Taiwan president wins landslide victory in stark rebuke to China

[rooster59]

Taiwan president wins landslide victory in stark rebuke to China

By Yimou Lee and Meg Shen

 

Incumbent Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and Vice President-elect William Lai wave to their supporters after their election victory at a rally, outside the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan January 11, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

 

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide on Saturday in a stern rebuke that could fuel further tension with China, which has tried military threats and economic inducements to get the island to accept its rule.

 

Anti-government unrest in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong took centre stage during a campaign in which Tsai held up Taiwan as a beacon of hope for protesters in the former British colony and rejected Beijing's offer of a "one country, two systems" model.

 

China claims Taiwan as its sacred territory, to be taken by force if needed, a threat President Xi Jinping reiterated a year ago while saying he preferred a peaceful solution.

 

"One country, two systems," which gives a high degree of autonomy, much as Beijing uses in Hong Kong, has never been popular in Taiwan and is even less so after months of protests in Hong Kong.

 

China made itself even more unpopular in Taiwan in the run-up to the election by twice sailing its newest aircraft carrier through the sensitive Taiwan Strait, denounced by Taipei as an effort at military intimidation.

 

"We hope that the Beijing authorities can understand that a democratic Taiwan with a government chosen by the people will not give in to threats and intimidation," Tsai told reporters.

 

Beijing needs to understand the will of Taiwan's people, and that only Taiwan's people can decide its future, she added, repeating her firm opposition to "one country, two systems".

 

China's Taiwan Affairs Office, in a statement carried by state media, reaffirmed its commitment to this approach and its opposition to any form of independence.

 

Tsai beat her main opponent Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang party, which favours close ties with China, by more than 2.6 million votes. Underscoring the scale of her victory, Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party also won a majority in parliament.

 

The United States, Taiwan's strongest international backer and main arms supplier, congratulated Tsai. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Taiwan a "force for good in the world".

 

"The United States thanks President Tsai for her leadership in developing a strong partnership with the United States and applauds her commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure," Pompeo said in a statement.

 

LANDSLIDE WIN

 

Tsai won almost 8.2 million votes in total, more than any Taiwan president since the island held its first direct presidential election in 1996.

 

Speaking in the southern city of Kaoshiung where he is mayor, Han, who had to fend off allegations from Tsai on the campaign trail that he and his party were puppets of Beijing, said he had called to congratulate Tsai.

 

"I still hope to see a united Taiwan after we wake up," Han said, accompanied by a swell of mournful music on stage. "I urge President Tsai Ing-wen to focus on giving people a life where they can live safely and happily."

 

Han said Taiwan could only be safe and prosperous if it had good relations with Beijing.

 

"People have been stirred up by the Hong Kong situation and that deceived many people into voting for Tsai," said Huang Lu-lu, 38, at what was supposed to be a victory rally for Han.

 

After his brief speech, the glum crowds dispersed, some crying.

 

NOT GOOD FOR CHINA

 

China cut off a dialogue mechanism when Tsai took office in 2016 and has regularly flown bombers near the island since.

 

China believes Tsai wants to push for a Republic of Taiwan, a red line for Beijing. Tsai says Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China.

 

Tsai's win is all the more embarrassing for China because it follows another landslide victory, in November, for pro-democracy candidates in Hong Kong in district council elections after residents turned out in record numbers.

 

"I believe friends in Hong Kong will be happy about our collective decision tonight," Tsai said.

 

Prominent pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong tweeted that Tsai's victory was a "precious moment" for the people of Hong Kong.

 

"Today is the day for the majority of Taiwanese to choose their fate, to safeguard their democracy and freedoms, and most importantly, to say no to CCP's authoritarian invasion," he wrote in English, referring to China's Communist Party.

 

Taiwanese are broadly sympathetic to the protesters in Hong Kong, an Asian financial hub.

 

"I saw what's happening in Hong Kong and it's horrible," said first-time voter Stacey Lin, 20, in the capital Taipei. "I just want to make sure I have the freedom to vote in the future."

 

(Reporting by Yimou Lee and Meg Shen; Additional reporting by Felice Wu, and by James Pomfret in Kaohsiung; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Shri Navaratnam, Frances Kerry and Alexander Smith)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-01-12

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[Samui Bodoh]

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide on Saturday in a stern rebuke that could fuel further tension with China, which has tried military threats and economic inducements to get the island to accept its rule.

It is really nice to see a people choose, with a loud united voice through a peaceful and fair election, that they want to be Democratic and free. And kudos for her opponent in immediately accepting the result with grace.

 

I look around the world and see some pretty ugly regimes that came to power through dubious means (yes, you Prayut) and others who were elected and then morphed into unpleasant governments (Philippines, Turkey, etc).

 

Taiwan/Taiwanese people are a symbol of what is possible, good and right. And, a clear contrast to all others who cheat what should be a relatively easy and wide-spread process; asking citizens to weigh in on how they want to be governed and by who is truly a civilized thing.

 

Congratulations to Ms. Tsai and the Taiwanese people.

 

Well done.

