ELECTION 2024/Ko touts transport and industrial policy at Taichung campaign rally

Taipei, Jan. 6 (CNA) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Saturday pledged to improve Taichung's public transportation and boost the local precision machinery industry to create more jobs in the central municipality.

Attending a campaign rally at a Mazu temple in Taichung's Dali District, Ko appeared from behind a huge crowd at around 9:25 p.m. and began making his way to the stage. Moved along by bodyguards and police officers, the TPP chairman high-fived supporters as he pushed his way through the throng of people.

During his speech, the former Taipei mayor said if elected, the first development he would push for in Taichung, Taiwan's central hub, would be transportation.

He also vowed to upgrade cargo and passenger handling volume at the Port of Taichung, which he said were less than ideal.

Ko undertook to build an integrated transport hub on vacant land between Taichung High Speed Rail Station and Taiwan Railways Administration Taichung Station, and extend the blue line of the Taichung MRT to coastal areas.

Ko said he would improve transportation links to Taichung International Airport so people living in Taichung, Changhua and Nantou could easily access the airport.

Furthermore, Ko promised to develop Taichung's precision machinery industry around Dadu Mountain, which he called a "hidden champion" of Taiwan, thereby creating more jobs so young Taichung residents will be able to return to their hometown, find work and start a family.

The rally reached its climax when Ko vowed to "win back Taiwan and give it back to the people."

"Taiwan is not exclusive to the Democratic Progressive Party, it belongs to all the people of Taiwan. Similarly, the national flag does not belong exclusively to the Kuomintang (KMT), it belongs to the people of Taiwan," he said, sending supporters into a frenzy.