US EditionTaiwan's new opposition leader takes over, warning against risk of China war
Cheng Li-wun, elected with just over 50% of the vote, opposes rising defense budgets and pledges to promote regional peace amid Taiwan-China tensions.
- On Nov. 1, 2025, Cheng Li-wun took office as Kuomintang chairperson, pledging to pursue long-term cross-strait peace while warning of war risks with China.
- Party dynamics reflected a swing toward hardline cross‑strait views as Cheng Li-wun, a deep‑blue politician who began in the Democratic Progressive Party, faced accusations of CCP backing and foreign social media disinformation.
- Cheng Li-wun defeated former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin with slightly more than 50% of the vote amid turnout under 40% of KMT party members, and Eric Chu declared the result early, urging unity.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping swiftly sent congratulations and called for efforts to advance `reunification`, while the KMT and its ally hold the most seats, complicating governance for the DPP.
- Preparations for mayoral and local elections late next year are among Cheng Li-wun's top priorities, and her leadership signals a tilt toward closer ties with Beijing amid heightened Taiwan Strait tensions.
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96 Articles
In Taiwan, the Chinese Nationalist Party, or KMT, has just officially appointed its new president, Cheng Li-wun, on Saturday 1 November. Openly pro-dialogue with Beijing and opposed to any increase in the defence budget despite Chinese threats to unify the island by force, it embodies this other part of Taiwan that would like to benefit from a rapprochement with China.
Confrontation Over Taiwan
Background Taiwan’s disputed status is a direct result of the Chinese Civil War, in which the defeated Nationalist (Kuomintang) government fled the mainland and moved its government to the island in 1949. While the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has never exercised control over Taiwan, it claims that the island is an inalienable part of China that must be “reunified” with the mainland.
Cheng Li-wun formally assumes new KMT chairperson, vows to usher island of Taiwan in a century of cross-Straits peace
Cheng Li-wun, new chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party of island of Taiwan took office on Saturday, saying the party is confident in demonstrating unprecedented unity and committed to reviving Taiwan's economic miracle, and usher in a century of cross-Straits peace, local media reported.
New Era for Taiwan: Cheng Li-wun's Leadership Gambit
Cheng Li-wun, Taiwan's new opposition leader, warns of potential war with China and vows to pursue peace with Beijing. As head of the Kuomintang party, she signals a shift towards improved relations with China amid ongoing military and political tensions.
China Daily
china.org.cnCheng Li-wun assumes leadership of Kuomintang
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