 

 

 

Edited January 12, 2020 by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, car720 said:

A great day but don't forget that she had the CIA behind her the whole way and in every way.

Grow up!

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"One country, two systems," which gives a high degree of autonomy, much as Beijing uses in Hong Kong

Which China has proven to be a false security for Hong Kong citizens and no doubt boosted Tsai Ing-wen's re-election.

Taiwanese were not swayed by China's reward/bribe to Macau as "a reward for signaling devotion to the 'one country, two systems' framework of governance" by being protest-free. https://chinadigitaltimes.net/2019/12/china-rewards-protest-free-macau-with-financial-policy/

[rabas]

1 hour ago, car720 said:

A great day but don't forget that she had the CIA behind her the whole way and in every way.

That's probably why Taiwan still has freedom. 

 

[tomauasia]

War must be declared on China

[Magenta408]

Who once said, "I don't care how people vote but who counts the votes". CIA?

[TKDfella]

What with Hong and now this, I bet There are ministers in China calling for the 'strong arm lest China look weak in the eyes of Chinese and the world'. Also, of course, there are the 'disputed islands' also in the news this week. Last year Nepal, friendly with China, refused border extraditions as it feared for its sovereignty. China has made secret that it wants Nepal fully under its umbrella and thought it would happen by negotiation. That isn't going to happen either, it seems.

So China, your move. 

[Thingamabob]

Good result. Taiwan is a great place with great people. They deserve best wishes from all of us.

[Tug]

9 hours ago, rabas said:

That's probably why Taiwan still has freedom. 

 

Sigh

[Katipo]

For all the threats, inducements, and manipulation, this election shows that the people of Taiwan do not want to be a part of China. No one wants to be part of an oppressive regime run by bullies.

[GinBoy2]

I've lived both in mainland China (Shanghai) & Taiwan (Taipei).

The countries and more importantly the people have diverged significantly over the past decades.

 

They may well be ethnically Han Chinese for the most part, but thats almost as crude as saying since I'm Hispanic American, I must be Mexican!

 

Taiwan has developed it's own identity separate from the mainland, and one which I preferred I must say when I lived there.

 

The Taiwanese have seen how the 'One Country Two Systems' thing is working out in HK, and it's fulfilling their worst fears.

 

There was a time back in the early to mid 2000's, when the KMT was actively promoting this, saying they could keep their democracy, the NT$ and all would be good.

Well that fantasy has pretty much exploded, hence the huge win for Tsai.

 

This is going to be a tough one.

 

But Taiwan IS a nation in it's own right, but how to navigate the road to that without the specter of Beijing intervening militarily to stop it, I have no idea!

Edited January 13, 2020 by GinBoy2

[TKDfella]

19 hours ago, TKDfella said:

What with Hong and now this, I bet There are ministers in China calling for the 'strong arm lest China look weak in the eyes of Chinese and the world'. Also, of course, there are the 'disputed islands' also in the news this week. Last year Nepal, friendly with China, refused border extraditions as it feared for its sovereignty. China has made secret that it wants Nepal fully under its umbrella and thought it would happen by negotiation. That isn't going to happen either, it seems.

So China, your move. 

Sorry, should read 'Hong Kong' and '...made no secret'....

[GinBoy2]

1 hour ago, car720 said:

"Taiwan's people once again use the vote in their hands to show the world the value of democracy," Ms Tsai said when meeting William Brent Christensen, a US diplomat who is director of the American Institute in Taiwan.

"Democracy and freedom are indeed Taiwan's most valuable assets and the foundation of the long-term Taiwan-US partnership," Ms Tsai said, vowing to deepen cooperation with the United States on issues from defence to economy.

 

And these people are who exactly???

If you are going to make a glib remark then back it up with facts.

I'm not exactly sure what point you are trying to make, but I suspect that given your earlier comment that you are trying to imply that Christensen is some shadowy spook.

 

Ever since Nixon implemented the One China policy, the US ceased to have an Embassy in Taipei, since that in itself implies recognition of a sovereign entity.

 

So the AIT was set up as a non profit organization, to get around that small detail.

 

In reality it is staffed primarily by State Dept. employees and provides all the usual consular services you would expect from an embassy or consulate of any nation.

 

Christensen as head of AIT, I think as I recall they have the title of Director, but is in reality the de facto Ambassador  

Edited January 13, 2020 by GinBoy2

[mfd101]

A useful way forward would be for the cowardly 'Western' and allied countries to, once again, recognize the reality that Taiwan is an independent country, NOT part of mainland China (PRC). To achieve that, Taiwan would need to stop calling itself the 'Republic of China' and give itself a new, even revolutionary, name like, say, 'Republic of Taiwan'.

 

Death might us part before then however ...

 

 

[GinBoy2]

9 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

A useful way forward would be for the cowardly 'Western' and allied countries to, once again, recognize the reality that Taiwan is an independent country, NOT part of mainland China (PRC). To achieve that, Taiwan would need to stop calling itself the 'Republic of China' and give itself a new, even revolutionary, name like, say, 'Republic of Taiwan'.

 

Death might us part before then however ...

