Chu replaces ‘Chu’
The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman and New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫) has replaced Deputy Legislative Speaker Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) — who is often called “Chu” — as the KMT presidential candidate.
Hung was formally nominated and then inhumanely removed from the candidacy.
Foreigners might be confused by the two Chu’s names, while Taiwanese cannot tell the difference between their political ideologies.
Hung’s candidacy fell apart mainly because she pushed the “one China, same interpretation” framework.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) agreed with Hung, saying her stance echoed the so-called “1992 consensus” of “one China, different interpretations.”
The interpretation has been made solely by China, with no room for an interpretation by the Republic of China (ROC).
Chu, on the other hand, advocated “two shores belonging to one China” when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing. Chu’s advocacy and Hung’s stance are indistinguishable, as in “a half pound, or eight ounces.”
However, in his presidential nomination acceptance speech in Taipei, he mentioned the ROC and Taiwan loud and clear — when he was asking for votes.
Chu said that democracy in Taiwan would be in jeopardy if the KMT fails. The way he replaced Hung shows he is far from a gentleman. This also reconfirms that the KMT has never been a democratic party.
A popular saying now is: “Taiwan will not be good unless the KMT falls,” which rhymes both in Taiwanese and Chinese.
Chu had promised to complete his term as New Taipei City mayor and said he would not run for president. He pretends to be shy, but he is a greedy man, and he is happy that he was drafted. He is regarded as “Ma 2.0.”
Taiwanese cannot afford to have another Ma-type politician like Chu.
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
The obsession with money
What a shame. During Double Ten National Day celebrations, in front of the whole world, President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) apparently forgot that he was the president of the Republic of China and acted as if he were on the campaign trail, addressing supporters at a rally.
What stupidity. More stupid than Ma are Taiwanese who voted for him; not once, but twice.
However, Taiwanese are not stupid. The only reason they voted for Ma is that their love for money is more powerful than any other motivation, including their love for Taiwan.
Pierre Loisel
New Taipei City
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