China critic Lai wins elections in Taiwan – China reacts indignantly. Pentagon chief oversaw military strike from hospital

In a setback for Beijing, William Lai of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has won the elections in Taiwan. “I would like to thank the people of Taiwan for writing a new chapter in our democracy,” the 64-year-old said in Taipei on Saturday evening (local time). The opponents had previously admitted defeat.

After counting the majority of the ballots, the former vice president received about 40 percent of the votes, according to local media.

Behind him was his challenger Huo Yu-ih from the China-friendly and conservative Kuomintang (KMT) with about 33 percent. Another candidate of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), Ko Wen-je, obtained about 26 percent, according to figures from the broadcaster.

The official final results were expected late in the evening. At the same time, the 19.5 million eligible voters decided on the new parliament, the Legislative Yuan, in which the DPP previously had an absolute majority.

Expert: More tension possible

“Lai’s victory will increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and Beijing is expected to respond by increasing pressure on Taiwan,” said Helena Legarda, foreign and security policy expert at the Merics China Institute in the German news agency Berlin.

Military exercises or coercive measures in the field of trade policy are possible. However, the expert considered a war in the strait unlikely. Beijing will maintain the current level of pressure to prevent escalation.

Objective: further strengthen national defense

The Progressive Party, which clearly distances itself from China, has set a new record with the election results. It is the first party to win three consecutive terms since Taiwan began directly electing a president in 1996. In the island state, the head of state appoints the prime minister and is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

A new government under the DPP presidency is likely to bring Taiwan even closer to the US, while tensions with China continue and may even worsen. Taiwan’s relationship with China was a dominant issue in the election campaign. Lai had announced that he would continue the line of his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen – who was sharply criticized by Beijing and was no longer allowed to run for office after two terms in office.

The previous vice president had also stated that he wanted to protect “the survival of the country and the lives of its people.” Lai wants to further strengthen national defense, work more closely with the democratic camp and use deterrence to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. “Peace is based on strength, not on the goodwill of the invaders,” he said.

What are the reactions to the election victory?

The EU welcomed the conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan. A spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Saturday that all voters who took part in the democratic exercise would be congratulated. Taiwan and the EU share their commitment to democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

The spokesperson also emphasized that the EU views peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as crucial for regional and global security and prosperity. “The EU remains concerned about rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and rejects any unilateral attempt to change the status quo,” he said, referring to China’s claims to power.

The United States also congratulated Lai. With the elections, the Taiwanese people have once again demonstrated the strength of its robust democratic system and electoral process, the US State Department said in Washington on Saturday. They look forward to working with Lai and leaders of all parties to promote “common interests and values” and advance long-standing unofficial ties in line with the One China policy.

How did China respond?

Beijing broke off contact with Taipei in 2016. The Communist Party has historically argued that Taiwan is part of China, even though the country has never ruled the island and has had an independent, democratically elected government there for decades. She repeatedly accuses the DPP of separatism. China wants ‘reunification’ and, if necessary, to achieve it militarily. However, a war in the Taiwan Strait, which is important for international shipping, would hit global trade very hard and involve the US.

The CP therefore responded less enthusiastically to the elections. “No matter how the situation on the island of Taiwan changes, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is part of China cannot change,” the government said in Beijing on Sunday evening (local time). . Chinese government spokesman for Taiwan Affairs Chen Binhua said the election results in Taiwan show that the Progressive Party does not represent the majority of mainstream public opinion on the island. China will oppose “separatist moves towards independence for Taiwan.”

What is the Taiwan Strait all about?

Tensions in the Taiwan Strait, a critically important international trade route, have increased over the years. The People’s Liberation Army now flies fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defense zone almost every day as a show of force. China broke off contact with the Taiwanese government in 2016 after the DPP led by Tsai Ing-wen won the presidential election. Beijing also repeatedly threatens to use military force if “reunification” fails. China has historically justified Taiwan being part of the People’s Republic.

If Taiwan were to officially declare its independence, it would be a reason for Beijing to escalate the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Lai therefore wants to improve Taiwan’s defenses and prevent China from starting a conflict. In his own words, he does not believe it is necessary to officially declare Taiwan’s independence.

Activist: A clear distinction between China and the Communist Party is necessary

Lai should be in the eyes of Wang Dan, an activist and student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in Beijingalso make a clear distinction between China and the Communist Party.

The dissident, who now lives in Taiwan, also demanded that the island republic become actively involved in global issues in order to be recognized as a member.

Beijing considers Taiwan a Chinese territory, even though the island has had an independent, democratic government for decades. However, the DPP supports Taiwan’s independence, although Lai does not want to officially declare it. For China, this case could form the basis for an escalation of the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing had already threatened several times to use military resources if a ‘reunification’ of Taiwan failed. A conflict on the important shipping route would have enormous consequences for global trade and would involve the US as an ally of Taiwan.

dsc/sda/dpa)