- Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the election
- DPP wants to lead Taiwan away from totalitarianism and Beijing’s influence
- It is the first time that a party in Taiwan has won the presidency in three consecutive elections
Tensions between Taiwan and China increased last night after a man branded by the Chinese as a dangerous separatist was elected Taiwan’s new president.
Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which wants to lead Taiwan away from Beijing’s influence, had told voters before the opening of the polls that they faced a choice between democracy and totalitarianism.
“The whole world is watching,” he said with a rallying cry.
Later, the former doctor said in his victory speech that the island’s voters had shown the world “how much we cherish democracy.”
Beijing’s preferred candidate was Hou Yu-ih, from the opposition Kuomintang party, which wants closer ties with China.
Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, left, celebrates his election victory with running mate Bi-khim Hsiao in Taipei, Taiwan on Saturday
Taiwan’s 23 million residents live in one of the most tense flashpoint areas in the world.
There were fears last night that the election results would further increase tensions between the US and China as they vie for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Before the election, Beijing’s Defense Ministry said the People’s Liberation Army was “on alert at all times” and that it would “destroy” any move toward independence.
Lai said in his victory speech that he is “determined to protect Taiwan from continued threats and intimidation from China.”
But he added that his government will “use dialogue as a substitute for confrontation.”
This is the first time in the island’s 28-year democratic history that a party has won the presidency in three consecutive elections – a confirmation of DPP policy.
This is the first time in Taiwan’s 28-year democratic history that a party has won the presidency in three consecutive elections – an affirmation of DPP policy
Under outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, the DPP was a voice for the growing number of Taiwanese who reject unification with mainland China, which considers the area its own.
Beijing refuses any dialogue with a DPP government, but Taiwan has repeatedly accused China of trying to manipulate and intimidate voters ahead of the election.
Beijing warned that the island was at a “crossroads”, telling voters to “make the right choice” and saying a victory for the DPP could trigger a conflict over the Taiwan Strait.
But voters showed little sign of fear as they lined up in the bright winter sun to cast their ballots.
On the eve of the election, a record 758,000 train tickets were sold as citizens returned to their home districts to vote.
And on social media, many proudly revealed a red stamp on their hands indicating they had made their choice.
“I don’t like that China is coming to try to change this place,” Lisa Ou, 62, said after casting her vote at a polling station at National Taipei University.
She added: “So many people have fought to achieve democracy, so we must secure it.”
During the campaign, Mr Hou had accused Mr Lai and the DPP of endangering Taiwan by provoking China, which they dismissed by accusing him of being too close to China.
Beijing told voters to “make the right choice” and said a DPP victory could spark conflict across the Taiwan Strait, but voters showed little sign of fear as they gathered in the bright winter sun lined up to cast their votes.
China is deeply suspicious of Lai and accuses him of being a dangerous separatist.
Mr Lai has described himself as a “pragmatic worker for Taiwanese independence”.
However, the new president will face an uphill battle at home after his party failed to win a majority in parliament.
This will potentially hinder the new president’s ability to pass legislation and spend, especially in the area of defense.