The birth rate in Taiwan is falling. Billionaire and presidential candidate Terry Gou wants to counteract this – with a proposal that has met with criticism.
Taiwanese presidential candidate Terry Gou wants to use an extraordinary measure to boost the birth rate in the country: couples who have a baby should get a free pet. Gou, founder of iPhone maker Foxconn, said in Taipei on Friday that giving new parents a cat or dog as a gift can help fight the declining birth rate.
As the British “Guardian” reported, Taiwan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. This is due to the high cost of living, difficulties in accessing childcare and traditional gender expectations. Rapid aging thus threatens the country’s economy and military defence.
“Birth a Child”
Meanwhile, more and more residents are getting a pet – because they prefer it to a child. However, Gou wants to fight against it. “Give birth to a child and I’ll let you raise another pet,” he said in a post on Formosa TV. He recently visited an animal shelter and felt that two problems could be solved at the same time. “If there’s no future birth rate, who’s going to take care of our furry friends?” he asked.
Government politicians and animal rights activists reportedly criticized the move. Gou doesn’t understand the pressures that new parents face, and his view that pets should be treated as material gifts also shows that he has no concept of animal rights.
Election is in January 2024
Gou announced last week that he would run as an independent candidate in the January 13, 2024 election. The 72-year-old criticized President Tsai Ing-wen’s ruling party for its China policy, which makes war more likely. “If I’m elected, I promise that Taiwan won’t become a second Ukraine,” said Gou, who wanted to run for the opposition Kuomintang Party in the last elections but lost the primaries.
The Kuomintang will run in the upcoming elections with the incumbent mayor of New Taipei, Hou Yu-ih. The ruling Progress Party (DPP) nominated the previous Vice President Lai Ching-te in April. President Tsai Ing-wen is no longer allowed to stand after two terms in office.
