Xi Jinping Congratulates New KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun on Election Victory

Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated former legislator Cheng Li-wun on being elected chair of the Kuomintang (KMT) in a race she won with just over 50 percent of the vote. Cheng left the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2000 and joined the KMT in 2005, and has served as a legislator and Cabinet spokesperson. In her victory speech, she urged unity, called for better relations with China and said the KMT should act as a peacemaker in the region. She takes the chair on November 1. The DPP said it hopes the KMT will put national security above politics and alleged Beijing interfered in the chair election, which the KMT and Cheng deny.