Taiwan Heiress Claims Politics is Like Selling Insurance, According to Radio Free Asia

Shin Kong heiress and Taiwan People’s Party vice-presidential nominee Cynthia Wu remained largely silent after being named as a running mate for Ko Wen-je in the upcoming election, offering only a few brief words. However, during a recent interview on RFA Mandarin’s “Asia Wants to Talk” chat show, Wu demonstrated her multilingual skill, effortlessly switching between Mandarin, Taiwanese, and English, to talk at length about her experiences on the campaign trail and her vision for Taiwan’s future. Prior to her involvement in the presidential race, Wu was mostly known for being an appointed member of Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan and the granddaughter of Wu Ho-su, the founder of the Shin Kong business empire. The conglomerate has expanded to operate in the financial, security, manufacturing, consumer, medical, and philanthropy sectors. Wu’s decision to join the presidential race came as a significant surprise, even to herself. When asked about her nomination, she had no prior knowledge and expressed that she had just found out about it on day 50 of the campaign. Wu, who was previously a dual citizen of the U.S. and Taiwan, renounced her U.S. citizenship in 2014. She has been deemed an unexpected choice by many, considering her background as a business heiress and the perceived lack of experience in politics. Despite being criticized and labeled by some as a “princess,” Wu highlighted her diverse range of experiences and accomplishments. In addition to her business expertise, she holds educational qualifications in relevant fields, including international relations, art history, and literature. Furthermore, she has professional experience working as an investment analyst and an assistant to a U.K. Conservative Party legislator. Despite challenges and controversies, Wu remains focused on her political aspirations, aiming to make a meaningful contribution. While some have criticized her for gaffes and speculation about her Chinese lineage, Wu emphasized her commitment to her identity as well as her dedication to Taiwan’s well-being. Remaining focused on her goals, Wu shared her vision for a peaceful and independent Taiwan and suggested diplomatic communication with China. Although she acknowledged that her experiences primarily stem from the business sector, she sees her foray into politics as a natural extension of her work toward realizing her aspirations.