Large crowds gather to support Kaohsiung mayor bid | #AsiaNewsNetwork

Large crowds gather to support Kaohsiung mayor bid | #AsiaNewsNetwork
Photo credit: The China Post
Photo credit: The China Post
Published 10 June 2019

TAIPEI (CNA) – Tens of thousands of people crowded Hualien City in eastern Taiwan on June 8 to support Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo- yu’s 2020 presidential bid.

Despite temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, Han, a strong presidential candidate from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), attracted supporters from across the nation.

Hualien Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei took the stage to root for Han.

If elected, Han said, he will push an improvement project for the Suhua Highway, a 118-kilometer route that hugs Taiwan’s cliffs along the east coast from Su’ao to Hualien. (NOWnews)

According to the rally organizer, more than 150,000 people gathered, mostly dressed in red and waving Republic of China flags.

The police department did not give an official estimate.

Accompanied by his wife Lee Chia-fen, Han walked through the crowd to the stage, while supporters called out “Hello! Mr. president!” In a speech, Han pledged to boost Hualien’s tourism after lashing out at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing it of failing to take care of the people.

“Hualien and Taitung have been neglected for too long,” Han said, adding that it is the main reason he decided to hold a rally in Hualien.

If elected, Han said, he will push an improvement project for the Suhua Highway, a 118-kilometer route that hugs Taiwan’s cliffs along the east coast from Su’ao to Hualien.

He also promised to extend National Highway 6 further east to Hualien.

Accompanied by his wife Lee Chia-fen, Han walked through the crowd to the stage, while supporters called out “Hello! Mr. president!” (NOWnews)

The development of Hualien, Taitung, and Yilan can no longer be ignored, Han contended, stressing that under his leadership, the people there will have better lives.

The 61-year-old mayor, who was elected in November last year, also said he will ensure cross-strait stability.

Chou Yung-hung, a former head of the KMT’s Hualien division, estimated that nearly 100 buses transported supporters from central and southern Taiwan to the city.

The KMT is set to release a final list of candidates to take part in its presidential primary June 10, but former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng, one of the party’s aspiring candidates, announced Thursday that he will not take part in the primary.

However, Wang said he has not yet decided if he will run as an independent candidate.

The 61-year-old mayor, who was elected in November last year, also said he will ensure cross-strait stability. (NOWnews)

The KMT plans to select its 2020 presidential candidate based on the results of five public opinion polls conducted by different polling firms July 5-15. The winner will be officially announced July 28.

Taiwan is scheduled to hold its next general election Jan. 11, 2020, which will also include a vote for the Legislature’s 113 seats.

https://chinapost.nownews.com/20190609-598288