China's response was as devastating as expected. A few hours after the results of Taiwan's presidential election were released, in which Lai Ching-te – a candidate hated by Beijing and viewing him as a separatist – won, the country made clear it would not take no for an answer. separatist activity” on the island. The vote “will not hinder the inevitable trend toward reunification with China,” said a spokesman for the office responsible for relations with Taiwan. Statements that correspond to the rejection that this man arouses in the Chinese Communist Party, for which “reunification” with the small territory, through negotiations or by force, is a fundamental goal.
In doing so, China urged Taiwanese people to “make the right choice” in this election. Attempts at intimidation have also increased in recent days: five Chinese balloons crossed the center line of the strait on Thursday, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said, and ten aircraft and six warships were also spotted.
These threats were not enough. Lai Ching-te was elected president of Taiwan on Saturday with just over 40% of the vote. He will succeed Tsai Ing-wen, whose vice president he served for several years, in May. The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) candidate is ahead of his main rival Hou Yu-ih, 66, who favored rapprochement with Beijing. “I congratulate Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim (his vice president) on their election and hope that they will not disappoint the expectations of the Taiwanese people,” responded the latter, who came second with just over 30% of the votes. Voices.
For his part, Lai Ching-te congratulated his voters for “successfully resisting the efforts of external forces to influence this election.” “We are determined to protect Taiwan from China’s continued threats and intimidation,” he assured his cheering supporters, waving red and green flags.
For the status quo
This 64-year-old man entered politics in the 1990s, particularly in the face of military pressure from China, at a time when Taiwan was opening to democracy. As a trained doctor and graduate of Harvard University, he gradually climbed up the political ladder: first deputy, then mayor, he became Prime Minister of Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. At the time, his comments from Parliament earned him the enmity of Beijing. “I am a pragmatic supporter of independence,” he said at the time.
Statements that he has never denied, even if his positions seem to have softened since then. During the election campaign, Lai Ching-te therefore promised “unwavering” support for maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. In other words: neither independence nor ties to China.
These statements reflect “a fairly measured attitude and promise that there will be no unpleasant surprises,” says Mathieu Duchâtel, director of the Asia program at the Institut Montaigne, whom Lai Ching-te “above all wants to reassure.” “But there are very strong doubts on the Chinese side about its deep convictions, which it sees as a supporter of independence,” the researcher adds.
VIDEO. Taiwan presidential election: Lai Ching-te, the poll favorite, who worries China
Beijing therefore warned before the election of the “serious danger” it believes Lai Ching-te poses. Chinese authorities had already described him as a “real troublemaker” in August after a visit to the USA.
His election as president increases fears of conflict, even though the situation is already tense. Around a hundred Chinese aircraft and nine ships were spotted by Taiwanese authorities around the island in mid-September. The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense affirmed that the maneuver was “a recent record,” denouncing “continuous military harassment” by China.
Caution
China also reiterated on Saturday that it “will resolutely oppose (…) foreign interference.” A threat aimed at the United States, allies of Taiwan, and which promised to support it in the event of an invasion.
Washington, in turn, congratulated Lai Ching-te on his victory and “the people of Taiwan, who have once again demonstrated the strength of their solid democratic system and electoral process.” An American delegation is now expected on the island in the coming days.
Announcing the “informal” trip on Thursday, a senior American official (who was not named) warned: “It would be provocative if Beijing responded (to the election results) with more military pressure or coercive measures.”