Presidential primary candidates from Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang Party outline policy positions
Candidates vying to be presidential nominee of Taiwan’s “One-China” Kuomintang Party will outline their policy positions today ahead of a party vote in July and presidential elections in January.
Candidates are expected to focus on Taiwan’s efforts to protect its diplomatic recognition, its economic and political relations with China and its national defence.
Polling at 29%, Terry Gou—the founder of the Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn—is the frontrunner in a field of five possible nominees. If successful, Gou is likely to focus on shoring up economic relations with mainland China, which have suffered in recent years under a pro-independence government led by President Tsai Ing-wen.
On June 13, Ms Tsai secured her party’s nomination to run for re-election. However, the incumbent is expected to face a strong challenge from the Kuomintang following defeats faced by the Democratic Progressive Party in local elections earlier this year. Greater tensions with the mainland have caused more unease in the electorate and will likely result in an erosion of support for Tsai and her party, to the benefit of the Kuomintang.
Delver deeper: Instability in the Strait: Taiwan’s 2020 election
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