The billionaire Terry Gou, whose company is best known for manufacturing iPhones, announced Wednesday he would run for Taiwan’s presidency, saying his bid had received a divine blessing — from a Chinese sea goddess.

Foxconn founder Terry Gou has claimed divine endorsement for his bid to become Taiwan’s president: support of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu.

Billionaire Terry Gou’s possible entry into Taiwan’s presidential race illustrates the dilemma facing the island’s leader, Tsai Ing-wen, as she prepares for an uphill re-election bid.

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan called on Saturday for domestic and international support of the island’s de facto independence, days after China’s leader, Xi Jinping, warned that unification with China was inevitable.

Taiwan's pro-independence leader, Tsai Ing-wen, has just over a year to win back public support if she wants to avoid going down in history as the island's first one-term president.

As Taiwanese voters head to the polls to elect city mayors and city and village leaders on Saturday, they will also be voting on 10 referendums that could set the tone for key social issues including marriage equality and changing the country's name for the Olympics.

Taiwan’s pro-independence leader, Tsai Ing-wen, has just over a year to win back public support if she wants to avoid going down in history as the island’s first one-term president.

Taiwanese voters will determine the outcome of 10 referendums Nov. 24 as well as local elections. This will not be the first time this autonomous island has held referendums, although none succeeded in the past.