Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang to pick Hou as presidential candidate over Foxconn founder Gou

New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih had been seen as more likely to win the nod from the KMT due to his broad popularity and grassroots appeal within the party. - HOU YU-IH/TWITTER

TAIPEI (Bloomberg): Taiwan’s main opposition party is set to nominate New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih as its candidate for next year’s presidential election, a person familiar with the situation said, as it seeks to wrest back power in a vote crucial to US-China relations.

The Kuomintang on Wednesday (May 17) is set to formally announce Hou as its choice to represent the party in January’s election, said the person, who asked not to be identified because they aren’t authorised to speak publicly. Hou would be taking on Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.