China is becoming friendly with the new Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu. The Wall Street Journal’s China Real Time said China is showing an enthusiastic welcome for Chu as it has covered the KMT party election heavily in its local media.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a congratulatory message to Chu on the day he won the election and Chu replied the same day with a polite thank you. In his message, Xi said he hopes the two sides could work together to “maintain common political commitments” which includes opposing Taiwan independence.
China is showing its obvious preference of working with the ruling KMT than with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The DPP had a major victory in recent local elections and has its eyes on the presidency in 2016. The Wall Street Journal report said China’s warming up to Chu at a challenging time for the KMT may not work in Chu’s favor in Taiwan.