TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s main opposition party elected former leader Eric Chu as its chairman on Saturday with a pledge to renew stalled talks with China, which has ramped up military and political pressure against the island Beijing claims as its own territory.

Chu (60), a former mayor in New Taipei City beat Johnny Chiang, Kuomintang (KMT), and the two other candidates for the chairmanship. However, Chu will not be taking over as soon as he is elected.

KMT lost presidential and parliamentary elections to the Democratic Progressive Party (NYSE:) Party last year. They failed to discredit DPP’s accusations that a vote for them is no different from a vote in China.

Chu declared that when it came time to China policy, his party wouldn’t become “little” DPP. Beijing denies they are separatists and Chu spoke out after Chu won.

He stated that “We will rebuild cross-Taiwan Strait communication platforms and exchange platforms”

KMT, which ruled China from 1949 to 1949 when it lost a civil battle to the Communists’, fled Taiwan. This party has always been close to Beijing and this has made it increasingly hostile towards many Taiwanese.

The 17 month tenure of Chiang saw increased China-China pressure on Taiwan. Beijing also feared that China was not fully committed to the acceptance of Taiwan. High-level KMT contacts with China’s Communist Party became a deadlock.

Chu was in Beijing with President Xi Jinping on 15 May 2015. He confirmed that both the Taiwan Strait sides are part of China, but gave different interpretations.

Chu was an American-educated, urbane leader of the KMT. He resigned in 2016, after being defeated by Tsai Ingwen in Taiwan’s presidential election.

The KMT is still divided over the direction it should take following last year’s electoral defeat. Chu, however, promised an “unprecedented unity” and vowed to continue his leadership.

Taiwan’s mayoral elections will take place next year. While they will mostly focus on local issues and will provide support in the run-up to 2024, it will still be important.