Tsai won about 56 percent of the votes in Saturday’s election, far more than the 31 percent gained by Eric Chu, the KMT candidate.
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“On major matters of principle including safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is rock-firm and our attitude is consistent”, said the statement from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. It will be interesting to see how she addresses such matters and delegates her wishes for her people.
Taiwanese support for Ms Tsai and the DPP surged after voters became increasingly uneasy about a rapprochement with China under outgoing president Ma Ying-jeou of the Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT).
The DPP are known for their pro-independence stance towards China, although Ms Tsai said in her victory speech that the relationship with the mainland would be based on “dignity and reciprocity”, according to the BBC.
Tsai mentioned Chou in her victory address to media, saying the case highlighted the importance of “strength and unity to those outside our borders”. After all, it’s 2016.
Anita Lin, 37, said she was “thrilled” at the result.
However, Tsai had other plans and earned a law degree from Taipei’s National Taiwan University and then enrolled at Cornell University in NY for a masters.
Tsai Ing-wen rode a tide of discontent over everything from China ties to economic growth to secure a historic legislative majority for her Democratic Progressive Party.
Mainland Chinese authorities have brought their concerns to the United States regarding Burns’ visit while reiterating their claim over Taiwan. She said both sides have a responsibility to find a mutually acceptable means of interacting, while adding that Taiwan’s worldwide space must be respected.
During his visit with President Ma early Monday morning, Burns acknowledged Ma’s efforts in maintaining cross-strait and U.S-Taiwan relations during his term.
The Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, signed in June 2013 between Taiwan and mainland China, triggered strong opposition from Taiwanese students against the government.
Her nickname, “A daughter of Taiwan”, reflects her pride as a woman and manages to underscore her identity as a fighter for independence for the Republic of China.
Ni Yongjie, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute of Taiwan Studies, said, “Tsai and the DPP had total success but will also face many challenges”, including reviving the economy.
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It is not clear whether Tsai is convinced of these arguments, but she too is very positive about the future of cross-strait relations. The mainland is Taiwan’s largest trading partner, buying 40 per cent of its exports, even as the two remain military rivals. The DPP, which had never won more than 40 percent of the parliament seats in the past, captured 68 of the 113 seats at stake, while the KMT took only 35 seats.
