He entered the race as an independent candidate.

Gou reiterated his desire to unseat the Democratic Progressive Party and pledged to protect peace across the Taiwan Strait, as well as work for the interests of citizens as it pertains to protecting labor and health insurance funds, reports Taiwan News.

Gou is still required to collect 290,000 signatures to officially qualify as a presidential candidate within 45 days of completing his application.

Gou said that on a recent trip to the U.S., he billed himself as a "problem solver" and someone who could ensure peaceful relations with China.