Taiwan: The recent presidential election in the country ended with the triumph of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate, Lai Ching-te. Despite China’s threats, voters rallied behind Lai Ching-te, signalling a potential rise in tensions between Taiwan and China. By 7:45 pm (local time), Lai secured over 5 million votes, capturing more than 40 percent of the total vote share with 90 percent of votes counted.
Lai Ching-te’s Main Competitors During The Elections
During the presidential race, Lai faced two opponents – Hou Yu-ih from Taiwan’s major opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), advocating for friendly relations with China, and Ko Wen-je, the former Taipei mayor from the smaller Taiwan People’s Party. Both Hou and Ko conceded defeat after receiving 33 percent and 26 percent of the votes, respectively.
While addressing the nation after his triumph, Lai emphasized that Taiwan is already independent and doesn’t need to declare independence formally. The vice president of Taiwan expressed readiness to negotiate with China while not conceding to its claim of ruling over the country.
China labels Lai Ching-te As a Dangerous Leader
Before the election, China had repeatedly labeled Lai as a dangerous separatist leader. However, Lai remains committed to maintaining peace in Taiwan and strengthening its security. China escalated its military presence to influence Taiwanese voters against supporting Lai, citing its stance on an independent Taiwan.
Lai Ching-te Anticipated Victory
Lai was a formidable candidate for the presidency, and his victory was widely anticipated. His win might trigger a displeased reaction from China, which asserts Taiwan as its territory, potentially complicating the implementation of DPP policies. If Lai’s party loses its parliamentary majority, its ability to pass laws may be hindered. Nevertheless, Lai could form a cabinet that includes members from the opposition or non-party affiliations.
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