TAIPEI: Taiwan's Beijing-friendly ruling party appointed a new leader on Saturday in the hope of reversing its fortunes after its worst-ever local election setback reflected growing fears over Chinese influence. President Ma Ying-jeou resigned as chairman of the Kuomintang (KMT) over the election defeat in November, seen as a public backlash over warming ties with China since he took power in 2008. Rising star Eric Chu, the mayor of New Taipei city, stood unopposed for the party leadership on Saturday and was elected.

AFP