 

 

While I agree with you on a fundamental level, there is the thorny issue of the PLA.

 

At the end of the day if Beijing's tail was pulled too much, and I fear a recognition of Taiwan's independence might well be that, the PLA could storm across the Taiwan Straits.

 

I'm pretty sure similar discussions happened in London prior to the handover agreement for HKG. Could a few Gurkha Regiments really repel a full scale attack into the New Territories?

 

Now obviously Taiwan is a different case. It has a pretty formidable military capability, but it's designed to hold the PLA at bay long enough for the USN to come to its rescue.

 

In that scenario you move into full blown international crisis.

 

Xi is perusing a much more muscular foreign policy, and indeed internal policy.

 

So I'm not sure how much you want to force the issue, or wait it out until some of the internal China tensions snap

[mfd101]

Yes, waiting and doing little or nothing is what international relations are mostly about.

 

But there is also what may be (if he could think clearly enough) Trump's motto: Disorder = Risk + Opportunity.

[TKDfella]

4 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

While I agree with you on a fundamental level, there is the thorny issue of the PLA.

 

At the end of the day if Beijing's tail was pulled too much, and I fear a recognition of Taiwan's independence might well be that, the PLA could storm across the Taiwan Straits.

 

I'm pretty sure similar discussions happened in London prior to the handover agreement for HKG. Could a few Gurkha Regiments really repel a full scale attack into the New Territories?

 

Now obviously Taiwan is a different case. It has a pretty formidable military capability, but it's designed to hold the PLA at bay long enough for the USN to come to its rescue.

 

In that scenario you move into full blown international crisis.

 

Xi is perusing a much more muscular foreign policy, and indeed internal policy.

 

So I'm not sure how much you want to force the issue, or wait it out until some of the internal China tensions snap

I would have said the same only more briefly. While it might be useful for other nations to recognise Taiwan as an independent state, it won't be those other nations who would suffer the PLA's wrath. My guess is that the 'other nations' and Taiwan know this.

[VocalNeal]

On 1/13/2020 at 9:11 AM, GinBoy2 said:

But Taiwan IS a nation in it's own right, but how to navigate the road to that without the specter of Beijing intervening militarily to stop it, I have no idea!

So in 1949 why didn't "China" pop across to Taiwan and wipe out the ROC forces then and there? 

There must be a reason they left them dangling out there?

[GinBoy2]

4 hours ago, car720 said:

Please.  The next thing you will be saying is that the yanks never had a hand in it.

As you said in a reply to @mfd101

 

And these people are who exactly???

If you are going to make a glib remark then back it up with facts.

 

I gave you the 'facts' on who Christensen is with regard to the US Diplomatic presence in Taipei. 

 

So, as you rightly told @mfd101, please enlighten me with 'facts' not glib remarks, on how you draw the conclusion that somehow the CIA, or whatever other shadowy US arm of government affected the results of a Taiwanese election?

[bristolboy]

9 hours ago, car720 said:

Please.  The next thing you will be saying is that the yanks never had a hand in it.

So now you're inventing things that Ginboy2 is going to say? Or are you visiting us from the future and have already read a comment of his to that effect?

Edited January 15, 2020 by bristolboy

[GinBoy2]

On 1/15/2020 at 2:03 AM, car720 said:

I would say in the same way that the Russians put Trump in power.  It states clearly that Christensen is the defacto Ambassador there.  Do you think that Ambassadors only deal in trade?

Christensen, since 2010, was Director of the State Department’s Office of Taiwan coordination, where he had a primary role in formulating U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

This sounds like a reasonable CV for political influence, don't you think?

 

I think you are somehow confusing normal diplomatic influence with the Russians interfering through malicious means with US & European elections.

 

Of course all Ambassadors promote their own countries interests, be it trade, or cultural issues, and if thats what you are accusing Christensen of doing, pretty sure he's guilt as charged 

 

That is a far cry from State sponsored hacking of political party emails, creating hundreds of robobots spreading fake news through social media. Those have been well documented and proven tactics of the Russian Government.

I'm yet to see your evidence that the US government somehow influenced the Taiwan election, and I mean electorate, through covert means.

 

I fear you are just lashing out trying to justify your own anti US bias without any knowledge of Taiwan it's people or any of the history of the island.

 

Try living there for a few years as I have, and maybe you might start to accept reality.

Taiwan is not some puppet State of the US, but a well educated, free thinking functioning democracy.

They rejected the KMT's drift towards the One China Two Systems policy for good reasons, they see the results with their own eyes in HKG. 

The US doesn't need to do anything to stop that reality show!

[GinBoy2]

8 hours ago, car720 said:

Normal diplomatic influence?  The yanks?  Those guys with the biggest stick?  Really?

So you have any quotes from Christensen to the Taiwan media advocating either way?

 

Evidence of electoral interference through fake media posts?

 

Hacking of KMT emails to expose damaging information to their campaign?

 

Your 'arguments' and I use that word lightly, are full of hot air with no substance.

 

I'm not quite sure if you are arguing the case for Beijing's desire to take Taiwan, or just your apparent dislike of the United States