Taiwan elects leader China calls ‘troublemaker’ in blow for Xi

Taiwan will keep standing shoulder to shoulder with democracies everywhere, “Lai said”

Beijing, which has called Lai Ching-te a “instigator of war,” suffered a setback when Taiwan elected him president of the global chip hub at the focus of US-China tensions.

In the closest contest to occur on the island in decades, Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party emerged victorious with 40.1% of the total votes tallied, the lowest winning percentage since a three-way election in 2000. In its maiden presidential campaign, the Taiwan People’s Party finished last, with Hou Yu-ih, the leader of the main opposition Kuomintang, behind in second.

“Taiwan will continue to walk alongside democracies around the world,” Lai added, indicating that he will retain tight relations with Washington. In addition, he promised to maintain calm across the Taiwan Strait.

As the sole Chinese-speaking democracy in the world celebrated the end of a race that was widely followed worldwide, his statement was simultaneously televised in English. Standing at his side during his speech was Hsiao Bi-khim, the running partner of President Lai and a former Taiwanese envoy to the US.

Beijing’s administration of President Xi Jinping, who referred to him as a “troublemaker” and “separatist” in the run-up to the election, would probably be incensed by his win. China has promised to retake Taiwan eventually and views the island as a separatist province. In the event of an invasion, President Joe Biden has promised to protect Taiwan.

The recent normalization of relations between Beijing and Washington following their leaders’ discussions in California in November will be put to the test when the DPP is reelected for a record-breaking third consecutive term. Rekindling hostilities between the two superpowers increases the likelihood that an error in judgment in the Taiwan Strait will lead to war.

After the election, Biden will send a bipartisan delegation of former top officials to the island. Which cited sources with knowledge of the situation. Beijing, which opposes countries maintaining formal connections with the Taipei administration is expected to respond to that action.