TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Former Changhua County magistrate Cho Po-yuan (卓伯源) and former National Assembly member Tsai Chih-hong (蔡志弘) secured candidacy applications Wednesday (Sept. 17) for the Kuomintang, Taiwan's main opposition party, chairmanship race. The leadership contest launched Monday (Sept. 15) and now features five declared candidates vying to lead the party that once ruled Taiwan under martial law.
Cho outlined his political strategy during Wednesday's "Hanmei Talk Show" (寒梅Talk爆), declaring his intention to serve as a kingmaker rather than pursuing the presidency himself. The former magistrate confirmed plans to register his candidacy Thursday (Sept. 18) while ruling out a presidential bid. His chairmanship agenda centers on building cooperation between the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party, a centrist political party, alongside pushing for comprehensive judicial reform.
Cho revealed ambitious cross-strait diplomacy plans if elected, including inviting Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping (習近平) to Taiwan to advance peace across the Taiwan Strait. The candidate emphasized his consultative approach, noting he would seek consensus with Taiwan People's Party and Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan's ruling party, leaders before extending any invitation. His strategy builds on President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) previously expressed interest in meeting the Chinese leader.
Cho endorsed the controversial "1992 Consensus," a diplomatic framework acknowledging one China with different interpretations, calling it beneficial for bringing prosperity and peace to the region. The former magistrate warned that the Kuomintang cannot reclaim power in 2028 without Taiwan People's Party cooperation. His lack of presidential ambitions positions him uniquely to foster this crucial inter-party alliance, he argued.
