Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, has observed the 130th anniversary of its founding. Its leader says he intends to continue to seek to ease tensions with China, which have grown as Beijing pressures Taiwan's ruling party.

The Kuomintang held a convention in the northern city of Taoyuan on Sunday to mark the day in 1894 when Sun Yat-sen founded the Revive China Society, the modern party's predecessor.

In his address to the gathering, Kuomintang leader Eric Chu stressed that it was his party that prevented the spread of communism and "saved Taiwan."

He added that the Kuomintang will continuously work to advance exchange and dialogue across the Taiwan Strait, which he says will ease tensions and play a role in stabilizing the region.

His remarks come as Beijing has been intensifying pressure on Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party.

Chu also pledged to build very close ties with important democracies, such as the United States, Japan, Singapore, and European countries.

Observers believe the Kuomintang aims to garner wide support by emphasizing its internationalization and building good relations with democratic countries.