Taiwan defies China, electing a new president Beijing labeled a separatist ‘troublemaker’

Taiwan defies China, electing a new president Beijing labeled a separatist ‘troublemaker’

Janis Mackey Frayer and Jennifer Jett

Voters in Taiwan elected Vice President Lai Ching-te as their next president on Saturday, defying warnings from Beijing not to support a candidate it has called a separatist and a “troublemaker.”

The presidential candidate for Taiwan’s main opposition party the Kuomintang, Hou Yu-ih, on Saturday conceded defeat in the election within hours of polls closing as Lai opened a wide lead of over a million votes. It is the first time in Taiwan's history that the same political party has held three consecutive terms. 

The election, which China had described as “a choice between war and peace,” could test recent efforts by Beijing and Washington to repair relations that in recent years have fallen to their lowest point in decades. The status of Taiwan, one of the strongest democracies in Asia, is among the most sensitive issues between the two superpowers, and focus will now turn to any potential show of force from Beijing in response.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force against the island, while the U.S. is Taiwan’s most important international backer. The majority of Taiwan’s 23 million people are in favor of maintaining the status quo, neither formally declaring independence nor becoming part of China.

Lai’s victory extends the eight-year rule of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is considered the least friendly to Beijing. Relations between Taiwan and China have deteriorated under President Tsai Ing-wen, who was first elected in 2016 and is limited to two terms.

During a press conference following his victory on Saturday, Lai said he will continue foreign affairs and national defense in line with predecessor Tsai Ing-wen. China cut off direct dialogue with Taiwan after Tsai was elected in 2016.

Lai said he hopes that China will “understand that only peace will benefit both sides of the Strait. In addition, global peace and stability depends on peace in the Taiwan strait. We hope that China understands the situation, because China also has a responsibility.”

Lai will take office for four years starting May 20.