New Party (Taiwan)

The New Party was formed on 22 August 1993 out of a split from the then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) by members of the New Kuomintang Alliance. Members of the Alliance had accused KMT Chairman Lee Teng-hui of autocratic tendencies and moving the party away from Chinese unification. Co-founders of the New Party included Chen Kuei-miao. Originally, the party wanted to keep the name of the faction, but was prevented from doing so due to the similarity of names. The name "New Party" was seemingly inspired by the contemporary electoral success of the Japan New Party. At this time, the party favored direct presidential elections, the ideals of Sun Yat-sen, voluntary service instead of military service, and "equal protection of human rights." The party also called for direct flights between Taiwan and the mainland, speaking of a "Great Chinese Common Market." In the 2001 Legislative Yuan election, the party won a single seat, Wu Cherng-dean's, in Kinmen. In the 2005–06 municipal elections, the New Party made significant gains, seating over a dozen members into public office. The New Party also gained four seats in the Taipei Mayor's private offices. Since the 2008 Legislative Yuan elections, the New Party has not won any seats, while the party supported most of the KMT candidates. == Ideology and policies ==

The New Party considered to be to be a right-wing or far-right political party. It strongly opposes Taiwanese independence and supports Chinese unification. Since 1997, the NP has switched to the Chinese ultranationalist position, also considered pro-Beijing. In August 2019, New Party Chairman Yok Mu-ming announced a proposal to unify China under the "one country, two systems" principle. Under the party's plan, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China would be united as one country, and the country's name and flag would be determined by common consultations; Yok suggested "China" as the common name. The proposal includes post-unification goals such as maintaining a multi-party political system, a legal ban on the Taiwanese independence movement, reducing the size of Taiwan's armed forces, inclusion of Taiwanese representatives in China's delegation to the United Nations, and integration of Taiwanese business in the Belt and Road Initiative. ==Election results==

Presidential elections Legislative elections Local elections National Assembly elections ==Leaders==

at the New Party rally in 228 Park. ;Convenors of the New Party National Committee • Jaw Shaw-kong (August 1993 – May 1994) • Yok Mu-ming (May 1994 – October 1994) • Wang Chien-shien (October 1994 – August 1995) • Chen Kuei-miao (August 1995 – August 1997) • Chou Yang-shan (August 1997 – August 1998) • Chen Kuei-miao (August 1998 – December 1998) • Feng Ting-kuo (acting; December 1998 – January 1999) • Lee Ching-hua (January 1999 – March 2000) • Hau Lung-pin (March 2000 – March 2001) • Hsieh Chi-ta (March 2001 – December 2001) • Levi Ying (acting; December 2001 – January 2002) • Yok Mu-ming (January 2002 – June 2003) ;Chairmen of the New Party • Yok Mu-ming (June 2003 – 21 February 2021) • Wu Cherng-dean (since 21 February 2021) ; Vice chairmen of the New Party • Lee Sheng-feng (since 2016) ==See also==