Pro-China Mayor In Taiwan Removed After Heavy Defeat In Recall Election

Han Kuo-yu bows to supporters after conceding defeat on Saturday. Photo: CNA

SCMP: Taiwan opposition candidate Han Kuo-yu removed as mayor of Kaohsiung after heavy defeat in recall election

* Defeated presidential contender was elected in a landslide less 18 months ago, but Saturday’s vote to remove him was even larger
* KMT politician was reportedly Beijing’s preferred candidate in January’s vote and analysts say scale of backlash shows growing resentment of mainland China’s actions

Han Kuo-yu, the opposition candidate in this year’s Taiwanese presidential election, has been removed as mayor of the city of Kaohsiung following an unprecedented recall vote on Saturday.

Han, 62, conceded defeat after more than 900,000 eligible voters backed his removal for being“unfit”for office

He was the first Taiwanese official ever to be removed in this way, a result that will have a ripple effect on future elections.

It was also a reflection of the growing resentment on the island towards mainland China after Beijing announced plans for a national security law in Hong Kong last month, analysts said.

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Update #1: Taiwan mayor loses recall vote in blow for pro-China opposition (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Taiwan opposition seeks distance from China after poll defeat (Reuters)

WNU Editor: Taiwan's electorate has made it very clear that they have no interest in being a part of China.