A populist Taiwanese mayor was recalled by voters on Saturday, abruptly ending the rise of a politician whose failed presidential bid had favoured closer ties with China. The historic recall by citizens in the democratic island that Beijing regards as part of its own territory — vowing to one day seize it, by force if necessary — comes as tensions with China surge. Han Kuo-yu was ousted by more than 40 percent of eligible voters in the southern city of Kaohsiung, with 97 percent of the ballots cast calling for the recall, according to the city’s elections commission.
