Opposition claims victory in Taiwan vote

TAIPEI, Taiwan, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- The Nationalist Party has claimed victory in mid-term elections in Taiwan, a setback for President Chen Shui-bian.

A spokesman for the Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang, said the party won 14 of 23 races for city and county magistrates, the BBC reported.

The KMT said the outcome is a sign that the electorate has lost confidence in Chen and his Democratic Progressive Party.

Chen, during the campaign, took a hard line on China, a tricky issue in Taiwan. China regards the island as a breakaway province and few countries give Taiwan full diplomatic recognition.