Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) returned to Taiwan from a three-week trip to the US yesterday, saying that he was ready to embark on his presidential campaign.
Ko told reporters at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that he had achieved his three goals for his US visit, the first being to “understand” the US, which he said plays a critical role in Taiwan’s national security.
The second goal was to look at Taiwan from the US’ perspective, he said, adding that he gained a better feel for Washington’s expectations of Taiwan after speaking with government officials.
Photo: CNA
His discussions would help him better prepare for Taiwan’s future, he said.
The third goal was to introduce Taiwan’s “third political force,” which includes the TPP, to Americans, he said.
Ko said that he would begin today to seek the TPP’s formal nomination as its candidate for the presidential election in January next year.
A press event would be held by May 20 after the party confirms his candidacy, he said.
The 63-year-old departed for the US on April 8 and visited New York, Boston, Washington and Houston, Texas.
During his time in the US capital, he spoke at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
In Houston on Wednesday, Ko visited government offices.
The TPP said that the Houston City Government designated Wednesday as “Taiwanese people’s day” to mark 62 years of sister-city ties with Taipei.
Houston was Taipei’s first sister city, with the two signing a sisterhood document in 1961, Ko said.
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