Taiwan youth gravitate to Tsai as Hong Kong fears cross strait

President has 13-point lead on Kaohsiung mayor ahead of January election

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has seen a surge in approval ahead of elections. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the President)

KENSAKU IHARA, Nikkei staff writer

November 20, 2019 07:17 JST

TAIPEI -- Younger voters have propelled Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's dramatic comeback in the polls ahead of the January election, rallying behind the independence-leaning leader amid escalating turmoil in Hong Kong.

Support for Tsai totaled 40.5% in a poll published by news site My-formosa.com on Nov. 16, placing her 13 percentage points ahead of Han Kuo-yu, the nominee for the pro-Beijing Kuomintang. Tsai had trailed the Kaohsiung mayor by 20 points back in February.