Wu Po-hsiung (Chinese: 吳伯雄; pinyin: Wú Bóxióng; born 19 June 1939) is a Taiwanese politician who was the chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT). He has been the Interior Minister (1984–1988), Mayor of Taipei (1988–1990), Secretary-General to the President (1991–1996), and Chairman of the KMT (2007–2009). Wu was nominated as Honorary Chairman of the Kuomintang when he was succeeded by Ma Ying-jeou as the Chairman of the Kuomintang.
On 15 October 1987, Wu announced the lifting of prohibition of ROC citizens to travel to the Mainland Area. Citizens were allowed to do so for family visits.[4]
After Chairman Ma Ying-jeou resigned on 13 February 2007, he became the acting chairman. Wu, however, subsequently resigned his post as acting chairman and member of the Central Standing Committee on 14 March 2007 in order to compete in the KMT chairmanship by-election scheduled for 7 April 2007. Ma announced his support for Wu for chairmanship.[5]
Wu eventually won the party chairmanship election and became KMT Chairman on 11 April 2007. He garnered about 90% of votes cast, defeated KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chu. Of all eligible voters, about 53% voted.[6]
Prior to departure, Wu said that we would not mention the "Republic of China" if the Beijing government did not mention the "People's Republic of China" as well. If Beijing was to refrain from mentioning the One China principle, then he also would not talk about the 1992 Consensus.
The delegations visited several cities. In Beijing, they visited the Guangdong-Guangxi House, where Sun Yat-sen was elected as Chairman of Kuomintang in 1912. In Hangzhou, they visited the Manao Temple, where a museum of Lien Heng is located. In Nanjing, they visited Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. And in Chongqing, they attended the Taiwan Week celebration organized by Taiwanese businessmen doing business in China.[7]
Among the delegates are three of Kuomintang vice chairpersons, who are Lin Fong-cheng, Chiang Hsiao-yen and Hung Hsiu-chu.[9]
Taiwanese branch of Bank of China
The opening ceremony of the first Taiwanese branch of Bank of China.
On 27 June 2012, Wu attended the opening ceremony of the first Taiwanese branch of the Bank of China. The ceremony was held in Taipei and Wu was accompanied by Straits Exchange Foundation Chairman Chiang Pin-kung, Bank of China President Li Lihui and the bank's Taiwan branch General Manager Tsai Rong-jun.[10]
During a meeting between Wu and visiting YunnanCCP committee secretary, Qin Guangrong, to Taiwan in mid September 2013, Wu said that Taiwan and Mainland China should put aside political questions and disagreements to facilitate bilateral exchanges. He said that by showing patience, setting aside differences and focusing on economic cooperation and cultural exchanges, more common areas such as lifestyle and values would emerge.
During the meeting, Qin encouraged Taiwanese businessmen to invest in Yunnan and make use of the province as the gateway to Southeast Asia and South Asia, creating business opportunities. He added that Yunnan welcomes Taiwanese farmers, township wardens, teachers, students, media and religious and business representatives. Qin's delegation, which consisted of more than 200 people, participated in several activities while in Taiwan, such as promoting bilateral exchanges in education, culture, technology, tourism and civil aviation.[13]
Outside of Taiwanese politics, Wu is a prominent and practicing Buddhist and plays an active role in the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. Before he ascended to the KMT chairmanship, Wu served as the second worldwide president of the Buddha's Light International Association.[15]
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wu Po-hsiung.
Taiwan (Republic of China)
