Taiwan Today

Vice Premier Eric Li-luan Chu said he will run in the year-end mayoral election for New Taipei City if his services are required by the ruling Kuomintang. “I see it as my duty, not my fate, to run,” Chu said during an interview with the “China Times” March 30. “When circumstances require me to do something, I will put my own considerations aside, and try to do my best.” “I do not subscribe to a belief in fate, but I do believe in carrying out one’s duties. I hope that by fulfilling my duties, I can also control my fate,” he explained. The vice premier admitted that he will have a difficult task ahead of him if he is asked to run, and that he dislikes election campaigns. However, he noted that being the leader of a local government gives him a “great sense of accomplishment.” Chu served as the magistrate of Taoyuan County from 2001 to 2009 before being appointed vice premier. “In my years as a magistrate, I was really able to resolve problems experienced by the people. It was a difficult challenge, but immensely rewarding.” The main joy of being a magistrate is the satisfaction that comes from carrying out policies and seeing them through, Chu said. Using baseball to explain what he meant, the vice premier noted that when he was magistrate of Taoyuan County, he worked hard to promote baseball, and as a result during his term in office the county had 114 baseball teams. The elementary and middle school teams won national championships, and Chu was able to build a world-class baseball stadium in less than one year. Chu then spoke of the transition from vice premier to mayoral candidate using baseball metaphors. “It’s like I’m being switched from second to first base, or like when a shortstop is assigned to play left field. Just different types of experiences, that’s all.” When asked to comment on the doubts expressed regarding his role change from vice premier to mayoral candidate, Chu responded with more baseball analogies. Team spirit means not caring too much about what position one is assigned. “I’ll accept whatever role the party gives me,” he said. The Executive Yuan decreed last year that five new “special municipalities” would be established in Taiwan effective Jan. 1, 2011. The current Taipei County will then become New Taipei City. Chou Hsi-wei, the present magistrate of Taipei County, has said publicly that he will not run for mayor of New Taipei City. (HZW)