Taiwan, Saturday (13/1), held presidential and parliamentary elections which China considers a choice between war and peace. The vote comes amid increasing pressure from Beijing to gain recognition of sovereignty over the island.
Taiwan has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996. The election was the culmination of decades of Taiwan’s struggle against authoritarian rule and military law.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates a separate Taiwanese identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, is seeking a third term with its candidate Lai Ching-te. Lai serves as vice president in the current government.
Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, also called William, walks to the ballot box during elections in Tainan City, southern Taiwan, Saturday, January 13, 2024. (Photo: AP)
Speaking to reporters in the southern city of Tainan before voting, Lai encouraged people to cast their ballots.
“Every vote is appreciated, because this is Taiwan’s hard-won democracy,” he said in brief remarks.
In the run-up to the election, China repeatedly denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist and rejected his repeated calls for talks. Lai said he was committed to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, and continuing to improve the island’s defense.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said on Saturday (13/1) morning that it had again seen Chinese balloons crossing the Taiwan Strait, one of which even flew over Taiwan. The ministry condemned a reported spate of balloons crossing the strait as psychological warfare and a threat to aviation safety in the past month.
Lai faces two opponents for the presidency – Hou Yu-ih of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the small Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which was only founded in 2019.
Hou wants to restart engagement with exchanges between individuals. He, like China, accused Lai of supporting Taiwan’s formal independence. Lai said Hou was pro-Beijing, a charge Hou denied.
A woman emerges from a voting booth at a polling station in Taipei, Taiwan, January 13, 2024. (Photo: AP)
Meanwhile Ko has a large support base, especially among young voters, because he focuses on important issues such as high housing costs. He also wants to re-engage China. But he insisted that it should not come at the expense of protecting Taiwan’s democracy and way of life.
The parliamentary elections are equally important for Taiwan, especially if none of the three parties is able to gain a majority. This has the potential to hamper the president-elect’s ability to pass laws and the state budget, especially for the defense sector.
Voting was open for eight hours and closed at 16.00 local time. (Ah)