Taiwan's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) celebrated a major victory in crucial elections yesterday after fighting off the most dangerous challenge yet mounted to its leadership by the pro-independence opposition.
The KMT, which seeks eventual reunification with China, retook the powerful post of Taipei mayor in a hard-won race and gained a comfortable majority in parliament in Saturday's polls.
The win bolsters the divided KMT, which was beaten by the Democratic Progressive Party in elections for city mayor and county magistrates last year. The KMT now holds 123 parliamentary seats against 70 for the DPP, 11 for the New Party, one for the Taiwan Independence Party, and 20 for minor groups.
Observers said that while the parliamentary win was crucial, the Taipei mayoral race won by Mr Ma Ying-jeou of the KMT had greater symbolism. "Ma's victory will lay a strong foundation for the KMT's presidential bid," said Prof Hsieh Fusheng of the National Chengchi University.
The KMT's victory is expected to calm Beijing, which feared a win for Mr Chen Shui-bian of the DPP, would have boosted the pro-independence politician's ambitions for the presidential race in 2000.