A former Taiwan lawmaker who has advocated closer ties to China won the contest to become the leader of the island¡¯s biggest opposition party.

Cheng Li-wun won 50.2% of votes on Saturday, according to a statement by the Kuomintang (KMT), beating five other candidates. She is the third woman to lead the party. Current chairman Eric Chu didn¡¯t join the contest.

¡°The ending of elections is the beginning of unity,¡± Cheng said in her victory speech. ¡°We will not just unite KMT, but also all of Taiwan.¡±