Millions of Taiwanese people lined up at voting booths on Saturday to make decisions that could reshape the island democracy’s increasingly tense conflict with its much larger neighbor China. Who should be Taiwan’s next president in these dangerous times?
Voters will primarily be divided between the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which wants to keep Taiwan away from Chinese influence and says this is the best way to keep Taiwan safe, and the opposition Kuomintang Party, which vows to expand trade ties and expand trade ties. is selected. They argue that this will reduce the risk of war and resume negotiations with China. The upstart Taiwan People’s Party also pledged steps to revive engagement with China.
Taiwan’s polling stations closed at 4pm local time, and local news outlets immediately began broadcasting live video of election workers counting ballots. The results, likely to be announced Saturday night, could have repercussions far beyond the island, which has become the biggest flashpoint in the conflict between China and the United States. Changes in China-Taiwan relations after Taiwan’s next president takes office in May could either increase or ease tensions between China and the United States.
In some locations, lines started forming at polling places even before voting opened at 8 a.m., with many multigenerational families gathering in groups. Taiwanese citizens must vote in person, with no electronic or postal voting allowed, and people gathered at about 18,000 polling stations in temples, churches, community centers and schools across the island.Votes will be counted by hand after voting closes at 4 p.m.
“Taiwan’s presidential and vice-president elections will actually affect the future of not only Taiwan, but also Asia and the entire world,” said Chen Ting-bing, 56, a teacher who had just voted in the capital, Taipei. Told. “We all know the world is choosing sides right now.”
The race is close. Vice President Kiyonori Lai, the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, is seen as the most likely candidate. But many opinion polls in recent weeks have shown Kuomintang candidate Hou Youxi narrowing his lead over Mr. Lai to just a few percentage points.
And Taiwan People’s Party candidate Ko Wen-ji is banking on an unexpected victory driven by voters fed up with the two established parties. Mr. Ke’s party said nearly 200,000 people gathered for his rally in Taiwan’s capital Taipei on Friday night.
In Taipei, Mr. Ke showed up at school with his wife and voted along with a large crowd. Some had coffee in hand and quietly entered the polling place to cast their paper ballots.
One of his supporters, Jessica Chou, 25, said she believes the Democratic Progressive Party has brought Taiwan too close to Washington and wants the next leader to distance himself from both world powers.
Mr. Zhou, who said he voted for Mr. Gao, came out of school and said, “I’m worried about China, but I also don’t think we can always rely on the United States.” “I hope Taiwan can find a strategically advantageous position.”
Many described the solemn weight of using democratic means to decide which presidential candidate should face off against their larger, more authoritarian, and more heavily armed neighbor.
“I think it’s inevitable that my generation will have more conflicts with China,” Chen Shuang, 27, said after voting at an elementary school in the southern city of Chiayi. “So I want to cherish the opportunity to vote today even more.”
She voted for the Democratic Progressive Party and said she hopes the new president will expand relations with democratic countries.
On Friday night, political parties held raucous pre-election rallies across Taiwan. In Chiayi City, candidates from three parties drove campaign cars around a large fountain in a circle in the city center, shouting slogans and encouraging people to vote.
Crowds of supporters crowded the side streets surrounding the circle, waving colorful banners and large balloons. The parade was festive, with candidate vans playing thumping club music and some supporters wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes for no political reason.
Waving a Kuomintang flag at a rally in Chiayi City, Wu Lishu, a 60-year-old clothing store clerk, said she was concerned about the safety of Taiwan under the Democratic Progressive Party government. “Maybe they will push Taiwan into war,” she said. She said, “I’m worried about the other party taking power, but I respect the fruits of democracy.”
The candidates also debate domestic issues such as housing and energy policy, and accuse their rivals of shady land deals. But the China issue has overshadowed every major election here.
The Chinese government claims the island of 23 million people, about 160 miles off the Chinese coast, is Chinese territory and has called on its people to embrace unification, preferably peacefully. If Chinese leaders deem it necessary, they can also use force. The United States is by far Taiwan’s most important security backer, and under Presidents Biden and Trump it has become openly proactive in supporting the island against Chinese pressure.
Lai, the Democratic Progressive Party’s presidential candidate, is aiming for a third consecutive term in power, something no political party has achieved since Taiwan adopted direct presidential elections in 1996. He promised to stick to the current leadership’s approach. President Tsai Ing-wen: Stay away from China while avoiding conflict and strengthening ties with the United States and other democracies.
Since Tsai took office as president eight years ago, China has increased military pressure on Taiwan. Chinese jets and warships regularly conduct military tests on Taiwan, and a victory for Mr. Lai could increase that threat, at least for a while. The Chinese Communist Party has particularly criticized Mr. Lai, who early in his career referred to himself as a “practical figure” for Taiwan independence.
Hou pledged to ease tensions with China, arguing that strengthening ties with China through trade, tourism and public exchanges would help reduce the risk of conflict over Taiwan’s future. But even if Hou were to win, it would not erase the deep political differences between Taipei and Beijing.
The winner of Taiwan’s presidential election may also have to deal with difficult politics in the island’s 113-member parliament, which also votes on Saturday. Opinion polls show that the Democratic Progressive Party is likely to lose its current majority of members, and the Nationalist Party may not be able to gain a new majority, likely resulting in the Taiwan People’s Party playing a stronger role in the legislature. .