KMT's new chair vows to pursue cross-strait peace

Taipei, Nov. 1 (CNA) Newly inaugurated Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) on Saturday pledged that her party will defend democracy, revive the economy, and pursue long-term cross-strait peace while guiding Taiwan through its most challenging times.

Cheng made the remarks as she succeeded Eric Chu (朱立倫) in a handover ceremony at the party's 22nd National Congress in Taipei, attended by officials including Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and his deputy Johnny Chiang (江啟臣), as well as Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安).

Cheng said Taiwan faces heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait and a rapidly changing global economic order.

She argued that the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) long-term rule is eroding Taiwan's democracy and rule of law, saying the KMT bears a heavy responsibility to restore order and address the country's problems.

Cheng also said the party is confident it can demonstrate unprecedented unity and pledged to the Taiwanese public that under her leadership, it will defend democracy and freedom, revive the economy, and pursue long-term cross-strait peace.

The KMT hopes to turn "Taiwan's worst times into its best" while continuing to reform, grow stronger, and attract young talent, she added.

Cheng said she hopes the KMT will not only be Taiwan's most important and largest political party but also an organization that serves the public interest, helping vulnerable communities and assisting people in every corner of Taiwan.

During the event, outgoing chairman Chu urged the party to unite under Cheng's leadership, stressing that only through unity can the party grow stronger and better.

"We only have one Kuomintang, and unity is our only path," Chu said.

Chu also expressed pride in being a KMT member for 48 years, thanking the many friends who have quietly supported and encouraged him throughout his political career, including during his terms as party chairman from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2021 to 2025.