That’s partly because many had grown uncomfortable with Taiwan’s growing dependence on China under Ma, partly because they trust Tsai to handle cross-strait relations sensibly, but also because her likely victory would reflect a fundamental shift in the way Taiwanese people think of themselves, experts say.
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According to final results from Taiwan’s Central Election Commission, Tsai received 56.12% of the votes cast and Chu 31.04%.
In particular, a younger generation fears a future under the influence of Beijing and doesn’t want Taiwan to become another Chinese territory.
“We look forward to working with Dr. Tsai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our many common interests and further strengthen the unofficial relationship between the United States and the people on Taiwan”, State Department spokesman John Kirby said.
Disenchantment with the Nationalists has been blamed on President Ma Ying-jeou whose two terms in office have generated 23 bilateral agreements with China.
Hot topics in the election included relations between Taiwan and China as well as a slowdown in Taiwan’s once-mighty economy.
Tsai said one of her top priorities would be to unite Taiwan in order to gain strength and respect from worldwide society.
Taiwan appears to have its first female President, in a landmark election that could unsettle relations with Beijing.
Over the years the pair have sunk into an uneasy truce, with China maintaining Taiwan is a part of China but giving the island some autonomy as long as it doesn’t declare formal independence.
Tsai has the tide of history against her. Ma and his predecessors all failed to bring about a lasting reconciliation with China, which considers Taiwan a rogue province to be taken by force if necessary.
The KMT candidate Eric Chu resigned as chairman of the party following his party’s crushing defeat.
Tsai wasted no time in warning China that “suppression” would harm cross-strait ties in her first comments to global media following her win, adding that “our democratic system, national identity and worldwide space must be respected”.
“My position will move past partisan politics”, she said. This anti-China sentiment gives energy to the New Power Party (whose major leaders are mostly the same as those of the Sunflower Movement that took place in 2014), which has miraculously become established as the third biggest political party in Taiwan.
“Ma’s problems are not so much about cross-strait relations but rather about domestic issues”, said Shelley Rigger, a political scientist at Davidson College in the US, who described the defeated ruling party as “out of touch and hopeless”. She has promised to maintain the status quo toward China, yet has never expressed acceptance of the “1992 Consensus”, a document that views Taiwan and China as one country.
Her victory came on the same day that outrage erupted over the treatment of 16-year-old Taiwanese K-pop star Chou Tzu-yu, who was forced to record a video apology after angering Chinese netizens by flying a Taiwanese flag in a recent online broadcast.
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Before polls closed, China reiterated it would not interfere with Taiwan’s elections. “The change of president would mean still letting Taiwanese make the decision”.
