China-Leaning Politician Wins Vote to Lead Taiwan Opposition KMT

Eric Chu, a former New Taipei City mayor, won the leadership election of Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). The KMT has traditionally favored closer economic and political ties with China, in contrast to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which supports Taiwan's independence. Chu's victory is seen as a shift towards a more China-friendly approach within the KMT, which lost the 2020 presidential election to the DPP's Tsai Ing-wen. Chu has advocated for improving relations with Beijing and has criticized the current government's handling of cross-strait relations. The election results come at a time of heightened tensions between Taiwan and China, which claims the self-governing island as its own territory. The KMT's shift towards a more conciliatory stance towards China could have significant implications for Taiwan's political landscape and its relationship with its powerful neighbor.