From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 1 hour ago, updated 25 minutes ago
Outgoing Vice President Lai Ching-te. YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP
The incumbent vice president came first in Taiwan's presidential election after incomplete results. His main opponent Hou Yu-ih suffered defeat.
Taiwan's presidential election candidate, described as a “serious threat” by China because of his pro-independence stance, is leading Saturday's vote, according to partial official results. At the start of the evening, outgoing Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was credited with 41.6% of the vote, according to these official results, which cover more than 60% of polling stations. Lai Ching-te, 64, has been described as a “serious threat” by Beijing because his party claims the island is de facto independent.
His main opponent, Hou Yu-ih, 66, a Kuomintang (KMT) candidate who favors rapprochement with Beijing, received 33.2% of the vote, according to this Central Election Commission count. He admitted defeat and thereby conceded victory to his rival.
The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, 64, of the small Taiwan People's Party (TPP), who portrays himself as anti-establishment, came in third with 25.3%.
Outgoing Vice President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was the favorite in that election, closely followed by Beijing, which claims Taiwan as one of its provinces, and Washington, the island's main backer and arms supplier.
The outcome of this one-round election will be crucial to the future of their relationship, and on Wednesday the United States announced it would send an “informal delegation” to Taiwan following the vote. “If he (Lai Ching-te) comes to power, he will continue to promote separatist activities related to Taiwan's independence,” which is “a harmful path,” estimated a spokesman for China's office in charge of relations with the island. Chen Binhua.
Elections under pressure
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. The United States also plans to send “an informal delegation” to Taiwan after the election, a senior American official said Wednesday. “It would be provocative if Beijing responded (to the election results) with more military pressure or coercive measures,” warned this official, who requested anonymity.
On Tuesday, Lai Ching-te again condemned Beijing's attempts to interfere “by all means,” including “political and military intimidation.” On Thursday, his main opponent Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), who has traditionally favored rapprochement with China, vowed not to “sell” the island to China and to maintain a strong relationship with the United States. United, his “loyal ally”.
Speaking to the foreign press, he rejected the DPP's accusations that it was a “pro-China candidate who wants to sell Taiwan.” “Taiwan is a democratic and free country,” he said, and “whatever China thinks, public opinion in Taiwan wants us to maintain the status quo.” The issue of “reunification” will not be on the agenda if he is elected stand, he also promised. Chinese President Xi Jinping assured in his New Year's address that China will “certainly be reunified.” Faced with increasing pressure from Beijing, outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen (also from the DPP), who has been in office since 2016, has increased the defense budget and arms purchases from the US in recent years.
Also read – Taiwan presidential election: One week before the election, everything you need to know about a very geopolitical election
If elected, Hou Yu-ih will “not only increase arms purchases, but also strengthen military cooperation between Taiwan and the United States,” he said on Thursday. “We will maintain good communication with the United States. We are pleased to see the United States playing a positive role in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he added. “Whatever happens here, the United States will always remain our loyal ally.”