Taiwan's main opposition Kuomintang has elected a new leader, who will be charged with helping the party regain power in the island's presidential election next year.
Before he can do that, Wu Poh-hsiung will have to unite the party and make sure heavyweights Ma Ying-jeou and Wang Jyn-ping bury their differences and spearhead the KMT's challenge to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Mr Wu, a KMT veteran and previously party vice-chairman, had an easy victory over his lone opponent, Hung Hsiu-chu, securing more than 156,000 votes, or 87 per cent of those cast, to 23,400 for Ms Hung. Turnout was 53.75 per cent of the 337,467 party members.
'It is highly important for the party to maintain unity if we are to regain power next year,' said Mr Wu, who forwent any high-profile celebration for his victory.
'I will discuss with the honorary chairman how to build a team with the best prospect of winning the 2008 presidential election.'
Lien Chan was made honorary KMT chairman after retiring from the chairmanship in August 2005. Mr Lien has expressed the hope that Ma, who resigned as chairman in February following his indictment for corruption, can work with Mr Wang, the legislative Speaker, on the party's campaign for next year's election.
Ma, long known as Taiwan's 'Mr Clean', is on trial for the corruption charge, which concerns NT$11 million (HK$2.3 million) in special allowances paid to him while he was Taipei mayor.