Taiwan leader Tsai gets party nod to run for re-election

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has won a ruling party primary, setting up a likely run for re-election in January.

FILE – In this Jan. 16, 2016, file photo, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, DPP, presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen thanks supporters as she celebrates winning the presidential election in Taipei, Taiwan. Tsai has won a ruling party primary, setting up a likely run for re-election in January. The Democratic Progressive Party announced the primary results Thursday, June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)

The Democratic Progressive Party announced the primary results Thursday. Her nomination is all but sure to be ratified by the party next week.

Tsai has been a thorn in the side of China, hitting out at the Communist Party’s insistence that it will someday take control of democratically ruled Taiwan.

The self-governing island split from China seven decades ago.

Her approval rating fell in opinion polls last year as Taiwanese worried about inaction toward China, foreign policy and domestic economic issues such as jobs and housing prices.

But she has gained momentum this year with a more aggressive stance toward China. /gg