Cheng Li-wen: No Private Friendship with Ko Wen-je, So I Wouldn't Claim We're Close
Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen clarified her previous statement about not needing to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, explaining that she lacks a private friendship with former TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je. This explanation aims to dispel external interpretations that sought to create unnecessary discord between them.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 14:03
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 14:31 (28 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 14:35 (3 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Taipei, May 3rd, Central News Agency reporter Liu Guantong) Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen today attended the book launch for New Party Taipei City Councilor Hou Han-ting alongside former Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je. Earlier, Cheng Li-wen had stated that she didn't need to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, which sparked public discussion. Cheng Li-wen specifically clarified that she wouldn't claim to be close with Ko Wen-je because they do not have a private friendship.
Hou Han-ting held his book launch today, attended by Cheng Li-wen, Ko Wen-je, former Kuomintang Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, New Party Chairman Wu Cheng-tien, and Kuomintang Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, among others, who offered congratulations to Hou Han-ting.
Cheng Li-wen had previously said in a radio interview that she didn't need to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, and mentioned Ko Wen-je's own difficulties and legal issues, which led to public debate. During her speech, Cheng Li-wen addressed Ko Wen-je, saying she owed him an apology for inadvertently causing him trouble, and explained that because she doesn't have a private friendship with Ko Wen-je, she wouldn't claim they were close.
Cheng Li-wen pointed out that it's impossible for her to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, which was a very simple response. However, many people seized the opportunity to exaggerate and over-interpret, hoping to create baseless conflicts between her and Ko Wen-je. She felt Ko Wen-je might also find it inexplicable, so she made this special clarification today.
Ko Wen-je did not respond to Cheng Li-wen's statements during his speech. He merely stated that Hou Han-ting's political discourse is sharp and his attitude humble and polite. He also told Wu Cheng-tien, who was sitting next to him, that he had invited Hou Han-ting to join the Taiwan People's Party multiple times, but had been rejected, though he would continue to invite him.
Ko Wen-je said that the Democratic Progressive Party's most important policy is now 'Anti-China Protecting Taiwan,' so he wanted to ask what the definition of 'China' is – does it refer to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the Communist Party of China, or citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, or Chinese culture? He believes it's time to start a discourse with the Democratic Progressive Party on this ideology.
Ko Wen-je believes that if the 'China' in 'Anti-China Protecting Taiwan' refers to Chinese culture, then figures like Mazu, Guan Gong, Baosheng Dadi, and Kaizhang Shengwang are all 'waishengren' (people from mainland China) and Chinese. Similarly, he questioned what 'Taiwan' in 'Protecting Taiwan' means, asserting that Taiwan is absolutely not exclusive to the Democratic Progressive Party.
Hou Han-ting stated that his ten years in politics were not for power, but more for a sense of responsibility. Founding Father Sun Yat-sen said not to be a high official, but to do great things. He is determined to do great things and will fight selflessly for the revitalization of the Chinese nation, the happiness of people on both sides of the strait, and the peace and prosperity of the Taiwanese people throughout his life. (Edited by Su Zhi-zong) 1150503
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(Taipei, May 3rd, Central News Agency reporter Liu Guantong) Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen today attended the book launch for New Party Taipei City Councilor Hou Han-ting alongside former Taiwan People's Party Chairman Ko Wen-je. Earlier, Cheng Li-wen had stated that she didn't need to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, which sparked public discussion. Cheng Li-wen specifically clarified that she wouldn't claim to be close with Ko Wen-je because they do not have a private friendship.
Hou Han-ting held his book launch today, attended by Cheng Li-wen, Ko Wen-je, former Kuomintang Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu, New Party Chairman Wu Cheng-tien, and Kuomintang Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, among others, who offered congratulations to Hou Han-ting.
Cheng Li-wen had previously said in a radio interview that she didn't need to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, and mentioned Ko Wen-je's own difficulties and legal issues, which led to public debate. During her speech, Cheng Li-wen addressed Ko Wen-je, saying she owed him an apology for inadvertently causing him trouble, and explained that because she doesn't have a private friendship with Ko Wen-je, she wouldn't claim they were close.
Cheng Li-wen pointed out that it's impossible for her to be close with everyone in the Taiwan People's Party, which was a very simple response. However, many people seized the opportunity to exaggerate and over-interpret, hoping to create baseless conflicts between her and Ko Wen-je. She felt Ko Wen-je might also find it inexplicable, so she made this special clarification today.
Ko Wen-je did not respond to Cheng Li-wen's statements during his speech. He merely stated that Hou Han-ting's political discourse is sharp and his attitude humble and polite. He also told Wu Cheng-tien, who was sitting next to him, that he had invited Hou Han-ting to join the Taiwan People's Party multiple times, but had been rejected, though he would continue to invite him.
Ko Wen-je said that the Democratic Progressive Party's most important policy is now 'Anti-China Protecting Taiwan,' so he wanted to ask what the definition of 'China' is – does it refer to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the Communist Party of China, or citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China, or Chinese culture? He believes it's time to start a discourse with the Democratic Progressive Party on this ideology.
Ko Wen-je believes that if the 'China' in 'Anti-China Protecting Taiwan' refers to Chinese culture, then figures like Mazu, Guan Gong, Baosheng Dadi, and Kaizhang Shengwang are all 'waishengren' (people from mainland China) and Chinese. Similarly, he questioned what 'Taiwan' in 'Protecting Taiwan' means, asserting that Taiwan is absolutely not exclusive to the Democratic Progressive Party.
Hou Han-ting stated that his ten years in politics were not for power, but more for a sense of responsibility. Founding Father Sun Yat-sen said not to be a high official, but to do great things. He is determined to do great things and will fight selflessly for the revitalization of the Chinese nation, the happiness of people on both sides of the strait, and the peace and prosperity of the Taiwanese people throughout his life. (Edited by Su Zhi-zong) 1150503
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to instantly grasp the latest information.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.