Han Kuo-yu

"In the future, there will be no blue-green (KMT or DPP) partisanship in Kaohsiung. All-out efforts will be made to pump up the (city) economy."

"I am no ecstasy pill (like what did the DPP official Lin Hsi-yao said). It is the public (people of Kaohsiung) who can bear no more (about the lack of prospects in Kaohsiung under the DPP government)."

"I perfectly understand how big a decision Kaohsiung voters have made to elect me mayor because I have only lived here for a short time. I promise to build a clean government, and use whoever is good for the city, regardless of their political affiliations, and do all I can to make Kaohsiung rich and great."

"If a 93-year-old politician (Mahathir Mohamad) can create a miracle on 9 May (2018) by ousting a corrupt regime that had ruled Malaysia for 61 years, nothing is impossible in politics."

"There are too many political issues (in Taiwan), he (bread master Wu Pao-chun) is not the one to deal with them, just let him do a good job in the bread profession."

"Both sides of the Taiwan Strait (Taiwan and Mainland China) have their differences of opinion. I hope people on both sides could help, protect and give their blessings to a simple businessman (bread master Wu Pao-chun) who wishes to develop his business without becoming too involved in politics."

"Fortune's wheel turns every 30 years. And now, it is time for Kaohsiung to be the master and the focus of the Chinese community worldwide."

"What you (Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Ming-tong) have in mind are rigid restrictions, while what I have in mind is economic development. Rest assured, my city (Kaohsiung) will not touch anything related to diplomacy or national defense. Kaohsiung will only be an 'economic animal'."

"There are 'two undeniable' that are colliding with one another: "Do not doubt the Chinese Communist Party's determination to recover Taiwan" and "Do not doubt Taiwanese's determination to pursue democracy and freedom"."

"Kaohsiung is opening its arms to all cities, nations and territories of the world."

"Clearly, agricultural products and seafood from Taiwan are not promoted enough in Hong Kong."

"Your questions are very good (referring to the three questions asked by Post journalist questions regarding Beijing's "one country, two systems" governing principle, the "1992 consensus" on cross-strait relations and whether he would run for ROC 2020 presidential election). Have you tasted the fruit we brought from Kaohsiung? Haven't you? I have made it very clear that this trip (to Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland CHina) is a trip of economy and friendship. Thanks for your three questions."

"I'm bringing along my wife, my deputy mayor and my team to Hong Kong, under the watch of 10 city councilors. Am I really going to sell out Kaohsiung (to Mainland China)? I'm only here (in Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Xiamen) to sell fruits and fish products."

"Macau has its own development strategies while Kaohsiung also has its own development strategies. Anyway, we are amazed that Macau's current Gross Domestic Product per capita ranks second in the world after having risen from HK$10,000 or so to over HK$80,000 in the past two decades, and Kaohsiung will strive to catch up."

"Now I reiterate that I support the 1992 consensus ... I hope there will be more exchanges across the strait and people will become good friends."

"Today's Xiamen is a beautiful garden city, and we hope Kaohsiung will get better as well."

"Whoever can secure Taiwan's safety and make its citizens rich, then this is the one who will be a great president for Taiwan. Please support this person (in the 2020 Republic of China presidential election)."

"Fighting for the economy is not a slogan. Show the results. It's already been three years (since President Tsai Ing-wen took office). I don't care whatever reason or excuse you use, the point is how do the ordinary (Taiwanese) people feel? Too many Taiwanese people feel financially hard-hit. This is something people cannot be deceived about"

"I have witnessed for myself that Taiwan's progress has been idling for 20 years due to divisive and malfunctioning partisan politics. I could say the government of Taiwan is not dominated by public servants but by party servants."

"I love the Republic of China (ROC), and I am willing to take all the responsibilities as long as it can help boost the development of the ROC."

"Given the current situation, I cannot be included in opinion polls on the presidential election. As Kaohsiung mayor, I shoulder the expectations of Kaohsiung residents. If (KMT) party headquarters or the Central Standing Committee needs Han Kuo-yu in some way to make all kinds of arrangements, including opinion polls, I will respect their decision."

"For 2020 (Republic of China presidential election), Han Kuo-yu hereby announces that he is ready to take on any important position and willing to risk life and limb to defend the ROC."

"I have reiterated the four points time and again and very clearly: Defend the Republic of China; reject "one country, two systems"; love freedom and democracy; stand with peace and prosperity."

"This tree has a hole with water in it where mosquitoes could breed!"

"The (2020 Republic of China presidential) election is a choice between a peaceful Taiwan Strait or a Taiwan Strait filled with crisis."

"The people will make a most sacred and solemn choice (in the upcoming 2020 Republic of China presidential election) for the fate of our country in the next four years. We will choose whether to defend the Republic of China (ROC) or destroy the ROC."

"We shall strive to create another Taiwan Miracle, where Taiwan is safe and the people are rich."

"This is a sacred presidential election (in 2020). It's not just for a personal victory for Han Kuo-yu, and it's not just for our Kuomintang. It's for our country, the Republic of China. We need to wholeheartedly create a safe Taiwan, where the people are rich, a Taiwan miracle, an economic miracle."

"Our products are sold at higher prices and we lost (Mainland) Chinese tourists not traveling in group tours (to Taiwan). Without people coming in or goods going out, the (Taiwan) economy cannot grow."

"We believe the government should truly serve the people."

"I was concerned on a daily basis about solving Kaohsiung's financial difficulties and one day it occurred to me that Itu Aba Island falls under Kaohsiung's jurisdiction."

"Taiwan is one step away from becoming like North Korea: completely locked out of things. We need to break free from this situation. If there is no threat to national security, we need to open the doors wide open."

"(The current cross-strait policy under President Tsai Ing-wen) is like a runaway train. Tsai's cross-strait policy is simply 'hatred of (Mainland) China, self-harm to Taiwan.'"

"People who commit murder in Taiwan should be sent back to the country for trial, period.'"

"Thank you very much for the (Kaohsiung) mayor (elect Han Kuo-yu)'s support of my profession. I am a professional baker. The world of bread is simple and happy. I like and enjoy making friends with you through bread. I am honored that many young people are willing to enter this industry because of me. I have a responsibility to create a bigger market for young people. Finally, Wu Pao-chun is still Wu Pao-chun. I am a very simple baker."

"Although Han (Kuo-yu) and I belong to different political camps, we both possess ROC national identification cards. Like I once said, the distance between the pan-blue (Kuomintang) and pan-green camps (Democratic Progressive Party), however wide it is, is narrower than that between the pan-blue camp and the red camp (Communist Party of China)."

"If Han Kuo-yu is unfortunately elected (as) president (of the Republic of China) next year (2020), more visitors will arrive (in Taiwan) and exports will increase. People will become rich, but the People's Liberation Army will come in (to Taiwan). It will be a disaster for Taiwanese people and everyone will die together. Is that what you want?"

"Han (has managed to) mobilized the middle class and the lower middle class (in Kaohsiung) without paying money. Han Kuo-yu is the only candidate who has a really strong appeal to the lower middle-class voters."

"The KMT and Han should clearly explain what they support, what their China policy is and what their views on Taiwan's sovereignty are."