Taiwan to Vote in Election that China Calls “Peace and War”

(V.News) –  On Saturday, Taiwan goes to the polls to elect a new president and parliament under the shadow of a Chinese assertiveness that has referred to the vote as a choice between “peace and war.”

According to Taiwan security officials, Beijing’s military and economic pressure on Taiwan could continue regardless of the outcome of the elections. Taipei continues to object strongly to Beijing’s claim to Taiwan, and Beijing has never renounced using force to subjugate it.

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, is also based in Taiwan, a territorially important country to Beijing. With both major parties supporting Taiwan’s sovereignty but offering contrasting views on the island’s relations with China, the future of Taiwan’s fraught ties with its giant neighbor will be at stake in the elections.

DPP Vice President Lai Ching-te, a presidential candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), offered talks with China and vowed not to upset the status quo in response to China’s threats. Lai said that Taiwan is in the midst of a battle between democracy and totalitarianism at a Tuesday campaign rally.

According to the DPP, Beijing is spreading fake news and exploiting military and economic pressure to interfere with the election. The Chinese government has branded those accusations against the DPP as dirty tricks and a ploy to “hype up” a threat to win votes.

China has staged two rounds of major war games in the past year and a half near Taiwan, including firing missiles into waters off the island in August 2022, as Beijing asserts sovereignty over the democratic island.

A leading opposition party in Taiwan, the Kuomintang (KMT), has attacked the DPP as separatists and pledged strong opposition to Taiwan’s independence. They also pledged to dialogue with China and continue to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses.

Taiwan’s presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, opposes Taiwan’s independence, will allow cross-strait peace, restart dialogue and exchanges, strengthen national defense, and let everyone live in peace in Taiwan.

FUTURE TAIWAN-CHINA RELATIONS:

Following a civil war with Mao Zedong’s communists, the defeated Republic of China government withdrew to Taiwan in 1949, establishing the People’s Republic of China. The Republic of China is Taiwan’s official name.

While both main parties believe Taiwan is already an independent country, they hold opposing views on relations with China. The KMT claims that both Taipei and Beijing are part of a single China, but each can interpret this differently under the “1992 consensus,” a tacit agreement signed between the then-KMT administration and China in 1992.

The DPP contends that Taiwan’s people should decide the country’s future, rejecting Beijing’s claims of sovereignty. If the DPP wins the presidential election, it will be the first time the party has held power for three consecutive terms since direct presidential voting began in 1996.

How China, where President Xi Jinping is embarking on a fresh anti-corruption sweep in the military and has persistent economic issues, reacts to the election results will be critical.

Taiwanese officials have frequently warned voters that Beijing is attempting to impact election outcomes through a “multifront” campaign, ranging from clandestine influence operations in temples and trade restrictions to financing low-cost vacations to China for local lawmakers and pressing a popular music band.

One Taiwanese security official, commenting on the condition of anonymity because to the sensitivity of the subject, said China might conduct more drills between the election and May 20, when the new president takes office.

“But certainly we must consider China’s problems, including its tolerance for international criticism,” the official went on to say. Since late December, Xi has repeatedly emphasized the significance of “reunification” with Taiwan in public statements, without mentioning the election or the use of force.

A second Taiwan security official warned that regardless of who is chosen, Beijing might exert economic pressure on the incoming leader before May 20, possibly by imposing anti-dumping charges on Taiwanese imports, after accusing Taiwan of installing unfair trade barriers last month.

According to an internal security assessment of various scenarios following the vote, Taiwan’s security units anticipate China will continue to whittle away at the few nations with official diplomatic ties with Taipei, which is now number 13, and increase its economic pressure, including trade inquiries.

LAWMAKER ELECTION:

In addition to the two major parties, the 2019-founded Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) has a third presidential candidate: Ko Wen-je, a former mayor of Taipei.

Despite the party’s present dismal representation in the legislature (only five seats out of 113), Ko has garnered the enthusiastic support of many young Taiwanese, who have shown up in droves to his campaign rallies to voice their disapproval of the exorbitant cost of housing and other necessities.

Both the DPP and the KMT have made winning a majority in parliament a central campaign issue, highlighting the importance of this election. Over the last four years, the DPP has controlled more than half of the legislature, giving it the ability to easily enact laws. After serving two consecutive four-year terms in office, DPP President Tsai Ing-wen is legally unable to compete for reelection.

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