Taiwan’s pro-China Mayor to be Oppn 2020 Prez candidate

TAIPEI, July 15 

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 considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control. Han gained island-wide popularity after winning a mayoral election in November in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, formerly a stronghold of the ruling 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 after the results.”DPP supporters should open their eyes and think it over.” The China-friendly mayor triggered controversy after meetings with several senior officials in China this year. Han has said both sides are part of “one China”, a cherished principle for Beijing, and has previously described Taiwan independence as being “more scary” 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. — Reuters

Han secured 44.8% support in survey 

Kaohsiung mayor Han Kuo-yu 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.