Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te vows to defend Island from China 'intimidation'

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te has secured victory in Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday and is set to be the next President amid concerns of escalating tensions with China.

Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te vowed Saturday to stand “on the side of democracy” and defend the self-ruled island from “intimidation” from China, which has branded him as a threat to peace in the flashpoint region.

The island, situated 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the coast of China, is a focal point in the delicate balance of regional peace and stability. Beijing asserts its claim over Taiwan, considering it as part of its territory and expressing the intent to reclaim it by force if deemed necessary.

The election results will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of cross-strait relations between Taiwan and China in the foreseeable future.

Addressing supporters after his two opponents conceded defeat, Lai thanked the Taiwanese people for “writing a new chapter in our democracy”.

“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.

“I will act… in a manner that is balanced and maintain the cross-strait status quo,” he said.

But he also vowed “to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threat and intimidation from China”.

According to the Central Election Commission report, Lai received over 5 million votes and more than 40 per cent of the vote share after counting was done from over 90 per cent of polling stations as of 7:45 pm (local time).

Previously undecided voters split three ways among the candidates, giving Lai a seven-point lead over Kuomintang candidate Hou Yu-ih, who received 33 per cent of the total votes.

In third place, the Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-je took 26 per cent of the national vote, performing marginally better than expected, according to Taiwan News.

Lai, who previously served as Tainan’s mayor has pledged to continue bolstering national defense, the economy, and cooperation with democratic allies. He also said he would maintain deterrence and uphold the cross-strait status quo, during an election speech.

Lai said he would form a new government staffed by individuals based on their ‘capabilities’ rather than ‘party affiliation’, adding that this way, “it could effectively respond to challenges, be open and inclusive, and unite Taiwanese to face both domestic and international challenges”.

He also vowed to continue initiatives focusing on value-based diplomacy, cross-strait stability, defence self-sufficiency, economic upgrading, energy transition, youth investment, housing justice, and educational equality.
This will shape Taiwan to be “a stable and indispensable force in the international community,” he said.

Lai’s victory will surely cause protest from Beijing, which would have preferred the China-friendly KMT and Hou Yu-ih in power. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office on Thursday labelled Lai as an “obstinate Taiwan independence worker” that would bring “cross-strait confrontation and conflict”, according to Taiwan News.

China has increased military activities around Taiwan in recent years, including near-daily incursions into the country’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) and sending military ships near its maritime borders. With Lai as president, the Taiwanese have made clear they will not back down from Chinese intimidation.

With inputs from agencies.