Taiwan: Wu Den-yih assumes leadership of Kuomintang

The Kuomintang (KMT) opposes "Taiwan independence," said Wu Den-yih on Sunday after he formally took office as chair of the opposition party.

In his inaugural speech, the former deputy leader of Taiwan from 2012 to 2016 stressed the importance of cross-Strait relations and communication, which he is willing to promote.

He noted that it is necessary to conduct an in-depth discussion over the vision of cross-Strait peace on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, a significant agreement affirming that both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China.

The new KMT leader garnered 144,408 votes from party members－52.24 percent of the total－in an election held in May.

He beat five other candidates, including then chairwoman of KMT Hung Hsiu-chu, to assume the chairmanship of the party.

Hung, who was elected as KMT's first female leader in March, announced her resignation on June 30 after losing the election. She said her exit would ensure a smooth transition since the party no longer considered her appropriate for the position.

KMT Vice Chairman Lin Junq-tzer then held the post of acting chairman until Wu came into office.

Wu has realized that the biggest dilemma KMT now faces is the different and opposing factions within the party, and vowed on the campaign trail to "lead the party to reclaim power under unity."

Wu Den-yih (C)

with supporters after winning the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party chairman elections in Taipei, May 20, 2017.

However, Wu has a long way to go before managing to rebuild the KMT and "reclaim its former reputation."

Next year's local election will be a litmus test for Wu's efforts to make good on his campaign promise. KMT's Vice Chairman Hau Lung-bin pointed out that the party needs to win the leadership of at least two of Taiwan's six special municipalities in next year's election to counter the political monopoly of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

(CGTN)