mayors-of-new-taipei-city

"Hou (Yu-ih) is a civil servant, the embodiment of justice and an iron mayor. He is going to be 'iron president' next year (2024). He will tackle injustice and political corruption by resuming the special investigator system so that we can have a fair and just country again."

"The head of a campaign office is just a title."

"There is (currently) indeed a shortage of surgical masks (in New Taipei due to COVID-19 outbreak). There is a lack of transparency on information about mask manufacturers and distribution. The (Republic of China) central government should clearly tell people how many masks each person can purchase."

"Although Taiwan guarantees freedom of speech, it is still a democratic country ruled by law."

"Taiwanese independence has no legal basis, so I oppose it. Unity in Taiwan should not be damaged by ideology. The Republic of China is our country and Taiwan is our home. We have to take good care of our home as well as our country."

"We are all born here in Taiwan and are nurtured by this land. It is important for Taiwanese to set aside their differences and work together for a better future. It is my dream to unite Taiwan."

"Taiwan will not be a trouble-maker, but instead will play a role in facilitating peace and reducing risks in the region."

"We do not need more fighter jets flying across the Taiwan Strait. Instead, we need more passenger jets and good timing to create peace."

"As a (former) police chief, I was in gunfights multiple times and have protected Taiwan with my life. People can testify that my life is intertwined with the safety of this nation."

"Dialogue between Taipei and Beijing is also a crucial way to defuse crises and ensure peace and stability. I support the 1992 consensus, the approach to cross-strait dialogue agreed to by Taiwanese officials and counterparts from the mainland, consistent with the (Republic of China) Constitution."

"My national defense policy is to prepare for war, but not to provoke."

"Using multiple warnings (text messages and broadcasts) will let people become aware of an (nuclear) incident instantly, and thus make timely and appropriate decisions to protect themselves."

"The Republic of China has always adhered to the path of democracy and freedom and will surely do so in the future."

"There is no right or wrong method (for party's primary election). As long as we choose the most appropriate method at the time, that is the right method."

"It's time that six decades of separation (between Taiwan and Mainland China) and previous generations' confrontation be ended. Let the current and the future generations choose common development and jointly create a situation of mutual benefits."

"(Shinzo) Abe is forever Taiwan's good friend."

"Only through dialogue and exchanges and mutual respect can we promote goodwill and resolve the estrangement between the two sides of the strait."

"I had no option to turn down the (Vice Premiership) appointment or make other choices as the country needs me at a time when it is facing the most trying challenge it ever has faced."

"I am always with all of you and everyone's old pal. But it's better not to call me old."

"The 930,000-odd voters that supported my rival over me and the greater number of voters (than in the 2010 election) who chose not to take part in this (2014) election or were unwilling to come to express support, whatever the reason - as the incumbent mayor, my city government team and everyone else will certainly review (this election) with humility."

"This is the time we have to make a decision (to replace Hung Hsiu-chu as the KMT candidate for 2016 ROC presidential election), and it is a decision we have to make."

"The KMT after 17 October (2015) will be a united KMT. As chairman, I cannot let the party become history."

"To safeguard the KMT’s reins of government and majority in the legislature, as well as the future of the public and the Republic of China, I must apologize (for breaking my promise to serve as New Taipei City mayor in full term) to each New Taipei City resident who supports me. I want to tell every Taiwanese and resident of the city that I am doing this (going for the 2016 ROC presidential election) because I have to protect the ROC we love, the democratic politics we have fought to preserve and our healthy democracy of checks and balances."

"I had previously stated on many occasions that I would not run in the 2016 presidential election. But at this crucial moment, it was a decision I had no choice but to make in order to improve the health of Taiwan's democracy."

"Then I remembered the phrase 'do not forsake your original intentions' — which was why I decided 17 years ago to run as a legislator and make changes to our society to make the lives of the next generation better and give Taiwan's future more hope."

"The development of Cross-Strait relations is not decided unilaterally by any one side. It depends on a consensus on both sides."

"I have learned to never give up, to take the necessary risks to win and to seek victory amid defeat. This is the spirit of Taiwan. We stick with it to the end and never quit."

"We should harbor a positive mentality to any cross-strait development and exchange."