TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) on Sunday emphasized the importance of distinguishing between cultural Chinese identity and political Chinese identity, responding to remarks made by fellow Kuomintang chair candidate Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文).

Cheng said Wednesday that under the Republic of China Constitution, all citizens are Chinese, per Liberty Times. She vowed to make every Taiwanese “proud to call themselves Chinese.”

In response, Hau identified himself as both Taiwanese and Chinese, specifying that his “China” is the Republic of China, per Newtalk. He explained that cultural Chinese identity stems from “the Chinese root of Taiwanese culture,” which he said should not be conflated with political allegiance.

KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) echoed Hau’s comments during the 73rd Overseas Chinese Festival Celebration, noting that the overseas Chinese being honored are of the Republic of China, per Liberty Times.

Tensions have also risen over Hau’s accusation that a fellow candidate is using foreign cyber operatives to interfere in the KMT chair election. Hau implied the candidate in question is a woman, with Cheng being the only female contender in the race, per NOWNews.

Cheng declined to respond directly to the accusation, saying she would not engage in speculation, per ETtoday. Former vice presidential candidate Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) condemned attacks from newly created YouTube channels based in China, while clarifying that his criticism was not aimed at Cheng, per UDN.

Another candidate, Chang Ya-chung (張亞中), criticized Cheng’s response as evasive, per RTI. He called on the party to launch an investigation and urged the accused individual to not only withdraw from the race but also leave the KMT entirely if the accusations were found to be true.

DPP China Affairs Department Director Wu Jun-zhi (吳峻鋕) weighed in on the controversy, calling it another example of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front tactics, per Liberty Times. He said the CCP often uses a “divide and conquer” approach, aligning with secondary adversaries to target its primary opponents.

Wu argued that while the KMT has long benefited from this strategy, it is now becoming a target of the same approach. He claimed the CCP favors Cheng over Hau in the KMT chair election.