cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/11011730
[Submitted link is an NYT gifted link,](In a Setback for Beijing, Taiwan Elects Lai Ching-te as President) so should be a free to all to read.
Taiwan’s vice president, Lai Ching-te, who has faced sustained hostility from China, won the island democracy’s presidential election on Saturday, a result that could prompt Beijing to step up pressure on Taiwan, deepening tensions with Washington.
For many of the millions of Taiwanese citizens who lined up at ballot booths on Saturday, the vote centered on the question of who should lead Taiwan in an increasingly tense standoff with its much larger, autocratic and heavily armed neighbor, China.
Safe for another four years. But given CCP’s continue and relentless efforts, this election was still a close call. Apparently 362 out of the 378 political parties have known financial connections with China. Can’t even talk call it “dark money” at this point…
PRC is Taiwan’s largest trading partner (2022 data). And According to this Reuter’s article from a few days ago, China is also Taiwan’s number one destination for investment. So I suppose it’s not surprising that the ruling class has connections to Chinese money and industry.
I guess in some ways, this is similar to the US and China as trading partners, even though they’re geopolitical rivals. Obviously Taiwan has a lot more to fear than the US does if things go south, but I wonder how much Taiwan-PRC economic ties play a role in preventing an outbreak of hostilities.
Though people said the same thing of Russia, especially after 2014 and look how that turned out. Of course, China isn’t Russia. So maybe it does help.
378 political parties? That seems 368 too many parties
Good thing China spent all that energy flooding Taiwan with false information and propaganda… I’m sure they’re happy with their investment.
The trouble is that they only have to succeed once.
Good for them
Beijing could have invested all this money for the Chinese people and its economy rather than for a disinformation campaign. It would be better for Taiwan, China, and the rest of the world.
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For many of the millions of Taiwanese citizens who lined up at ballot booths on Saturday, the vote centered on the question of who should lead Taiwan in an increasingly tense standoff with its much larger, autocratic and heavily armed neighbor, China.
At the D.P.P.’s gathering outside its headquarters in Taipei, thousands of supporters, many of whom waved pink and green flags, cheered as Mr. Lai’s lead grew during the counting of the votes, which was displayed on a large screen on an outdoor stage.
In Chiayi, candidates from the three parties drove campaign vans around a large fountain at a circle in the city’s downtown, yelling slogans and urging people to vote.
The parade was festive, with candidate vans playing thumping club music, and several supporters dressed in inflatable dinosaur costumes for no apparent political reason.
Before Mr. Lai assumes the presidency in May, Taiwanese people — along with officials in Beijing and Washington — will be watching for any early signs of his approach to China, Taiwan’s biggest trading partner as well as a growing threat to its autonomy.
He has promised to stick with the approach of the current leader, President Tsai Ing-wen: keeping Beijing at arm’s length while seeking to avoid conflict, and strengthening ties with the United States and other democracies.
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