Hou Yu-ih

Ideology does not guide the 2024 presidential candidates’ policies on cross-strait and international relations. Yet party dynamics will inform how candidates would manage these relations if victorious. 

To have any chance of winning, the pan-Blue camp will need to avoid the current three-way contest for votes. But so far no one looks willing to withdraw.

Taiwan's four-way presidential race will mean a dramatic end to the campaign season.

Both Ko Wen-je and Hou Yu-ih have endorsed resurrecting the controversial Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement, the subject of mass protests back in 2014.

KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih faced an unexpectedly difficult start to his campaign, while the DPP courted controversy with some legislative nominations.

New Taipei mayor Hou Yu-ih, long considered the front-runner, was named as the presidential candidate of the opposition KMT.

Will the former Taiwan president be able to revive the “First United Front”?

William Lai is already positioning the race as a referendum on China policy, while the KMT (and Beijing) are trying to emphasize economic issues.

Citizen-centered policies and local mayors can lead Taiwan – and the world – into a better new normal even after the pandemic.