Taiwan oppn reveals female candidate for president
16 April 2015 6:18 AM IST
Taiwan could be on track for its first ever female leader after the island’s main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced on Wednesday that its chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen will run for president.
Officially accepting the party’s nomination, Tsai pledged to maintain the “status quo” with China, as her party -- traditionally sceptical of Beijing -- faces tough questions on its cross-strait policy.
Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war, but Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting unification.
While ties have warmed under current president Ma Ying-jeou, fears over Beijing’s increasing influence have grown, contributing to the worst-ever defeat of his ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) at local elections in November.
Though some members of the DPP remain staunchly pro-independence, other more moderate voices like Tsai are pushing for a pragmatic approach, leaving the party factionalised.
“The most important thing in terms of diplomacy is the handling of cross-strait relations,” Tsai said to reporters at a press conference immediately after her nomination.“The basic principle is to maintain the status quo,” she said.
“After we (the DPP) come to power we will examine agreements (with China) case by case, according to the law, and will continue negotiations.”
Officially accepting the party’s nomination, Tsai pledged to maintain the “status quo” with China, as her party -- traditionally sceptical of Beijing -- faces tough questions on its cross-strait policy.
Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war, but Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory awaiting unification.
While ties have warmed under current president Ma Ying-jeou, fears over Beijing’s increasing influence have grown, contributing to the worst-ever defeat of his ruling China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) at local elections in November.
Though some members of the DPP remain staunchly pro-independence, other more moderate voices like Tsai are pushing for a pragmatic approach, leaving the party factionalised.
“The most important thing in terms of diplomacy is the handling of cross-strait relations,” Tsai said to reporters at a press conference immediately after her nomination.“The basic principle is to maintain the status quo,” she said.
“After we (the DPP) come to power we will examine agreements (with China) case by case, according to the law, and will continue negotiations.”
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