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.”