Taipei mayor-elect Ko charts neutral course in choice of top adviser
Taipei mayor-elect Dr Ko Wen-je yesterday invited a disaffected former Kuomintang heavyweight to be his top adviser in a surprise move observers said would greatly aid Ko.
Taipei mayor-elect Dr Ko Wen-je yesterday invited a disaffected former Kuomintang heavyweight to be his top adviser in a surprise move observers said would greatly aid Ko in the next four years as head of the city's government.
Ko met James Soong Chu-yu, a one-time KMT force who went on to found the People First Party, during his first visit to local party leaders.
The rich political and administrative experience of James Soong Chu-yu will help Ko Wen-je do a good job, despite his [inexperience] in political and administrative affairs
Ko bowed deeply to show his respect before seeking advice from Soong, much-praised for his performance in running the now defunct Taiwan Provincial Government.
"The [former] provincial government was recognised by all people in Taiwan as the best government team," Ko said, adding he hoped Soong "could accept our invitation to be the top adviser of the city government".
Soong accepted, saying he was willing to serve without pay. He told Ko it was possible for one person to run for mayor, but impossible for a government to be run by just one person.
During the mayoral race, Soong favoured Ko's bid, refusing to join the camp of Ko's KMT opponent, Sean Lien Sheng-wen, son of KMT honorary chairman Lien Chan.