Under China pressure, oppn in Taiwan chooses new leader

Taipei, September 25

Taiwan's main opposition Nationalist Party chose former leader Eric Chu as its new chairperson on Saturday in an election overshadowed by increasing pressure from neighbour China.

Four candidates, including incumbent chair Johnny Chiang, had competed for the leadership of the party that has advocated closer relations with Beijing. That means agreeing to Beijing's demand that it regarded Taiwan as part of China, something Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party has refused to do. China has threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control and has increasingly mobilised military, diplomatic and economic pressure in an attempt to undermine the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen and sway opinion among the Taiwanese people, who strongly favour the status quo of de-facto independence. — AP