Voters in Taiwan defied a campaign of heavy pressure from China, electing Beijing’s least favorite candidate for president Saturday in a victory that is likely to fuel further tensions between the island’s democracy and its communist neighbor.
Sitting Vice President Lai Ching-te — described by Beijing as a “troublemaker” — claimed a presidential victory with 40% of the vote in a three-way race.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own, has favored Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang, who came second with 33% of the vote. Hou has promised to restart diplomatic talks with the CCP.
The new Taiwan People’s Party, led by Ko Wen-je, got 26% of the vote to finish third.
“Taiwanese people have successfully resisted efforts from outside forces to influence this election,” Lai enthused in his acceptance speech.
The decision gave the ruling Democratic Progressive Party a third consecutive term in the presidency.
“We have shown the world how much we value our democracy,” Lai said. “This is our unwavering commitment.”
Vice President Lai Ching-te’s victory is likely to fuel tensions between Taiwan and China. AP
The CCP has long denounced Lai and his term-limited DPP partner, incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen, as “separatists” for rejecting China’s claim to sovereignty over Taiwan and its stated goal of reunification.
Chen Binhua, a spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said the decision would not change China’s policy.
“Our stance on resolving the Taiwan issue and realizing national reunification remains consistent, and our determination is rock solid,” Binhua said, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
Taiwanese people voted to re-elect the Democratic Progressive Party for a third consecutive term. AP
The United States’ longstanding “One China Policy” recognizes Beijing as China’s own legitimate government, without agreeing to its claim to rule Taiwan as well. The US has continued “informal relations” with Taiwan without formally recognizing it as an independent country.
President Biden said on Saturday that US policy towards Taiwan would also remain unchanged.
“We do not support independence,” Biden told reporters as he left the White House for a weekend at Camp David.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai in an official statement.
China has opposed Lai and his term-limited DPP partner, incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen. AP
“The United States is committed to maintaining peace and stability across the Straits, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure,” Blinken said. “We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and the leaders of all Taiwanese parties to advance our common interests and values, and to continue our long-established informal relationship, in line with the US one China policy.”
Meanwhile, Russia expressed support for China’s reunification plan — two weeks after Xi Jinping vowed to end Taiwan’s independence in a New Year’s address.
Moscow “continues to regard Taiwan as part of China,” a Russian foreign ministry spokesman said on Saturday.
“The expectation is that Beijing will crack down on Lai,” Yun Sun, a China foreign policy expert at the Stimson Center think tank, told the Wall Street Journal — with expanded military exercises in Taiwan’s waters, drone flights into its territory, and economic sanctions likely in the future. nearest
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
