President Ma Ying-jeou has promised Cabinet support for presidential hopeful Hung Hsiu-chu if she is formally nominated as the KMT candidate.
Ma’s message of support comes after Hung received enough support in primary polls to qualify for the party’s presidential candidate. She is now waiting for the final nod from the KMT’s national council.
On Monday, Hung expressed her gratitude for Ma’s support.
"I hope that will be the case. If I am officially nominated, of course the Cabinet’s backing will be an asset," Hung said. "I told him that after I am officially nominated by the council, I’d like to ask for the help of all the government departments, and of course they said yes."
Hung’s goal of signing a peace agreement with China has received criticism on Taiwanese television, with some commentators calling the idea too China-friendly. Hung responded on Monday, saying that former President Lee Teng-Hui, Chen Shui-bian and President Ma Ying-jeou have all made similar comments. According to Hung, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen has also discussed a similar policy.
Hung said that they held back on the idea after polls showed a lack of support. Hung said that she will also demand that the two sides be treated equally. She said that signing a cross-strait peace agreement could turn China’s threat into an opportunity.