KMT picks ex-top cop for election battle

Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang party picked New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih yesterday as its presidential candidate in next year's election, with mainland tensions set to top the agenda.

The run-up to the vote in mid-January is taking place at a time of increased tensions between Taipei and Beijing, which has staged regular military exercises near Taiwan to assert sovereignty claims over the democratically governed island.

The KMT favors close ties with Beijing while the ruling Democratic Progressive Party champions Taiwan's separate identity.

"Our country faces fierce troops and the danger of war," Hou said at the party's headquarters in Taipei after his candidacy was announced. "There are conflicts over divisions and countless things to be fixed, making it hard for young people to see their future."

Party chairman Eric Chu said the candidate choice was based on polling data and the opinions of senior members.

Polls commissioned by the KMT and surveys by other organizations have showed that Hou had a better shot at winning than Foxconn founder Terry Gou, who was also in the fray. "For the future of the Republic of China and cross-strait peace the Kuomintang must return to office," Chu said, using Taiwan's official name.

The KMT last held office between 2008-2016 amid warming ties with China.

Hou will likely run against the DPP's William Lai, Taiwan's vice president, who was leading the KMT pick by about five to 10 percentage points, according to three polling results this week.

Formerly head of the National Police Agency, 65-year-old Hou was thrust into the limelight after a landslide reelection win in New Taipei City late last year, when the KMT trounced the DPP.

Gou, who stepped down as Foxconn chief in 2019, called Hou the "best candidate" for the party.

Also yesterday, the Taiwan People's Party, the island's third-largest group, announced that former Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je will be its presidential candidate.

KMT data showed Hou trailing Lai by 4.97 percentage points and beating Ko by 0.16 points.

REUTERS