Lai Ching-te, known as William Lai, candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and current vice president, won the presidential election in Taiwan. According to the candidate of the opposition party Kuomintang (KMT), Hou You-ih, considered closer to China, in third place is the centrist candidate Ko Wen-jie, of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP). Both Hou You-ih and Ko Wen-jie admitted defeat. The outcome of Taiwan’s presidential and parliamentary elections will chart the trajectory of relations with China over the next four years. At stake is the peace and stability of the 170-kilometer-wide strip of water between the Chinese mainland and the autonomous island, which China claims as its own. In addition to tensions with China, the elections largely depended on internal issues, such as the slowdown in the economy, housing affordability, the widening gap between rich and poor and unemployment.
In his speech after his victory, Lai said he was “determined to safeguard Taiwan from China’s continued threats and intimidation” and wanted to maintain the cross-strait status quo. “Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is an important responsibility,” he added, promising that he will “use dialogue to replace confrontation” in his exchanges with China.
There is great expectation for Beijing’s official position, although there is not great optimism given that China considers Lai “a dangerous pro-independence activist”. Definitions confirmed in recent days by Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, who advised: “Do not vote for Lai, he is an instigator of conflicts between the two sides.”
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
