New KMT Leader Promises Peace with China - Assalamualaikum
Assalamualaikum - Taiwan’s main opposition party has chosen a new leader who talks about seeking peace with neighboring China and questions higher defence spending.
Cheng Li-wun will become chair of the Kuomintang (KMT) on November 1 after winning the party vote. She’s 55 and beat former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin and several others. Cheng has warned against letting Taiwan “become the sacrifice of geopolitics” and says she wants the party to work toward regional calm.
Although the KMT doesn’t hold the presidency, together with its ally they control enough seats in the legislature to form a majority bloc, which could make things difficult for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party when it tries to pass budgets and laws.
Speaking at party headquarters in Taipei, Cheng said under her leadership the KMT would aim to be a builder of peace across the Taiwan Strait and a strong shelter for people in uncertain times. She also said Taiwan should not be a troublemaker.
Cheng, who began her political career in the DPP, said during the campaign she does not back raising the defence budget - a key policy of President William Lai Ching-te’s administration that also has US support.
Turnout among party members was under 40%, but Cheng won with more than half the vote. The campaign was clouded by claims of outside interference in the vote from a supporter of Hau, who said social media had spread disinformation about his candidate.
Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reported thousands of online videos and many overseas accounts discussing the election, though it did not name which candidates were promoted or whether the activity came from the mainland. The DPP urged the KMT to guard against foreign meddling and prioritise Taiwan’s safety. Cheng dismissed the interference accusations as cheap labels.
Beijing said the vote was an internal KMT matter and that some online comments from mainland users don’t reflect an official position.
May Allah grant wisdom to leaders and protect the people of the region. Salam.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news