United Microelectronics Corp founder Robert Tsao (曹興誠) yesterday threw his support behind Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung (陳時中), lauding the former minister of health and welfare’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tsao announced his support at a news conference in Taipei, which Chen attended.
Tsao said he was appalled by the attacks leveled by Chen’s mayoral rivals, criticizing his performance in handling the pandemic.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
“It is absolutely not fair for Chen to become the target of all kinds of mudslinging and accusations of wrongdoing, to smear his reputation,” Tsao said.
Compared with 40 leading economies under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Taiwan has among the best records for handling COVID-19 and much fewer deaths than many other countries, he said.
“Taiwan has been winning the battle against COVID-19, better than more than 90 other countries. Yet the health minister who led that fight has faced wave after wave of attacks, tainting his reputation,” he said.
Chen said he was thankful that Tsao spoke publicly about the issue.
“In looking back, everyone on this island believed in sharing the same mission in overcoming the pandemic together, and we supported each other through difficult times, for Taiwan to become a model to be emulated by countries around the world,” Chen said.
“In this battle, we fought and managed to mostly suppress the COVID-19 pandemic, but I see a dark shadow that is disinformation and cognitive warfare being waged against us. When Taiwan is rising, enemy forces aim to strike against us, to make Taiwanese lose their confidence,” he added.
“The COVID-19 battle was overcome with efforts from every citizen, so we should not sell ourselves short,” he said. “We can also assist other countries on the public health front ... to make progress in providing better healthcare around the world,” he said.
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