The KMT Chairmanship election will be held on the 25th. On Sunday, the four candidates came together in Central Taiwan for a second round of policy debates. Cross-strait issues were at the center. After being labelled pro-unification, dark horse candidate and former National Taiwan University professor Chang Ya-chung vehemently denied that he was for immediate unification. Meanwhile, more and more local leaders have come out to voice their support for former New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu.
Unhappy that he was branded a proponent of immediate unification during the first round of the policy debate, Chang Ya-chung hit back at Eric Chu who made the allegation.
Chang Ya-chung
KMT chair candidate
I proposed a plan to resolve hostilities and create peace across the Strait. How could I be for unification by force? How could I be for the immediate unification? They say I''m an extremist, they say I am very extreme. What exactly makes me extreme? I may be very active in my views, but I''m no extremist."
Eric Chu
KMT chair candidate
In his memorandum for peace, Professor Chang suggests the adoption of "one-China, joint interpretations," and that we should avoid using the Republic of China. He would have us be called China Taipei. For the Chinese Communists and for Beijing, that would be the perfect path from "one country, two systems" to unification.
Johnny Chiang
KMT chair candidate
Rather than calling someone in the party pro-China and a traitor of Taiwan or an American stool pigeon, we should speak directly to China. If I''m elected, I will invite people in leadership roles to go to China for an icebreaker. I myself am a child of Taiwan, a child of Taichung, and on behalf of the KMT, I will hold high-level talks with the Chinese Communists.
Meanwhile, Pan-Blue local leaders, including Yunlin County Commissioner Chang Li-shan and Nantou County Commissioner Lin Ming-chen are starting to come out to rally behind Eric Chu.
Chang Ya-chung
KMT chair candidate
If Ms. Chang Li-shan can fully understand what I''m proposing, I believe that she''ll come to believe that I am actually the candidate who best serves the interests of both Yunlin County and the Republic of China.
Eric Chu
KMT chair candidate
I thank commissioner Chang Li-shan and commissioner Lin Ming-chen. We will seek the support of many others, as well.
According to the latest poll conducted on Pan-Blue groups, Eric Chu is currently in the lead with Chang Ya-chung close behind, and incumbent KMT chairman Johnny Chiang is in third place.