President Ma Ying-jeou and Vice President Vincent C. Siew on the afternoon of May 31 released statements on the vice president's decision not to run for re-election next year.
The full text of the president's statement is as follows:
In late April, Vice President Siew expressed to me his intention to abide by his pledge to only serve one term as vice president. The vice president and I discussed this issue in depth and I asked him to continue on. Vice President Siew, however, was firm in his position. While I am deeply reluctant to do so, I nonetheless have decided to respect the wishes of the vice president.
I thank Vice President Siew for his assistance over the past four years, from the time we began our campaign to today. In particular, since the financial tsunami abated, Taiwan's unemployment rate has fallen steadily and the economic growth rate has hit a 23-year high. The nation is following through on the six major emerging industries initiative, and the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have signed the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. Behind all of these policies has been Vice President Siew, who is well versed in financial and economic matters. In addition, the vice president has been present at all important meetings at the Presidential Office and has always expressed his opinions without reserve, providing his decades of experience and wisdom. In addition, I have deeply benefited from the vice president's recommendations on several critical decisions.
I will continue to rely on Vice President Siew's support and look upon him as my most important and knowledgeable friend. As for the selection of a new running mate, a decision will be announced before June 25, when the Kuomintang holds a plenary session.
The full text of the vice president's statement is as follows:
In late April I communicated to President Ma my decision to abide by the promise I made four years ago to serve only one term. I will not seek re-election in 2012, but will return to private life at the conclusion of my term next May.
I have worked as a public servant throughout my career. Over the past 50 years, it has been my pleasure to see Taiwan progress from an underdeveloped to an advanced nation. I have worked hard over the past half century, and am full of gratitude to the nation for nurturing me, to my superiors for their guidance, to my colleagues for their assistance, and to my compatriots for their support.
A single person's lifespan is limited, but the nation will go on forever. The Republic of China's pursuit of long-term stability requires persistence on the part of its people. Our forebears have passed down to us the maxim that each generation must be prepared to hand matters over to the next, and it is with this in mind that I now pass the baton to the next generation. I will only serve in office for one term. However, national development cannot be achieved overnight. On the contrary, it takes decades. Consequently, political stability is a prerequisite for a nation's development. President Ma, who is in the prime of life, has devoted all his time and energy since taking office in May 2008 to achieve peace in the Taiwan Strait and lead Taiwan to an economic recovery. President Ma needs a second term to further complete his mission and I urgently hope that all compatriots will strongly support him.
During the remaining year of my term in office, I will continue to do my best. I will participate in the president's re-election campaign, and beg my compatriots for their continued guidance and support.