Tsai Ing-wen, a U.S.- and U.K.-trained scientist, and leader of the Beijing-skeptic Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), took some 56% of the vote to end eight years of Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) rule blighted by anemic growth and soaring inequality.
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They demanded more transparency in trade pacts with China in the largest display of anti-Chinese sentiment the island had seen in years. “We haven’t worked hard enough and we failed voters’ expectations”, said KMT candidate Eric Chu addressing crowds at the party’s headquarters in Taipei.
China has largely declined to comment on the polls, AP reported. She went on to highlight the support from countries such as the US, Japan and so on, hoping to maintain a healthy relationship.
China, with its 1.3 billion people, is also Taiwan’s favorite investment destination, with Taiwanese companies investing over $100 billion there, private estimates show.
Taiwan’s departing president Ma Ying-jeou, who defeated Tsai in the last presidential elections held in 2012, is not eligible for a third term.
Since 2008, when Ma came to power, Taiwan and China have signed about 23 agreements covering business and tourism, including the 2010 Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, aimed to further deepen ties between the two sides. They want peace. That’s why I chose them.
“This is about working to overcome the obstacles in Taiwan’s path”, Tsai told supporters in the rain at a final rally Friday night in front of the presidential office building in the center of the capital, Taipei. “We are only one step away from a new era”.
The White House weighed in earlier in the week as well, urging both sides to keep an even keel and for China to respect the results. “That foundation should be safeguarded and valued”, he said.
“For me this is not just about an election victory”, Tsai said in her first address after the results became clear.
Although Taiwan is self-ruling after it split with China following a civil war in 1949, it has never declared independence and Beijing still sees it as part of its territory awaiting reunification.
“I’m afraid Tsai Ing-wen is likely to get elected. My election can give everyone confidence”. Voting began Saturday in th…
The KMT has been in power for most of the past 70 years and has overseen improved relations with Beijing – Tsai’s victory means this is only the second-ever victory for the DPP.
Joseph Wong, a political scientist at the University of Toronto, believes Taiwan is entering a “new normal” in cross-strait relations.
“We want to congratulate the DPP’s victory, this is the Taiwan people’s mandate”, he said. Wages have stagnated and housing prices in major cities like Taipei have remained out of the reach of many people.
At the root of this shift lies the two nations’ very different histories in the 20th century, their different cultures and fundamentally different political systems, Batto said.
Yet others prefer the middle ground that Ms Tsai has so far chalked out. “You know her position on cross-strait ties – if she can not properly handle the issues and tensions escalate, no-one will benefit”, said shop owner Yang Chin-chun, 78.
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Tsai also touched on relations with the United States.
