Taiwan opposition picks cop-turned-mayor as presidential candidate

Hou Yu-ih's lack of foreign policy experience questioned as China tensions soar

New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih gestures during a speech after he was picked as the main opposition party's presidential candidate on May 17. © Reuters

THOMPSON CHAU, Contributing writer

May 17, 2023 16:03 JST

Updated on May 17, 2023 18:44 JST

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's main opposition party on Wednesday tapped a former cop turned city mayor with no foreign policy experience as its pick to run for the presidency amid soaring tensions with China.

Hou Yu-ih, 65, will represent the Kuomintang (KMT) as he faces off against William Lai Ching-te, head of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), in Taiwan's January 2024 leadership election.