The announcement by Taiwan billionaire and Foxconn chairman Terry Gou that he plans to run for Taiwan president has sparked concerns on the democratic island that his extensive business interests in China would make him Beijing's candidate. Gou announced last week that he would step down from heading Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry—a key Apple supplier and maker of iPhones—to campaign for the pro-China opposition Kuomintang (KMT) candidacy.
Gou's announcement, which reportedly came after a dream in which he was encouraged to make the move by the sea goddess Mazu, has prompted concerns that the island's democracy could be undermined by his extensive connections with the Chinese Communist Party.
