New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih has been named by the Kuomintang (KMT) as its candidate in the leadership election in Taiwan slated for January 2024.

The KMT's central committee on Wednesday formally nominated Hou as the candidate, ahead of Foxconn founder Terry Gou.

KMT chairman Eric Chu said the decision was made based on polling data and the opinions of senior party members.

Hou will go up against William Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party in the election. (Agencies)