Taipei/Beijing: China-sceptic Tsai Ing-wen just won the Presidential elections in Taiwan with a decisive majority. Tsai Ing-wen claimed 57% votes while her opponent Han Kuo-yu secured only 38%. While campaigning for the elections, Tsai adopted an anti-China stand and used the case of Hong Kong protests effectively.
In her address to the island-state after clinching her win, Tsai said, ‘The results have made evident that the Taiwanese population will retaliate against any attempts to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and sovereignty. I hope China stops warning of using force against Taiwan in the future. I hope the Chinese rulers have realised that Taiwan, is treading the path of democracy and its democratic government, will not succumb to China’s threats and pressures.’
President Tsai Ing-wen has also significantly contributed to her party’s victory in the parliamentary elections, by winning the Presidential elections. Her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won 61 out of the 113 seats in the parliament whereas the opposition, Kuomintang Party (KMT) won 38 seats. With a majority in the parliament, Tsai would reportedly be able to execute her policies efficiently and more aggressively.
Last year, while seeking asylum in Australia, a Chinese spy had levelled severe accusations against the ruling Chinese government. In one of his claims, he alleged the Chinese government was preparing to interfere in Taiwan’s elections to ensure Tsai Ing-wen was removed from power. Reportedly, China was funding her opponent Han Kuo-yu for the purpose. However, Han had dismissed all the allegations levelled against him.
After that, President Tsai tabled an independent bill in the parliament a few days before the elections to curtail China’s influence. The Anti-Infiltration Law provides for strict action against the interference of foreign soldiers and groups in Taiwan. The law states that influencing Taiwan’s political, military or social circles, making donations to political parties, disrupting the social systems or dissemination of fake news on elections, were criminal acts.
China had severely criticised the bill. Moreover, the Hong Kong protests and Chinese ruling regime’s stand against it became the mainstays of President Tsai’s election campaign. The elections results made evident that the Hong Kong issue became a major negative factor for the pro-Chinese groups. At the same time, the China-sceptic President’s victory would likely aggravate the tensions between Taiwan and China.
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