China skeptic Lai Ching-te wins Taiwan's presidential election
Taiwan’s Ruling Party Wins Third-Straight Presidential Term #
Taiwan’s ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has won an unprecedented third-straight presidential term. The incoming leader, Lai Ching-te, has pledged to govern with an open-minded approach and seek consensus in a split legislature. The outcome of the election is expected to raise concerns in Beijing, as Lai has been labeled a “stubborn worker for Taiwan independence” by Chinese authorities. There are fears that this could further strain China-U.S. relations and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The Kuomintang (KMT), Beijing’s preferred political partner, obtained approximately 33% of the vote. The DPP’s victory signals the party becoming the first to win the presidency three times since direct elections began in 1996.
Despite the victory, the DPP’s relationship with China remains complicated. The Chinese Communist Party has refused to engage with Taiwan’s outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen due to her party’s rejection of the “1992 Consensus” that acknowledges “one China.” Lai, Taiwan’s current vice-president, secured over 40% of the popular vote. China had framed the election as a choice between peace or war and prosperity or decline. The race for control of Taiwan’s legislature, consisting of 113 seats, remains uncertain. The new Taiwanese government will face challenges related to economic issues, including stagnant wages, escalating rents, and high inflation.
China’s claim over Taiwan has not wavered since the Kuomintang party fled to the island following their defeat in the Chinese civil war in 1949. Chinese President Xi Jinping considers reunification with Taiwan as a “historical inevitability” and has emphasized its significance in China-U.S. relations. U.S. President Joe Biden has promised to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion, a stance that has displeased Beijing. Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 caused a hiatus in communication between the U.S. and China before tentative resumption recently.