Cheng Li-wun Elected KMT Chair Amid Security Warnings

Cheng Li-wun was elected chairperson of Taiwan’s main opposition Kuomintang on Oct. 18, defeating five rivals including Hau Lung-bin and winning roughly half the vote (about 50.2–51.4%), receiving approximately 60,000–65,000 votes with turnout near 35.5%. She is slated to take office on Nov. 1. Cheng, a former DPP member who served two legislative terms and as an Executive Yuan spokesperson, ran as a reformist and is widely viewed as China-leaning, a development analysts say could reshape the party’s appeal ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Her victory was marred by controversy over short social-media videos that Hau accused of being spread by 'foreign internet forces' to smear him, and pre-vote polling showed Cheng leading among KMT members while Hau led in nationwide surveys. Taipei’s Presidential Office and the National Security Bureau warned of potential Chinese interference in future elections and said they will expand intelligence efforts and launch an election-security project to guard against tactics such as secret funding, hospitality tours and domestic collaborators. Outgoing KMT chair Eric Chu congratulated Cheng and stressed that national security transcends party lines.