TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As the Kuomintang (KMT) formally ended its partnership with Taiwan People's Party (TPP), Shih Hsin University Associate Professor Yu Tzu-hsiang took to Facebook on Saturday (Nov. 25) to comment on the political development, likening the breakup to a happy occasion as it could lead to better choices.
The split occurred a day earlier, and shortly after, the KMT announced that candidates Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong would form the "Hou-Jaw ticket" to run for the president and vice president.
Recalling his encounters with Jaw 36 years ago, Yu recounted his time as an assistant producer for a television program where Jaw was the star host, praised as the "golden boy" of politics.
Yu was deeply impressed by Jaw's earnestness, confidence, professionalism, and enthusiastic attitude toward people during his time in television production.
He shared an anecdote about Jaw running back to his car to retrieve flyers for the audience when answering questions before a show recording, indicating Jaw's proactive approach to engaging with constituents.
Decades have passed since then, and while Yu acknowledged that Jaw is no longer the youthful "golden boy," he noted that Jaw's commitment and zeal have remained unaltered, if not more profound and steady.
Following the announcement of Hou's presidential candidacy, Jaw, currently serving as the chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC), has been presented as his running mate.
After their confirmation in a Central Standing Committee meeting, both candidates exchanged salutes, signaling a new phase in Taiwan's approaching political contest.