China’s Xi requires ‘reunification’ in message to new Taiwan opposition chief

The KMT historically backs shut relations with China whereas Beijing calls Taiwan President Lai Ching-te a ‘separatist’

Chinese language President Xi Jinping known as on Sunday, October 19, for efforts to advance “reunification” in a message of congratulations to the brand new chief of Taiwan’s foremost opposition occasion, whose election befell amid accusations of interference by Beijing.

Former lawmaker Cheng Li-wun, who will take over as chief of the Kuomintang (KMT) occasion on November 1, received Saturday’s election at a time of rising stress with Beijing, which views the democratically ruled island as its personal territory. Taiwan’s authorities strongly objects to China’s sovereignty claims.

The KMT historically backs shut relations with China and is Beijing’s most well-liked dialogue accomplice. China refuses to speak to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and his Democratic Progressive Social gathering (DPP) administration, calling him a “separatist.”

Xi, in a message in his function as head of China’s Communist Social gathering, instructed Cheng the 2 events ought to strengthen their “frequent political basis,” the official Xinhua information company reported.

Each events also needs to “unite the overwhelming majority of individuals in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, enhance frequent improvement, and advance nationwide reunification,” he added.

Cheng, in her message to Xi, didn’t make any point out of union with Beijing, however mentioned each side of the Taiwan Strait have been “members of the Chinese language nation”, utilizing an expression in Chinese language that refers to ethnicity relatively than nationality.

“Each events ought to, in mild of the present state of affairs, strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation on the prevailing basis (and) promote peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait,” Cheng mentioned, in accordance with a celebration assertion.

Accusations of Chinese language interference

Whereas the KMT misplaced the presidential election final yr, the occasion and its ally, the small Taiwan Folks’s Social gathering, collectively maintain essentially the most seats in parliament.

Cheng, 55, opposes Taiwan rising protection spending, a key coverage plank of Lai’s, and received the management vote over the KMT institution candidate, former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin.

Accusations of Chinese language interference within the election by a key supporter of Hau’s, the KMT’s vice presidential candidate final yr, Jaw Shau-kong, overshadowed the marketing campaign. Jaw mentioned social media accounts had unfold disinformation about Hau.

China mentioned on Wednesday that the election was a KMT matter, and that on-line feedback didn’t signify an official stance.

Writing on his Fb account on Sunday, Jaw mentioned the KMT should scale back pro-China affect and that almost all of Taiwanese want peaceable relations and dialogue with China.

“The KMT should recognise that elections are held in Taiwan, and voters are in Taiwan, not mainland China,” Jaw added.

Late on Saturday, DPP spokesperson Justin Wu mentioned there have been clear indicators of Chinese language interference within the KMT election.

His feedback have been dismissed by the KMT, which responded with an announcement saying: “Who is that this?” – Rappler.com