Chairman Johnny Chiang visited Kaohsiung on August 7 to participate in the swearing-in and certification ceremony of young party cadres with lifelong memberships.
In his remarks, Chairman Chiang stated that joining the KMT is to support and defend the Republic of China, which are the core values and beliefs of the party. Now, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) only uses the ROC banner as a shell and does not necessarily identify with the ROC. Although the KMT is currently in the opposition, its responsibility is greater than ever. The KMT’s existence is to defend the ROC and inherit the revolutionary spirit.
Chairman Chiang emphasized that for the KMT, youth membership means new blood, spiritual inheritance, and a testimony to the party’s sustainable development. Chiang welcomed young friends in joining the KMT family and becoming partners of the Huang Fuxing “Veterans” department of the party. As long as the party upholds Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s philosophy and put the people first, the KMT will ultimately earn the support and recognition of the people.
Regarding this year’s U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference, Chairman Chiang stated that the conference is held annually and is expected to be held around October 10. After receiving an invitation from the United States last month, he is already preparing and organizing a delegation. It is hoped that through exchanges between Taiwan and the United States, the KMT may express its commitment to U.S.-Taiwan relations and exchange views on defense affairs and national security politics.
Regarding former New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu’s proposal to establish a preparatory office in the United States, is this a sign of discrepancy between Chu and Chairman Chiang on international issues? Chairman Chiang indicated that he has been actively preparing to establish a representative office in the United States since his election last year, but the United States saw an outbreak of the pandemic last year, and Taiwan this year. Although the establishment of a physical office has been impacted, the party’s representatives in the United States have been actively communicating.
According to Chairman Chiang, the most important thing between Taiwan and the United States is the actual exchange of opinions and the KMT’s voice being heard internationally, not only in Washington. The U.S. office alone cannot solve the current challenges of the KMT’s international communication. Since last year, the KMT has met with mainstream international media outlets as well as foreign representatives in Taiwan to exchange viewson various policy issues from time to time.. Chairman Chiang hopes to let the voice of the KMT be heard through earnest communication.
Chairman Chiang called upon all party members to work together so that the KMT may recover from the depths of electoral defeat last year. In the polls, the KMT’spopular support rating jumped from 12 percent to between 24 and 25 percent a year later, while the DPP fell from 40 percent to slightly over 20 percent. The gap between the two parties is obviously getting closer and closer. The KMT must continue to work hard, and the party humbly accepts any criticism or advice. The KMT must be courageous enough to make adjustments, try new ideas, and make changes, in the interest of the people at the right time. The performance of the 14 local governments is the basis of how the KMT will fare in future elections. The most important thing for the KMT is to make this platform and system function well. The party should not repeat failed experiences of the past.
Chairman Chiang also stated that all party candidates for chairmanship should be candid about every issue, including the question of whether to run for president in 2024. Every candidate should answer the questions frankly and give party members a free choice. Chairman Chiang believed that the wisdom of the party members will guide the party towards victory in 2024.
