TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Sun Chien-ping (孫健萍), a member of the Kuomintang's (KMT, 國民黨) Central Standing Committee, announced his bid for the party chairmanship on Wednesday (Jan. 8). He aims to challenge the current leader, Eric Chu (朱立倫), by promising reform and a departure from the party's entrenched culture.
Sun declared his candidacy outside the KMT headquarters while Chu presided over the Central Standing Committee meeting. Sun emphasized his commitment to reform, good conduct, and establishing a reasonable system. The KMT plans to hold its chairmanship election in August or September.
Sun stated that low points are the beginning of transformation, as former U.S. President Kennedy emphasized in his 1961 inaugural address about passing the torch to a new generation. He advocates for moving away from the "old politics" of palace intrigues and secret negotiations towards a "new politics" of sincerity and courage.
At 50, Sun drew from his humble beginnings and practical experience, claiming these attributes set him apart from the party's establishment figures. Sun declared that he would challenge Chu, and if elected, he would transform the KMT into a party of genuine civic participation, overturning its image as an elitist party among the youth.