January 9, 2024, 6:25 pm
Presidential and parliamentary elections will take place in Taiwan on January 13. These are elections in the shadow of its big neighbor, China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province and threatens reunification – even with violence if necessary, as Chinese party leader Xi Jinping has often announced.
The relationship with China is also the dominant issue of the election campaign in Taiwan. The Democratic Progressive Party, currently in power, wants to continue on the path to the greatest possible independence, while the opposition Kuomintang seeks greater proximity to China.
The election result could also have global political consequences if China continues to increase pressure on Taiwan.