TAIPEI, Taiwan. Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te secured victory in Taiwan’s presidential race on Saturday. His opponents conceded defeat, marking a significant outcome that will shape the future trajectory of the self-governed democracy’s relations with China over the next four years.
The island, located 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the coast of China, has been a focal point of tension, with Beijing asserting territorial claims and threatening military action if necessary.
The electoral campaign spotlighted not only the geopolitical implications but also domestic concerns, with issues such as a sluggish economy and skyrocketing housing costs taking center stage.
China framed the election as a choice between war and peace, expressing strong opposition to Lai, the current vice president and member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Both Lai and incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan, emphasizing the island’s commitment to democracy.
The Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang (KMT), was perceived as more China-friendly, and its candidate, Hou Yu-ih, pledged to restart talks with China while reinforcing national defense. He assured voters that unification with mainland China would not be pursued.
Adding complexity to the electoral landscape, Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) garnered support, particularly among younger voters seeking an alternative to the traditional DPP and KMT parties. Ko also expressed a willingness to engage with Beijing while emphasizing the importance of preserving Taiwan’s democratic values.
The United States, bound by laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, pledged support for the incoming government. The Biden administration plans to dispatch an unofficial delegation of former senior officials to the island shortly after the election.
Amidst the China tensions, domestic issues took precedence in the campaign, with concerns over affordable housing and stagnating wages resonating with voters. The election is viewed as having a substantial impact on the geopolitical landscape, influencing ties with China relative to the West and shaping developments in the South China Sea.
For voters like Tony Chen, 74, the election was a stark choice between communism and democracy. Stacy Chen, 43, emphasized her support for the DPP, citing Taiwan’s independence, while Ben Wang, 44, viewed the vote as an opportunity to reshape the dynamic between Taiwan’s main opposing parties.
As Gabrielle Reid, associate director with the global intelligence consultancy S-RM, notes, Taiwan’s election outcome will determine the nature of ties with China in relation to the West and will significantly affect the geopolitical balance in the South China Sea.
Despite the overarching China tensions, voters expressed deep concerns about domestic issues, particularly the economy’s sluggish growth, unaffordable housing, and wage stagnation.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
