Taiwan's future first lady doesn't worry about revealing her forthright character and her views when talking about her new role, that will begin when her husband is inaugurated this Saturday.
"We will be a first family that is closer to the people. We are young, and there can be many possibilities regarding our future roles," Wu Shu-chen
Wu said the so-called "official wife culture" during the KMT's period of rule in Taiwan would be cast aside.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
"What exactly is an official's wife? Is it a character who shows up during the election campaign for her husband? This is utter nonsense," Wu said.
Her feelings about moving to the presidential residence are similar. She says she couldn't care less about the interior decor of their new home, nor the first family's parties. She says she worries more about potential hassles between her two children and their security staff -- and if her dog will have a hard time getting used to the new toilet arrangements.
As the wife of Taiwan's youngest president, Wu said she has been through a "different" process as a public figure, compared with, say, US first lady Hilary Clinton.
"She began as first lady and is now running for senator. I was first a legislator and now am the first lady," said Wu. But, like Hilary Clinton, Wu says she will devote herself to promoting the welfare of minorities and the physically challenged. Taiwan society seems to have neglected such issues, Wu says. "There was very little media attention when our foundation held meetings on minority welfare." She is currently president of the Formosa Foundation, an institution that conducted polls, campaigning and social activities for Chen's past political involvements.
After the inauguration, she will no longer hold the post of president and the scale of the foundation will be downsized. But her efforts toward minority welfare will not be changed, Wu said.
In terms of showing respect and empowering the physically disadvantaged, she said: "We have less charity than foreign countries."
For an amicable and optimistic woman, as Wu certainly is, she says the last thing the physically disadvantaged need is pity. Fifteen years ago when she was discharged from hospital after being hit by a car that left her largely paralyzed -- an incident believed to have been deliberate -- Wu said she "strolled" around department stores in her wheelchair, holding her urinal bag.
"I didn't feel any shame, and I didn't care about people giving me strange looks," Wu says.
Which is part of the reason why, for Wu, shopping is always much more enjoyable than any social or political meeting, despite her sharp vision and knowledge of politics.
"I don't think I will be doing any so-called `wife diplomacy' for President Chen. If I travel, I'll go to any country I like," Wu said.
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