Pro-China party likely to lose power in Taiwan's election

[rooster59]

Pro-China party likely to lose power in Taiwan's election

CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press


TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Voting was underway Saturday in Taiwan's presidential election in which the island's China-friendly Nationalist Party appears likely to lose power to the pro-independence opposition, amid concerns that the island's economy is under threat from China and broad opposition among voters to Beijing's demands for political unification.

The Democratic Progressive Party's Tsai Ing-wen is poised to become the self-governing island's first female president, returning the main opposition party to power after eight years under Nationalist President Ma Ying-jeou, who is constitutionally barred from another term.

The outcome of the contest for a majority in the 133-seat legislature remains uncertain, with independents and smaller parties posing a threat to both the Nationalists and the DPP.

A win for Tsai would introduce new uncertainty in the complicated relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, which claims the island as its own territory and threatens to use force if it declares formal independence.

"This is not about defeating the other party. This is about working to overcome the obstacles in Taiwan's path," Tsai told supporters gathered in the rain at a final rally Friday night in front of the presidential office building in the center of the capital, Taipei.

Tsai has pledged to maintain the status quo of de-facto independence for the island of 23 million, although she has refused to endorse the principle that Taiwan and China are parts of a single nation to be unified eventually.

Beijing has made that its baseline for continuing negotiations that have produced a series of pacts on trade, transport and exchanges. Observers say China is likely to adopt a wait-and-see approach to Tsai's presidency, but might use diplomatic and economy pressure if she is seen as straying too far from its unification agenda.

Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1885 to 1945 and split again from China amid civil war in 1949.

Tsai's Nationalist opponent, Eric Chu, was a late entry in the race after the party ditched its original candidate, Hung Hsiu-chu, whose abrasive style was seen as alienating voters. He has trailed Tsai by double digits in the latest polls.

China has largely declined to comment on the polls, although its chief official for Taiwan affairs this month warned of potential major challenges in the relationship in the year ahead.

Tsai supporters appeared confident that ties with China would weather a change in government.

"As long as Tsai doesn't provoke the other side, it's OK," said former newspaper distribution agent Lenex Chang, 66, who attended Tsai's rally. "If mainland China democratizes someday, we could consider a tie-up," he added.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-16

[Usernames]

Why would First World Taiwan (per capita GDP 19th in the world above Canada) want to be absorbed by China (per capita GDP 88th in the world just above South Africa)? Do they want more pollution? More corruption (not that they don't have enough already)? Shoddy production standards? Need a Communist dictator?

[elgordo38]

If Taiwan does not toe the Communist party line the Chinese could tell the big money boys in Taiwan to close all their factories in the mainland. Thats the price for falling into the cheap labor trap. Would look good on them.

[GinBoy2]

The KMT have been dancing with the devil in their rapprochement with Beijing. Finally the chickens have come home to roost and the populous see the results; industry migrating to the low labor cost of the mainland, and a Government increasing wary of any utterance considered 'difficult' for Beijing

Beijing always held up the example of Hong Kong as the model of what a unified Taiwan would look like. Unfortunately that model is looking increasingly tarnished as oppression, media censorship and the authority of Beijing becomes increasingly visible.

The PLA could have walked over the border into both HK & Macao after they were handed back, but their ultimate goal was always Taiwan, hence the reticence. Maybe patience has run out in the echelons of power in Beijing and the new 'in your face' policy is taking hold.

I would suggest that those who decry the US influence in SEA might ponder the results without the USN in the South China Sea, what would be the fate of Taiwan?

[tonbridgebrit]

Okay people, this woman here is Tsai Ing-wen. NONE OF US know's her face.

NO, she's not the owner of your local Chinese take-away food shop. This woman will probably become the next political leader of Taiwan, Taiwan also call themselves Republic of China.

This woman is actually dangerous. This woman might actually go ahead and declare independance from Beijing. This will cause a load of Chinese to go and invade Taiwan, China will also fire one or two thousand missiles that they've already got aimed at Taiwan. This isn't actually a problem, after all, a load of Chinese killing another load of Chinese is not actually important to the rest of the world.
The important thing is this, it's AMERICA that is the problem.


See, the USA has got itself involved in this nonsense, and basically, if a load of Chinese from Beijing fight a load of Chinese from Taiwan, yes, America will get involved. Yes, because the Americans have said that they will get involved, America will end up invading China if Beijing invades Taiwan.


Get killed for cheap oil, fair enough. Kill a load of Muslims because they might invade America, well, it's a ridiculous theory, but it can be used as an excuse to kill Muslims. But start World War Three because a load of Chinese are going to invade the Republic of China ?? That's absurd and crazy.

[GinBoy2]

Okay people, this woman here is Tsai Ing-wen. NONE OF US know's her face.

NO, she's not the owner of your local Chinese take-away food shop. This woman will probably become the next political leader of Taiwan, Taiwan also call themselves Republic of China.

This woman is actually dangerous. This woman might actually go ahead and declare independance from Beijing. This will cause a load of Chinese to go and invade Taiwan, China will also fire one or two thousand missiles that they've already got aimed at Taiwan. This isn't actually a problem, after all, a load of Chinese killing another load of Chinese is not actually important to the rest of the world.

The important thing is this, it's AMERICA that is the problem.

See, the USA has got itself involved in this nonsense, and basically, if a load of Chinese from Beijing fight a load of Chinese from Taiwan, yes, America will get involved. Yes, because the Americans have said that they will get involved, America will end up invading China if Beijing invades Taiwan.

Get killed for cheap oil, fair enough. Kill a load of Muslims because they might invade America, well, it's a ridiculous theory, but it can be used as an excuse to kill Muslims. But start World War Three because a load of Chinese are going to invade the Republic of China ?? That's absurd and crazy.

97739298_640.jpg

So what are you suggesting? The US stands back and allows Taiwan, which is arguably the most democractic nation in a sea of despotism get overrun by the despot in chief of the region?

Now there's capitulation if ever I heard it!