Huang Kuo-chang Responds to Criticism, Emphasizes New Book Contains Only Facts

(Central News Agency, Reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, May 5th) Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang held the first launch event for his new book "Walking Towards the Light" today. The event was attended by TPP founding chairman Ko Wen-je and former China Broadcasting Company Chairman Jaw Shaw-kong, who both showed their support.

Before the event, Huang was interviewed by the media. When asked about the controversy surrounding his book's references to the 2018 protests, he said that what struck him most was not the recent politically motivated attacks that distort facts, but the path he chose to defend workers' rights, which led to differing views on the positioning of the New Power Party (NPP).

Huang stated that his choice of path was to not become a "Mini-Green" (a smaller version of the DPP), and that he respected the different ideas and strategies of others. He noted that after the controversial 2018 amendments to the Labor Standards Act, conflicts over the NPP's strategic direction began to emerge, and these conflicts became irreconcilable after the 2019 cigarette smuggling scandal.

Regarding the online posts by the NPP and Cho Kuan-ting, a New Taipei City councilor from the DPP and the husband of former legislator Hung Tzu-yung, questioning the book's content, Huang said that the person who distorted personal matters for political attacks "should be this Mr. Cho." He emphasized that the book contains objective facts that can withstand scrutiny, stating, "I will not succumb to such threats and intimidation."

During his speech, Jaw Shaw-kong mentioned that the concept of "no single party winning a majority" was first proposed by him when he was in the New Party. He also noted that the current regulations for legislative caucus negotiations were initiated by him. He acknowledged that while the TPP's eight seats make its position difficult, it has played a significant role in checks and balances, likening it to an asymmetric war where a small force must maximize its combat power with a "small vs. large" spirit.

When asked by the media about Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wen's visit to the US, Jaw said it was fortunate that the KMT and TPP had passed a NT$780 billion military procurement budget. "If it were only the NT$350 billion originally proposed by the KMT, how could she go to the US?" he asked. He added that it is a good thing that the US now seeks to engage with both the DPP and the KMT, stating, "More communication is always better."

Ko Wen-je said that he and Huang are very different, describing himself as an absolute "good boy" who never attended dances or joined clubs in college. He said he was forced into politics with no other options. He also mentioned that he was not close to Huang in the past, but their cooperation has deepened since last September, and they are now excellent partners. He believes that despite much criticism of the TPP, the party has grown significantly in political strength. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150605