After independence supporter Lai Ching-te won the presidential election in Taiwan, the island nation's government called on its neighbor China to “respect” the election results.
Taiwan's Foreign Ministry today called on Chinese leaders in a statement to “respect the election results, recognize reality and stop repressing Taiwan.” This is necessary so that “positive” interactions between Taipei and Beijing can “get back on track”.
China sees no alternative to “reunification”.
The previous vice president, Lai, clearly won yesterday's presidential elections. The 64-year-old politician from President Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) received 40.1% of the vote, while his main opponent, Hou Yu-ih from the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT), received 33.5%.
In response to the election result, Beijing said it would not prevent the “reunification” of China and that it was “inevitable”. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that should be reunited with the mainland – if necessary, with military force.
The election result was seen as crucial to the future relationship between Taipei and the increasingly aggressive Beijing. China has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, including with military maneuvers, which has repeatedly fueled fears of a possible invasion.