KMT

KMT
Name	Kuomintang
Native name	臺灣國民黨
Founded	1894 (as Revive China Society); 1919 (reorganized)
Founder	Sun Yat-sen
Headquarters	Taipei
Ideology	Chinese nationalism, Conservatism, Three Principles of the People
Position	Centre-right
International	Asia-Pacific Democrat Union
Youth wing	Republic of China Youth Corps

KMT

The Kuomintang is a major political party originating in late 19th- and early 20th-century China that played central roles in the Xinhai Revolution, the Warlord Era, the Northern Expedition, and the Second Sino-Japanese War, later governing the Republic of China on the mainland and in Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War. It has been associated with figures such as Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek, Chiang Ching-kuo, Lee Teng-hui, Ma Ying-jeou, and Han Kuo-yu, and has contested elections against parties including the Democratic Progressive Party, the People First Party, and the New Party. The party's legacy intersects with events and institutions such as the May Fourth Movement, the Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), the Cold War, the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Nations.

History

The party traces roots to revolutionary organizations like the Revive China Society and the Tongmenghui, founded by Sun Yat-sen and allies including Huang Xing and Wang Jingwei, which participated in the 1911 Revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty. In the 1920s the party allied with the Communist Party of China in the First United Front to accomplish the Northern Expedition aimed at reunifying China, involving military leaders such as Zhou Enlai and He Yingqin. After the collapse of the First United Front and the Shanghai Massacre, tensions escalated into the Chinese Civil War against the Chinese Communist Party. During the Second Sino-Japanese War the party formed the Second United Front with the Chinese Communist Party to resist Imperial Japan, engaging commanders like Bai Chongxi and collaborating with allies including the United States》 and United Kingdom.

Following defeat on the mainland, party leadership under Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan with institutions such as the Republic of China Armed Forces, relocating the Nationalist government and continuing rule under martial law during the White Terror era, which involved figures like Chen Cheng and policies influenced by Cold War dynamics involving the Truman administration and later the Eisenhower administration. In the late 20th century, leaders such as Chiang Ching-kuo and Lee Teng-hui oversaw gradual democratization, lifting martial law and enabling the rise of parties like the Democratic Progressive Party and challengers such as James Soong. In the 21st century the party has alternated in power with administrations including those of Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen, maintaining relevance through politicians like Ma Ying-jeou and municipal leaders such as Ko Wen-je.

Ideology and Policies

The party's ideological foundation derives from Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People—nationalism, democracy, and livelihood of the people—and has evolved to emphasize Chinese nationalism, conservatism, and economic policies favoring market-oriented development, linking to trade agreements and frameworks such as the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement and engagements with the World Trade Organization. Policy platforms have addressed relations with entities including the People's Republic of China, the United States, and regional actors like Japan and ASEAN states, while domestic policy debates involve pension reform, relations with institutions such as the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and legal frameworks including the Constitution of the Republic of China and the Temporary Provisions Effective During the Period of Communist Rebellion (historically).

Economic stances often draw from industrial policy successes during the Taiwan Miracle period under leaders including Cheng Wen-tsan and Hsu Hsin-ying, advocating for infrastructure projects resembling initiatives such as the Ten Major Construction Projects era, and engaging with multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank. Social and identity issues pit the party's positions against those of the Democratic Progressive Party and civic movements such as the Sunflower Student Movement and the Wild Lily student movement.

Organizational Structure

The party's organizational framework has included central organs like a Central Committee, a Central Standing Committee, and youth and women's branches such as the Kuomintang Youth League and the Women’s League. Elected positions include chairpersons and secretaries; notable chairs have included Wu Poh-hsiung, Ma Ying-jeou, and Eric Chu. Local chapters operate at county and municipal levels, coordinating with legislative candidates for bodies like the Legislative Yuan and municipal governments in cities including Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung. The party has maintained affiliated institutions such as think tanks and media outlets historically linked to entities like the China Times and the Central News Agency.

Electoral Performance

Electoral history spans contested presidential elections against figures such as Chen Shui-bian and Tsai Ing-wen, legislative campaigns for seats in the Legislative Yuan, and local elections for posts including mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung. The party achieved significant victories under Ma Ying-jeou in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, while suffering setbacks in 2000 with James Soong’s split and in 2016 and 2020 amid shifts toward the Democratic Progressive Party and candidates like William Lai and Chen Shui-bian. Municipal and county-level performances have fluctuated with trends set by politicians including Eric Chu, Ko Wen-je, Han Kuo-yu, and Hou Yu-ih.

Controversies and Criticisms

The party's legacy includes criticisms related to authoritarian rule during periods of martial law and the White Terror, with legal and human rights scrutiny involving cases examined by commissions such as the Transitional Justice Commission. Allegations of corruption have implicated politicians tied to business figures and institutions including Far Eastern Group and controversies over party finances and media influence involving outlets like the China Times and corporate actors such as Formosa Plastics Group. Policy disputes have sparked mass protests and movements including the Wild Lily student movement and the Sunflower Student Movement challenging agreements like the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement.

International Relations and Cross-Strait Policy

The party’s cross-strait policy emphasizes engagement with the People's Republic of China through dialogues, economic agreements such as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, and confidence-building measures while often advocating for the status of the Republic of China and interactions with partners like the United States, Japan, and members of ASEAN. Diplomatic ties have shifted as countries such as Nauru and Belize changed recognition between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, affecting party strategies. The party’s international outreach includes engagement with overseas Chinese communities, relations with bodies like the World Health Organization, and participation in forums involving democracies such as meetings with delegations from the United States Congress and think tanks in Washington, D.C..

Category:Political parties in Taiwan