Pro-China mayor face of opposition in Taiwan

A China-friendly mayor in Taiwan on Monday won the opposition party’s nomination for the 2020 presidential election, beating Foxconn founder Terry Gou and issuing a direct challenge to President Tsai Ing-wen, who is seeking re-election.

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) said Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu beat four other contenders in a national tally for its primary race, including the billionaire founder of Apple supplier Foxconn.

The self-ruled island is set to hold its presidential election in January amid heightened tension with China, which sees Taiwan as a wayward province.

Han gained island-wide popularity after winning a mayoral election in November 2018 in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, formerly a stronghold of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

“The past three years under the rule of Tsai Ing-wen have been too disappointing,” Han told reporters at the KMT’s headquarters in Taipei. “DPP supporters should open their eyes and think it over.”

He created controversy after meetings with several senior officials in China earlier in 2019, including Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the People’s Government in Hong Kong.

Han has said both sides are part of “one China”, a cherished principle for Beijing, and has described Taiwan independence as scarier than syphilis.

Han led a seven-day phone survey of more than 15,000 people across Taiwan, winning 44.8% support, compared with Gou’s 27.7%, who came second.

It was not clear if Gou would run as an independent candidate. Gou, who launched an extensive primary campaign including banners on buses and online advertisements, thanked supporters and congratulated Han. “I will never change my passion for the Republic of China,” Gou said in a statement, using Taiwan’s official name.

Tsai’s bid for re-election could be complicated by Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je, who could join the 2020 race as an independent, a senior adviser said.

“There are many uncertainties ahead,” the adviser, Yao Chia-wen, said. “If Ko runs, he would pose some threats to President Tsai. If Gou runs, Han will take more of a hit.”

Tsai’s administration suffered a defeat in local elections late in 2018 amid mounting criticism over her party’s reform agenda and the rising pressure from China.

HAN HAS SAID BOTH SIDES ARE PART OF ‘ONE CHINA’, AND HAS DESCRIBED INDEPENDENCE AS SCARIER THAN SYPHILIS