Biography
Born to a Hakka family in Chungli City, Taoyuan County, Taiwan in 1939, Wu received a bachelor degree in business administration from National Cheng Kung University in 1962. He entered politics when he was elected into the Taiwan Provincial Council in the Taoyuan County electoral district from 1968 to 1972, and later Taoyuan County Magistrate from 1972 to 1976.
Wu was formerly the first vice-chairman of the main opposition Kuomintang party. After Chairman Ma Ying-jeou resigned, he became the acting chairman. Wu, however, subsequently resigned his post as acting chairman and member of the Central Standing Committee in order to compete in the chairman election scheduled for April 7, 2007. Ma announced his support for Wu for chairmanship.
Wu eventually won the party chairmanship election, garnering about 90% of votes cast, defeating KMT Legislator Hung Hsiu-chiu. Of all eligible voters, about 53% voted.
Outside of Taiwanese politics, Wu is a prominent and practicing Buddhist and plays an active role in the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. Before he ascended to the KMT chairmanship, Wu served as the second worldwide president of the Buddha's Light International Association.
Read more about this topic: Wu Po-hsiung
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