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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》Chu and Hung hold meeting to improve their relations
Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） presidential candidate Eric Chu, left, hugs Deputy Legislative Speaker and former KMT presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu in New Taipei City yesterday. Photo: Chen Wei-tsung, Taipei Times
By Emily Chen, Aaron Tu and Jake Chung / Staff reporters, with Staff writer
Chinese Nationalist Party （KMT） presidential candidate Eric Chu （朱立倫） and former KMT presidential candidate Hung Hsiu-chu （洪秀柱） held a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday evening in an effort to improve relations and present party unity in the build-up to next month’s elections.
Hung, previously the only party member to put herself forward for the KMT candidacy, despite calls for Chu and other party heavyweights to fill the position, was in October ousted by the party in favor of Chu.
Appearing yesterday at the Legislative Yuan in Taipei to chair a meeting, Legislative Speaker Hung said that she had been in low spirits since October because she was “worried for the KMT,” adding that Chu had been sincere in his efforts to “break the ice,” visiting her many times and expressing his apologies.
When asked why the meeting was made known to the media, Hung said that the media would need to ask Chu.
Hung also confirmed reports that former Hung campaign office director-general Yu Teng-fang （余騰芳） had been extremely active in the efforts leading to the meeting.
Hung said she did not ask for much and simply wanted the public to know that the KMT was a political party with a democratic system, adding that she also wanted members to reflect on how to adhere to the founding spirit of the party when determining reforms, as well as allowing younger generations to feel that they have a chance to succeed in the party.
While Hung agreed that the KMT was in for a tough fight in the presidential election, due to Chu’s late start and lack of unity on the local level, it was not impossible for a complete reversal of fortune.
The party must maintain solidarity and be able to propose good policies, Hung said.
Hung dismissed a question over whether her recent actions were aimed toward a bid for party chairperson and quoted Confucius, saying: “Worry not that one is without position, but worry what one could do with the position.”
Hung accepted Chu’s invitation to head his campaign’s adviser group.
Meanwhile, DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen （蔡英文） said that Chu seemed to be focusing more attention on party affairs than prioritizing the rights of the people.
The DPP is confident about the campaign and the party will continue to maintain the stability of the party’s campaign efforts, Tsai said.
In response to comments made by Taipei City Mayor Ko Wen-je （柯文哲）, former vice premier Chiou I-jen （邱義仁） said the current election was “boring” in the sense that neither side was willing to innovate.
Tsai said she was unclear what Chiou actually said, but added that the DPP campaign team is united and up to the challenge.
With only 43 days left until elections, every minute is precious, but we have our own pace in terms of the campaign, Tsai said, adding that the party seeks to strengthen its ties to the public and maximize its support.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
