The chair of Foxconn Technology Group, Terry Gou, announced Wednesday that he is throwing his hat into the opposition KMT’s presidential primary.
Gou is the wealthiest person in Taiwan. His company, Foxconn, is the world’s largest provider of electronics manufacturing services and the manufacturer of parts for Apple products.
Gou had said Monday that he would take two days to consider a run. Among his concerns has been the will of the gods.
On Wednesday morning, Gou visited the Ci-Hui Temple in Banqiao and the Wu Sheng Temple in Danshui. Gou said Mazu, the deeply venerated goddess of the sea, has advised him to do more for the people of Taiwan.
Gou joins an increasingly crowded list of contenders looking for a shot at the presidency in 2020. Already jockeying to represent the KMT are former Legislature President Wang Jin-pyng and former New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu. Meanwhile, President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking reelection with her Democratic Progressive Party, though she may have to fend off a primary challenge by former Premier William Lai to make it onto the party’s ticket.