Taiwan opposition unveils China affairs group

TAIPEI (AP) - Taiwan's main opposition party has unveiled plans to try to repair its troubled relations with China, a major factor in its recent presidential election defeat.

At a late Wednesday meeting, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) sanctioned the establishment of a "China Affairs Committee" to coordinate its ties with the mainland.

The DPP move comes following its January election defeat in which standard bearer Ms Tsai Ing-wen was outpointed by incumbent Mr Ma Ying-jeou of the rival Nationalists.

Local commentators believe a big reason for Ms Tsai's loss was her failure to convince Taiwanese that China would not punish a DPP president for the party's formal support for Taiwanese independence. By contrast Mr Ma emphasized China reconciliation and deepening Taiwan's already close economic ties with the mainland.