Taiwanese voters have elected Lai Ching-te, the vice president of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as their new president, defying China’s warnings not to vote for him in an election Beijing framed as a choice between war and peace Taiwan.
Lai’s victory has brought the DPP an unprecedented third term, which has never been seen under Taiwan’s current electoral system.
The election was about tensions with China and domestic issues such as a slowed economy, housing affordability, a yawning gap between rich and poor, and unemployment.
China’s Reaction
China framed the poll as a choice between war and peace and denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist in the run-up to the election. Beijing warned that any moves towards Taiwan towards formal independence would be considered a declaration of war. Lai comes from a more radical wing of the DPP party, which champions Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Domestic Issues
Apart from tensions with China, the election hinged on domestic issues, such as a slowed economy, housing affordability, a yawning gap between rich and poor, and unemployment. The candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist party, also known as Kuomintang, or KMT, was believed to be favoured by Beijing. Its candidate, Hou Yu-ih, had promised to restart talks with China while bolstering national defence.
He promised not to move toward unifying the two sides of the Taiwan Strait if elected. A third candidate, Ko Wen-je of the more minor Taiwan People’s Party, or TPP, had particularly drawn the support of young people wanting an alternative to the KMT and DPP, Taiwan’s traditional opposing parties, which have largely taken turns governing since the 1990s.
Mr. Ko had also stated he wanted to speak with Beijing, and his bottom line would be that Taiwan must remain democratic and free.
US Support
The US, bound by its laws to provide Taiwan with the weapons needed to defend itself, has pledged support for whichever government emerges, reinforced by the Biden administration’s plans to send an unofficial delegation of former senior officials to the island shortly after the election.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Taiwan’s election has brought the DPP an unprecedented third term, with Lai Ching-te as the new president. The election was about tensions with China and domestic issues such as a slowed economy, housing affordability, a yawning gap between rich and poor, and unemployment. The US has pledged support for whichever government emerges, and the Biden administration plans to send an unofficial delegation of former senior officials to the island shortly after the election.
