Taiwan's ruling KMT party has new chairman

UNCHANGED MAINLAND POLICY?

Experts believe the Chu is likely to follow Ma's policy on developing cross-Strait relations.

Zhu Songling, a Taiwan affairs professor with Beijing Union University, said Chu's reply to Xi demonstrated his recognition of the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

From his past remarks, it can also be perceived that upholding the 1992 consensus, opposing "Taiwan independence" and advocating strengthened cross-Strait exchanges and win-win cooperation are Chu's basic viewpoints on mainland-Taiwan issues, said Zhu.

In 2009, Eric Chu attended the first Cross-Strait Economic, Trade and Culture Forum in mainland city of Xiamen as the vice KMT chairman, saying that the people of the two sides would never hope to be isolated because of misunderstanding, conflicts and ideological differences and he hoped the two could shelve disputes and cooperate for development.

The KMT's mainland policies have helped gain support since the party resumed ruling over the island in 2008 and the peaceful situation has resulted in obvious benefits for the two, Zhu pointed out. He expected that the new KMT chairman would continue to carry on the policies.

Cheng You-ping, head of the political and economic research center of Taiwan's "National" Taipei University, also believe unchanged policies that contribute to peaceful development of cross-Strait relations would be the "only choice" for the KMT to turn the table in future elections.

"Chu must let the Taiwan people believe that his party's active role in dealing with issues on cross-Strait relations will bring more benefits to them," Zheng said.

Regarding the personal styles of Chu, Su Jia-hong from the Taiwan Fooyin University, said Chu may be more flexible and pragmatic in handling cross-Strait issues. He said he expects Chu, as both the KMT chairman and the New Taipei City mayor, to make some breakthrough in cross-Strait affairs.