Taiwan's largest opposition Kuomintang party has called for unity of all forces opposing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party to achieve a change of power in next year's presidential election.

The party convention held on Sunday officially picked New Taipei City mayor Hou Yu-ih as its candidate for the presidential election, which will be held in January.

Hou criticized the Democratic Progressive Party for bringing about the danger of military conflict on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, which he says the world now views as the most dangerous place where a war is most likely to break out.

He said that if he is elected, he would make it his top priority to firmly maintain a democratic and free system, strengthen defense capabilities, and enhance cross-strait exchanges to reduce the risk of a clash.

Hou is lagging behind the other two major presidential candidates representing the ruling and opposition parties in recent polls.

The party leadership's selection of Hou as its presidential candidate without holding a preliminary election made some party members and supporters uneasy, which observers say could be adversely affecting his candidacy.

Party leader Eric Chu told the convention that in its bid to transform Taiwan, the party must be united with all forces to achieve a change of power in 2024.