'Exercise your right as a citizen': Millions of Taiwanese go to the polls on Saturday to choose their next president, despite threats from China, which claims the island and vows to “crush” any desire for independence.
• Also read: The Chinese military says it will “crush” any attempt at Taiwan independence.
• Also read: China calls on the US not to interfere in Taiwan's presidential election
• Also read: Chinese satellite: Beijing accuses Taipei of intentionally sowing “panic” in Taiwan
Pictures from Taiwanese media show long queues at polling stations, which opened at 8:00 a.m. (0000 GMT) and closed at 4:00 p.m. (08:00 GMT). In other cases, we see Taiwanese returning to the country for the occasion as voting is not permitted abroad.
In 2020, turnout was nearly 75% in this territory of 23 million people, 180 kilometers from the Chinese coast and considered a model of democracy in Asia.
The election will take place in one round and the results are expected in the evening.
“I think it's a good thing that everyone can come and vote and exercise their rights as a citizen,” Eve, 27, who came to attend the opening, told AFP.
“I looked into the ballot box and felt that I have never been as excited as I am now because I believe that there is a candidate who can bring hope for the future of Taiwan,” said Karen, a 54-year-old teacher to reveal their choice.
The vote's favorite, Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is seen by Beijing as a “serious threat” because he is aligned with outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen. who claims that the island is de facto independent.
Since its election in 2016, China has cut off all high-level communications with Taiwan, which it considers one of its provinces.
– “Peace not war” –
Opposite him, Hou Yu-ih, candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), the largest opposition party, advocates rapprochement with Beijing. The third candidate, Ko Wen-je from the small Taiwan People's Party (TPP), presents himself as anti-system.
On Friday evening, the three candidates held their final interviews in front of tens of thousands of people.
“We want peace, not war,” proclaimed the colorful signs held by supporters at KMT meetings.
But “if China declares war, I will stay in Taiwan,” Yoyo Chen, a 30-year-old tailor, promised at DPP meetings. And “I will fight them even if all I have left is a broom.”
All week, Beijing has increased its diplomatic and military pressure. According to the Taiwanese Defense Ministry, five Chinese balloons again crossed the median line separating the autonomous island from China on Thursday, also detecting 10 aircraft and six warships.
China urged voters to make “the right choice.” The Chinese army has vowed to “crush” any attempt at “independence” from Taiwan.
“Frankly, Beijing should stop interfering in other countries’ elections and instead organize its own elections,” said Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu.
Lai Ching-te denounced “the Chinese principle of 'one China'”. “Peace without sovereignty is just like Hong Kong,” the candidate warned.
– “Paper Tiger” –
Taiwan's status is one of the most explosive issues in the rivalry between China and the United States, the territory's main military backer, and Washington plans to send an “informal delegation” to the island after the vote.
On Friday, American diplomatic chief Antony Blinken met in Washington with Liu Jianchao, head of the international department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
He reminded him of the importance of “maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwanese are also voting to renew their parliament, although the DPP could lose its majority.
“After eight years in power of the DPP, it is really time for change,” assured AFP a Taiwanese pensioner who has lived in the Chinese city of Xiamen, opposite Taiwan, for 20 years.
Because “a new DPP victory would certainly worsen relations with China,” added the man, who said he had to take the ferry to vote on Saturday.
But in Taipei, Liu Pei-chi, a 40-year-old high school teacher, mocks Beijing, calling it a “paper tiger.”
“Once you understand their tricks, you are no longer afraid,” adds this DPP voter. “I hope to defend my country and our democracy and let the world know about it.”
A conflict in the Taiwan Strait would be catastrophic for the economy: the island supplies 70% of the world's semiconductors and more than 50% of the world's containers pass through the strait.