Taiwan presidential hopeful Hou promises to boost island’s defense and restart talks with China

By SIMINA MISTREANU
Associated Press

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — One of Taiwan’s leading opposition party candidates in Saturday’s presidential election has promised to boost the island’s defense capabilities while restarting dialogue with Beijing. Taiwan has never been governed by the People’s Republic of China. But the mainland’s ruling Communist Party insists on unification with Taiwan, by force if necessary. Opposition Nationalist Party candidate Hou Yu-ih said Thursday he wants to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to protect itself from potential attacks from China. Most polls place Hou second after the governing Democratic Progressive Party’s candidate, William Lai, who currently serves as vice president under Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. A third candidate, Ko Wen-je from the smaller Taiwan People’s Party, is also running.