Taiwan must avoid becoming economically dependent on China by pursuing deeper integration with the US and Japan, Hon Hai Technology Group founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) told a forum in Washington on Tuesday.
Gou, who is reportedly seeking the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) nomination for next year’s presidential elections, embarked on a 12-day visit to the US on Monday.
Gou arrived in the US two days ahead of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who made a stopover in New York yesterday en route to Central America.
Photo: CNA
Some have speculated that Gou, who left the KMT in 2019 after losing its presidential primary, planned his US trip as part of a return to politics.
However, the tycoon said that economic and political issues would not be the focus of his trip.
Taiwan’s economy must not become dependent on China, and the nation should diversify into Southeast Asia and Europe, Gou said in a speech at the Washington branch of a Taiwanese business association.
Taiwan should internationalize its economy by seeking deeper ties with Japan and the US before conducting technology transfers to Southeast Asia, Gou said.
How Taiwan positions itself in the next four to eight years is of great importance, he said, adding that if the country were to follow the path of globalization, technology, peace and prosperity would be in sight.
Commenting on the possibility that Taiwan could become the “next Ukraine,” Gou said that although the idea is widespread, drawing such parallels is not good for the country.
Some of Hon Hai’s clients had asked the company to implement a “Taiwan plus one” strategy by setting up manufacturing facilities in other countries to mitigate the risk of overdependence on one location, he said.
As for the attributes a Taiwanese leader should have, Gou said that “fists cannot conquer forever, but only once,” adding that the president would be chosen democratically and not by who is the best pugilist.
“A great person will focus on what he has done for others and will not ask what others have done for him,” Gou said, quoting the Tao Te Ching, a Chinese text written in about 400 BC and credited to ancient philosopher Laozi (老子).
“Just do what should be done. If you have the people in your heart, the people will definitely make the right choice,” he added.
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