Two women to face off in Taiwan’s Presidential election

TAIPEI – Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang Party has named Legislative Yuan Vice President Hung Hsiu-chu as its Presidential candidate for the 2016 election. Hung becomes the first woman to carry the Party’s endorsement in a Presidential election. She now goes head-to-head with Tsai Ing-wen, Chairwoman of the Opposition Democratic Progressive Party, in the race for the Presidency.

 “Equitable wealth distribution, morality, openness and peace are my visions for the nation, while benevolence, honesty, respect and tolerance are the values I believe in,” Hung said in her acceptance speech.
“I will promote peaceful cross-strait development under the guidelines of the ROC Constitution, the 1992 consensus and the KMT political platform, by putting Taiwan and the people first while ensuring dignity and equality.”
Hung also addressed issues of global competition, domestic disharmony and social inequality. She pledged to realise a fair and just society bridging the divides of class, ethnicity, gender, generations, regions and wealth.
The DPP welcomed Hung’s nomination, with party spokesman Juan Chao-hsiung urging her to steer clear of smear tactics and to engage in rational discussions on issues affecting the nation and everyday people.
In addition to Hung and Tsai, former DPP Chairman and long-time political activist, Shih Ming-te, is running in the race. The Presidential and legislative elections will be held concurrently on January 16.  www.taiwantoday.tw (ATI).