Posted 11/24/2023, 5:46:37 AM
Taiwan's Pro-China Opposition Fails to Unite, Easing Path for Ruling Party
- Taiwan's opposition parties, which seek closer China ties, registered separate presidential candidates after failing to unite behind a single ticket to challenge the ruling party
- The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) had agreed to work together but could not reach a deal on a joint presidential candidate
- The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has charged ahead united behind its presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, who has consistently led in polls
- China views the election as a choice between "peace and war" and believes the DPP candidates are dangerous separatists
- The disunity among the pro-China opposition parties is seen as easing the way for the DPP, which has defied Beijing's pressure, to stay in power