Ko Wen-je

Ko Wen-je (柯文哲; Kē Wénzhé) (born 6 August, 1959) is a politician in Taiwan (Republic of China). He currently serves as the Mayor of Taipei since 25 December 2014.

What matters most in terms of Cross-Strait relations is that both sides demonstrate goodwill to each other. Nothing works if they (both sides) hold grudges.

Many people say ‘first be friends, then get married’. But if you cannot even reach the first stage, it is hard to tell what comes afterward.

Quotes

• This is an ever-changing world. Seven years ago, who would have thought that the iPhone would change the world? A year ago, who would have thought that I would become the mayor of Taipei? Just a month ago, who would have thought that I would be standing here in front of you today? However, one thing remains unchanged, and that is the long-lasting friendship that Taipei and Shanghai have established.
  • Ko Wen-je (2015) cited in "Two sides of Strait are one family: Ko" on Taipei Times, 19 August 2015.

• If we work to (make) the welfare of the people our goal based on the concept that both sides (Taiwan and Mainland China) belong to one family, increase the exchange and cooperation between the two sides so as to construct a cross-strait community of a common destiny and to pursue a better future for people on the both sides, then certain deadlock we're facing at the moment can be broken.
  • Ko Wen-je (2017) cited in "UPDATED: Ko meets China's Taiwan chief but eases up on rhetoric" on The China Post, 3 July 2017.

• It (Mainland China) should be wiser in handling cross-strait affairs.
  • Ko Wen-je (2018) cited in "Taiwan denounces China for taking its allies, brutish suppression" on Focus Taiwan, 21 August 2018.

• I am willing to respect the 2020 Tokyo Olympics name rectification campaign (from "Chinese Taipei" to "Taiwan"), but I do not like being forced or to encounter people who want others to express their political ideas and do so with loud demands. Frankly speaking, I really dislike this kind of behavior.
  • Ko Wen-je (2018) cited in "Ko Wen-je refuses to sign Olympic name-change bid" on Taipei Times, 28 August 2018.

• (Despite some people's opposition to Ko's statement of "both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family") Some (Taiwanese) people do expect to continue exchanges with (Mainland) China.
  • Ko Wen-je (2018) cited in "Taipei mayor stresses need to reduce cross-strait tension" on Focus Taiwan, 20 December 2018.

• I used that phrase (both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family) in 2015 and last year (2017). Like I said at the very beginning, we should avoid throwing a wild card and should just stick to old practices.
  • Ko Wen-je (2018) cited in "Shanghai open to new ties: vice mayor" on Taipei Times, 21 December 2018.

• What matters most in terms of Cross-Strait relations is that both sides demonstrate goodwill to each other. Nothing works if they (both sides) hold grudges.
  • Ko Wen-je (2019) cited in "China's political formulas disallow ROC existence: MAC" on Focus Taiwan, 1 January 2019.

• There are various political views in Taiwan. People can hold different political views, (because) the most valuable elements of Taiwanese values are democracy, freedom, diversity and openness.
  • Ko Wen-je (2019) cited in "Fruit, vegetable prices will not fall: Ko" on Taipei Times, 1 February 2019.

• Many people say ‘first be friends, then get married’. But if you cannot even reach the first stage, it is hard to tell what comes afterward.
  • Ko Wen-je (2019) cited in "Ko says Han’s cross-strait aspirations far from easy" on Taipei Times, 14 February 2019.

• What matters most (for Taiwan in dealing with Mainland China) is exerting the positive influence of Taiwan and making (mainland) Chinese people envy life on the (Taiwan) island. This would be key to the survival of Taiwan.
  • Ko Wen-je (2019) cited in "Taipei Mayor says no need to infuriate China" on Taiwan News, 9 October 2019.

• Why would anyone (referring to the Tibetans) choose self-immolation to take their own life? That is weird. Why self-immolation? I do not get it.
  • Ko Wen-je (2019) cited in "Tibetan group demands apology from Ko Wen-je" on Taipei Times, 25 October 2019.

Quotes about Ko Wen-je

• Taipei Mayor Ko hopes to make Taipei the world's most Muslim-friendly tourist spot, and we are approaching that goal step-by-step.
  • Tsai Ping-kun (2021) cited in "Taipei looking forward to Muslim tourists when borders open: official" on Focus Taiwan, 14 December 2021.