President-elect vows to defend Taiwan
TAIPEI—Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te vowed on Saturday to defend the self-ruled island from “intimidation” by China, after voters defied warnings from Beijing and swept him to election victory.
Lai—branded by Beijing as a threat to peace in the flashpoint region—secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Saturday’s poll after a raucous campaign in which he pitched himself as a defender of Taiwan’s democratic way of life.
Communist China claims democratic Taiwan, separated from the mainland by a 180-kilometer strait, as its own and refuses to rule out using force to bring about “unification,” even if conflict does not appear imminent.
Beijing, which before the poll called Lai a “severe danger” and urged voters to shun him, said on Saturday the result would not stop “the inevitable trend of China’s reunification.”
In his victory speech, Lai said he would maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but pledged to defend the island from Chinese belligerence.“We are determined to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threats and intimidation from China,” he told supporters.
With votes from all polling stations counted, the Central Election Commission said Lai won 40.1 percent of votes, ahead of Hou Yu-ih of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) with 33.5 percent.
The election was watched closely by both Beijing and Washington, Taiwan’s main military partner, as the two superpowers tussle for influence in the strategically vital region.
New chapter
Lai thanked the Taiwanese people for “writing a new chapter in our democracy” by defying one-party-state China’s threats and warnings.
“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy,” he said, adding that he will also try to pursue exchanges with China.
Before Saturday’s poll, authorities repeatedly warned of interference from China, pointing to paid trips to the mainland for voters and flagging disinformation that painted Lai in a negative light.
After his win, Lai said the island had “successfully resisted efforts from external forces to influence this election.”The victory extends DPP’s rule after eight years under outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, who had served the maximum two four-year terms.
Supporters wearing the party’s green colors celebrated at DPP headquarters.
“We are very, super, world-class happy,” said first-time voter Grace, 21, a student who gave only one name.
“I am confident the new leaders will stick to Tsai’s road and I hope they can safeguard Taiwan’s democracy.
Conceding defeat, KMT’s Hou, who had argued for warmer ties with China and accused the DPP of antagonizing Beijing with its stance that Taiwan is “already independent,” urged the country to unite.People’s voice
“When the people have made their decision, we face them and we listen to the voices of the people,” he told supporters.
Ko Wen-je—who took 26.5 percent of the vote with an antiestablishment offer of a “third way”—said the results put his Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) on the map as a “key opposition force.”
During the campaign, the KMT and TPP tried to strike a deal to join forces against the DPP, but the partnership collapsed in acrimony over who would lead the presidential ticket.
Despite his win, Lai faces a headache already—in legislative elections held alongside the presidential ballot, the DPP lost its majority in parliament.
According to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission, KMT took 52 seats, with DPP on 51, TPP eight and two independents.
Located on a key maritime gateway linking the South China Sea to the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan is home to a powerhouse semiconductor industry producing precious microchips—the lifeblood of the global economy, powering everything from smartphones and cars to missiles.
Many countries engage with Taiwan through unofficial or nongovernmental channels, though without recognizing it diplomatically—instead recognizing only China, in line with Beijing’s “one-China” policy.
