Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te won Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday. China, the United States, and many other countries have a strong interest in the island’s politics. Observers wonder about the future of the country and its relations around the world.
Beijing officials tried to villainize Lai, also known as William Lai, during his campaign. A Chinese spokesperson even called Lai a “destroyer of peace.” Most experts say Beijing favored the candidate from the more China-friendly Nationalist party.
Nevertheless, Lai emerged victorious.
That result irks China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own. The Communist-controlled country is even on record as saying it will retake Taiwan by force if necessary.
Analysts expect a show of displeasure from Chinese President Xi Jinping. They say the strongest gesture may not come until May, when Lai takes office. It could involve military exercises around the island, restrictions on imports from Taiwan, or both.
Already, China sends fighter jets and warships into the skies and waters around Taiwan on an almost daily basis. It’s a constant reminder of the threat of invasion if the government refuses to become part of China.
China’s preference is for what it calls “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan. But that outcome appears unlikely as Taiwan continues to reject the idea of becoming part of China. Taiwan’s objections grew stronger after the curbs on democracy and freedoms that China imposed in Hong Kong.
Issues such as the sluggish economy and expensive housing were important in the campaign. But it was Lai’s appeal to self-government, social justice, and rejection of China’s threats that ultimately won out.
At a post-election news conference, Lai thanked the Taiwanese electorate for “writing a new chapter in our democracy. We have shown the world how much we cherish our democracy.”
He added, “The Taiwanese people have successfully resisted efforts from external forces to influence this election.”
Lai supporter Hsieh Hsin-chou says he was “very proud” of the election result. “We choose our own president in Taiwan. We are a country. . . . We love freedom. We love democracy. We [are] supposed to choose our new president,” Hsieh says.
China spokesperson Chen Binhua says Beijing claims the election result doesn’t reflect “the mainstream public opinion on the island.” He gave no evidence for his statements.
“This election cannot change the basic situation and the direction of cross-[Taiwan] Strait relations, nor can it change the common desire of compatriots on both sides to get closer and closer,” Chen says. “Nor can it stop the general trend that the motherland will eventually and inevitably be reunified.”
The United States does not have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. However, U.S. law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern.”
Evelyn Ni, a Chinese citizen living abroad, traveled to Taiwan to get a taste of an election.
“I would really like to experience what it is like to be empowered,” the 24-year-old student says. She has started paying closer attention to relations between Taipei and Beijing after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She worries that China could one day do the same with Taiwan.
Stacy Chen voted for Lai and his party. She wants her son to grow up in a country separate from China.
For Tony Chen, the election boiled down to a choice between communism and democracy. He believes the crackdown on civil liberties under current President Xi repulses most people.
Just before the polls closed, he said, “I hope democracy wins.”
It did—for now.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. — Proverbs 29:2
