Staff writer, with CNAThe top two contenders in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) presidential primary on Tuesday pledged to improve strained cross-strait relations and boost the economy if elected. Speaking during a televised forum of KMT candidates, Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) said that cordial relations across the Taiwan Strait are crucial to the Republic of China’s survival. Most Taiwanese support maintaining the “status quo” rather than proclaiming independence or unifying with China, Han added. Tuesday’s TV forum also featured former New Taipei mayor Eric Chu (朱立倫), former Taipei County Commissioner Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋) and National Taiwan University political science professor Chang Ya-chung (張亞中). Regarding national defense, Chu said that purchasing weapons is not enough, adding that the morale of the military and a balance between cross-strait relations and Taiwan-US ties are also critical.

Source: Taipei Times June 26, 2019 15:56 UTC