Brian Hioeby Brian Hioe
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Photo Credit: Cheng Li-wun/Facebook
UNUSUAL ALLEGATIONS have broken out in the KMT chair race. Specifically, deep blue political commentator Jaw Shaw-kong has alleged Chinese interference in the race, taking place through online influence campaigns.
Consequently, Jaw has called on China to stay out of the race and stated that the chair race is an internal matter for the KMT. Jaw has suggested that Chinese interference in the chair race could potentially spell doom for the KMT, in that this would affect the electoral odds of the party in the future.
As part of these allegations, Jaw has also lashed out at the DPP, claiming that the DPP also seeks to harass the KMT and shift public opinion through the use of “cyberarmies”. At the same time, Jaw has stated that the Chinese interference in the chair race is on a different order of magnitude and that the interference comes from outside of Taiwan.
For its part, the DPP has responded by emphasizing that it is usually the target of Chinese interference much more than the KMT, and that such interference is usually aimed at benefiting the KMT. The DPP has stated that it welcomes the KMT becoming more proactive on the issue of Chinese interference if this no longer benefits the party.
It is unclear how other KMT heavyweights stand on the issue of Jaw’s allegations. Jaw is aligned with former Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin in the KMT chair election, having previously considered running himself but backed out in favor of Hau after a meeting with him. Jaw is known for his strident, deep blue political commentary, while Hau is relatively more moderate. However, Hau has largely been out of the political spotlight for the past decade, despite the position of Taipei mayor traditionally being a stepping stone to the presidency.
Jaw’s allegations are directed against dark horse candidate Cheng Li-wun. A former legislator and National Assembly member, Cheng unexpectedly proved to be the number one candidate in online polling. For some, this raised suspicions that Cheng is backed by China, and is the CCP’s preferred candidate in the KMT chair election.
Cheng is expected to be a deep blue candidate compared to the more moderate Hau, raising questions as to whether China prefers to see a deep blue candidate whose ideological messaging is in line with it, rather than a more moderate candidate that may have broader appeal with the Taiwanese public. Still, Jaw is noted for his willingness to make claims without basis for political ends, such as claiming that international media concocted a story about the Taiwanese band Mayday being targeted by Chinese authorities in order to benefit the DPP in the 2024 presidential elections.
Indeed, the issue of what Taiwan’s relationship with China should be has taken center stage in KMT chair elections. Another question raised has been whether KMT chair hopefuls would meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping, potentially conducting such meetings on a party-to-party basis between the CCP and KMT, and circumventing the central government in this way. The KMT has been willing to do this in the past, with such meetings taking place under current chair Eric Chu.
This is not the only time that allegations of undue conduct have emerged in high-level KMT internal elections. Current KMT legislative caucus leader Fu Kun-chi and his wife, Hualien county magistrate Hsu Chen-wei, were previously accused by legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin of vote buying in the KMT central standing committee election.
Though Hsu has since made amends with Fu, given his power in the KMT at present, the allegations suggest that issues of corruption exist at the highest levels of the KMT. It would not be surprising if China casts an undue influence over the KMT’s internal decision-making, with Fu seen as favored by China, and having traveled to China or Hong Kong for a number of trips during which he met with Chinese government officials.
It is to be seen how the KMT chair race pans out, then. It is expected that the chair race will be a close one between Hau and Cheng.