TAIPEI: Terry Gou, founder of Apple supplier Foxconn, said on Monday he will not contest in Taiwan’s 2020 presidential election, in a surprise move amid rising tension with China.
Gou, Taiwan’s richest person with a net worth of US$7.6 billion according to Forbes, said in a statement late on Monday that he would not join the already competitive race, after losing the presidential nomination from the opposition, China-friendly Kuomintang party in mid-July.
Self-ruled Taiwan is set to hold presidential and legislative elections in January amid a delicate time with its giant neighbour China, which considers the island its own and has been ramping up pressure to squeeze Taiwan’s space.