Kuomintang
A clear guide to Kuomintang (KMT) in Taiwan: its history, chinese nationalism ideology, leadership, and where it stands on the economy, social issues, and foreign policy.
Overview
- Country
- Taiwan
- Founded
- 1919 (as the Kuomintang; roots in 1894)
- Position
- Centre-right
- Leader
- Cheng Li-wun
- Headquarters
- Taipei
The Kuomintang (KMT), or Chinese Nationalist Party, is one of Taiwan's two major parties and the largest in the Pan-Blue coalition. It is the largest single party in the Legislative Yuan and, together with the Taiwan People's Party, controls the legislature in opposition to the DPP president. Cheng Li-wun has chaired the party since 2025.
The party sees Taiwan and mainland China as parts of one Chinese nation under the Republic of China constitution, and it favours dialogue and economic exchange with Beijing while rejecting Communist rule.
History
The KMT traces its origins to Sun Yat-sen's Revive China Society of 1894 and took its current name in 1919. Under Chiang Kai-shek it unified much of China in the 1920s and ruled the Republic of China until losing the civil war to the Communists, after which it retreated to Taiwan in 1949.
It governed Taiwan as a one-party state under martial law until 1987, a period that included the repression known as the White Terror as well as rapid economic growth. Chiang Ching-kuo and Lee Teng-hui then led democratic reforms. The party lost the presidency in 2000, won it back under Ma Ying-jeou in 2008 and 2012, and has been in opposition at the national level since 2016.
Economic Policy
The KMT is centre-right and pro-business. It generally favours lower taxes, market-friendly regulation and expanded trade, including with mainland China, which it presents as essential to Taiwan's growth. It has supported keeping nuclear power as part of Taiwan's energy mix.
Foreign Policy
The KMT accepts the 1992 Consensus, under which both sides acknowledge there is "one China" while disagreeing on what that means. It argues that dialogue with Beijing lowers the risk of war, and it opposes formal Taiwanese independence. It also supports defence and good relations with the United States, though it has clashed with the DPP over the size and shape of defence budgets.
Where They Stand
- Accepts the 1992 Consensus and favours dialogue with Beijing
- Opposes formal Taiwanese independence
- Supports closer trade and economic ties across the Taiwan Strait
- Backs keeping nuclear power in the energy mix
- Generally favours lower taxes and business-friendly policy
Electoral Record
The KMT won the presidency in every direct election from 1996 except 2000 and 2004 until 2016, and has lost the three presidential elections since. It became the largest party in the Legislative Yuan in 2024 with 52 of 113 seats and dominates local government, having won most mayoral and county posts in 2022.
Position on the Political Compass
Kuomintang sits on the centrist side on economics and is moderate on questions of social freedom and authority.
These positions are approximate and meant as a guide. Take the test to see how your own views compare.
Key Figures
Sun Yat-sen
Founder
The revolutionary leader who founded the party and is honoured as the father of the Republic of China.
Chiang Kai-shek
Party leader, 1925 to 1975
Led the Republic of China on the mainland and then ruled Taiwan under martial law after 1949.
Ma Ying-jeou
President, 2008 to 2016
Pursued closer economic ties with mainland China and met Xi Jinping in 2015.
Sources and Further Reading
- Kuomintang (Wikipedia)en.wikipedia.org
- Official party websitekmt.org.tw
Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion Taiwan political test to see how your views compare with Kuomintang and the other parties.
Take the Taiwan Test
Social Policy
On social questions the party is moderately conservative and contains a range of views. Many of its members opposed same-sex marriage before its legalisation, and it tends to emphasise traditional family values, public order and Chinese cultural heritage.