the politics of Taiwan, serving a role similar to that of abortion and immigration issues in U.S. politics.
Similar would mean that it's a "wedge" issue that both parties use to fire up their core voters (the "bases") and fundraise but that neither side really wants to fix (because that would complicate the firing up and fundraising).
The US should completely walk away from the China-Taiwan conflict. Volunteering to clean up another nation's civil war has to be the stupidest move on our part. I swear for the wealthiest nation in the world, the US is mind-numbingly inept about international affairs.
I automatically suspect any US politician that makes deals with China or Taiwan. While we can be on friendly trade relations with either or both, we need to give zero fucks about their private dispute.
translation: whatever's 'best' for my ownership stake in my former employer. the people of taiwan are smarter than that...
my guess is prc will 'get involved' similar to how the russians aided president cheeto in the states.
I am old enough to remember when there was no opposition party, just the KMT.
Chin Lee! Chin Lee! We will remove your head once we've regained the mainland. Your Communism failed, just as it did the Soviets.
if Abortion is illegal or legal, America is still America.
If Taiwan unifies with China, Taiwan will cease to exist as an independent, free economy and society. No more elections, no more free speech, no more free press, no more independent media, no more free access to the internet, etc etc etc.
Wisconsin is planning on building a factory in Taiwan and asking for a $10B handout from Gou.
that thinks he owns the planet.
mmmmmmm cheez, wif bitz.
Just a note on the "Taiwan broke off from mainland China in 1949" >> The Republic of China was never part of the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China was established in 1912 and after the civil war, in 1949, the communist government took over the mainland, establishing the People's Republic of China. Meanwhile the Republic of China government fled to Taiwan. The island of Taiwan was under Japanese dominion until 1945, when it was returned to the Republic of China (not the People's Republic of China, they didn't exist yet).
I seem to remember a few of them getting a calling from God to run for office. How is this any different? Both are just pandering to the knuckle dragging segment of their constituencies.
How much money would it be worth to China to get Taiwan? Big friends have big money. This guy knows how to use his skills to sell out and take advantage of his country. Lots of people and organizations in our country work the same way.
Nobody in Taiwan (even I suspect Mr Gou) wants to be part of China. But China is itching to invade, and Xi Jinping has made bellicose statements recently, and is now unstoppable within China.
So what is the best was for Taiwan to stay free for as long as possible? On approach is to strongly assert independence from China. The other is to continue the myth that Taiwan is the rightful governor of China.
The latter pacifies Xi somewhat. As long as Taiwan says it is part of China then there is less reason to invade. But also less likely for there to be international opposition.
What will happen when China invades? They now are certainly developing the capacity to do so. Neither the USA nor anyone else will try to stop them militarily.
But the whole world (even possibly Russia) would become very afraid of China. Certainly massive trade sanctions. Recently a US aircraft carrier made a friendly visit to Vietnam, which sets the tone.
But China is no longer dependent on international trade. Its own economy is self sustaining.
Interesting times.
Would Gou be good or bad for this process? Hard to tell.
Do you like Bukkake? Then Terry Gou is right for you!
Gou Gou Gou, all over you! Just like when the Party cums to rape us too!
Sadly that is in English so it might not sound as great of a chant in Cantonese or Mandarin, but I'm sure the opposition can make it into something that counts! :)