KMT's VP candidate shares softer side with young voters

Taipei, Dec. 13 (CNA) Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT) vice presidential candidate, Jaw Shau-kong (趙少康), opened up about his life journey and offered advice during a youth forum, aiming at engaging with young voters in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

"Why did I choose to run for office? Because I am hopelessly optimistic and have never run for the office of vice president before," said the media personality.

Compared to Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), the vice president candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who spoke at the forum on Tuesday with a PowerPoint presentation, Jaw was more improvisational.

"Who hasn't done something they haven't done before? I am willing to do what hasn't been done, as a motivation for you all," he said, as the KMT struggles to appeal to young voters.

Drawing on the example of Wang Yung-ching (王永慶), a late tycoon renowned for his business acumen, Jaw remarked that Wang had not received much education but held the belief that many things are possible.

"People like us, who have read so many books, tend to overthink, yet accomplish nothing," he said, saying to those in the audience that "regardless of how many books you've read, remember not to view everything in a negative light."

When faced with unfortunate events, it might feel like the sky is falling. However, upon reflection, it can become a bittersweet memory, the charismatic candidate said.

Referring to his time in the military, the 73-year-old Jaw mentioned that although he endured a lot during that period, it is now something he and his peers proudly reminisce about.

The students, however, posed challenging questions, seeking clarification on how the KMT's China policy differs from that of the DPP.

Jaw said he believes Taiwan should adopt a balanced approach toward Beijing, given the geopolitical situation.

The DPP's strategy is pro-America and anti-China, while the KMT's strategy is pro-America and engaging with China, he said.

However, as the KMT has not always strongly opposed Beijing, it has been labeled pro-China, the former lawmaker and long-term political commentator lamented.

"If you ask me about cross-strait relations, basically, peace is the most crucial aspect --avoiding war is of utmost importance," he said.

In terms of policy, he said that if he fails to advocate for the cabinet system of government after being elected, he will step down from the vice president position, receiving a round of applause.

In Jaw's early years in politics, he was a standout in the KMT, with his ability to articulate policy points and fresh image, earning him the moniker "political golden boy."

Jaw, now the chairman of Taiwan's Broadcasting Corporation of China, left the KMT in 1993 to form the New Party, in what was a split from the KMT by members of a faction known as the New Kuomintang Alliance.

However, in February 2021 Jaw rejoined the KMT and was seen by some influential members as a prime candidate for the party's chairmanship and its 2024 presidential ticket.

Before the forum, Jaw told the press that the powerful synergy between himself and KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) positions them as the strongest pairing among the presidential tickets.

This remark was made in response to inquiries about KMT internal polling.

However, the DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) and his VP pick Hsiao are the front-runners, based on the most recent polls, though that lead has fallen in recent weeks.

Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections will be held on Jan. 13, 2024, and 19.5 million voters are eligible to vote, including 1,028,000 first-time voters.

This was the second of three vice president Q&A events mainly organized by National Chengchi University Student Association. The third and final event will feature Wu Hsin-ying (吳欣盈), the vice president candidate of the smaller opposition Taiwan People's Party, on Friday.