Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate, says, ‘Taiwan must win this battle’ [Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters]
Published January 12, 2024
The governing DPP, which champions Taiwan’s separate identity, will be seeking a third term in elections on Saturday.
China’s military has promised to “crush” any efforts to promote Taiwan’s independence, a day before a crucial election on the self-ruled island which Beijing claims is part of its territory.
Hundreds of thousands of people attended final pre-election rallies in Taiwan on Friday in advance of critical presidential and parliamentary polls on Saturday.
“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army maintains high vigilance at all times and will take all necessary measures to firmly crush ‘Taiwan independence’ attempts of all forms,” China’s defence ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said in a statement.
Responding to a question on Taiwan’s air force upgrading F-16 fighter jets and buying more from the United States, Xiaogang said even with purchases of US weapons the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) “cannot stop the trend of complete reunification of the motherland”.
Taiwan has been a democratic success story since holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, the culmination of decades of struggle against authoritarian rule and martial law.
The DPP, which champions Taiwan’s separate identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, will be seeking a third term in office with its candidate, current Vice President Lai Ching-te.
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SOURCE: www.aljazeera.com
RELATED: China’s military warns against Taiwan independence ‘plots’ ahead of election
China has previously warned voters against backing Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s vice-president and candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive party © Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters
Published January 12, 2024
Beijing underlines threat of force hours before Taiwanese voters go to polls to elect new president
China’s military has vowed to “smash” any Taiwan independence “plots”, sending a stark reminder of its threat to use force against the island just hours before Taiwanese voters head to the polls to elect a new president and parliament. The People’s Liberation Army “remains on high alert at all times”, a Chinese defence ministry spokesman said at a regular press conference on Friday afternoon.
The military would “take all necessary measures to resolutely smash ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist plots in any form and resolutely safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, he added.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and threatens to attack it if Taipei rejects unification indefinitely. Beijing has denounced the ruling Democratic Progressive party — which refuses to describe the country as a part of China — as dangerous separatists and warned voters against electing its candidate, current vice-president Lai Ching-te, on Saturday.
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SOURCE: www.ft.com
RELATED: As election nears in Taiwan, many young voters say China isn’t their biggest concern
A campaign poster for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei, Taiwan, on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
Published January 10, 2024
He once led hundreds of Taiwanese naval officers on missions thousands of miles away from home and felt a sense of honor to be representing his home nation – the Republic of China, the official name of Taiwan’s government.
“I believe I am a member of the Chinese civilization,” the navy veteran said, asking CNN not to use his full name for fears of being targeted for his views.
The issue of identity – and Taiwan’s relationship with China – has been one of the most significant political divisions on the island, and surveys show it was closely linked to voting patterns in previous elections.
But as the island democracy of 23.5 million people prepares to elect a new leader this Saturday, experts say identity could be playing less of a role in the outcome.
Wu’s loyalty to his Chinese heritage is typical of older veterans, who grew up under Taiwan’s authoritarian era, and many older generations whose families fled to Taiwan at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. But studies show younger generations now overwhelmingly identify as only Taiwanese.
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SOURCE: www.amp.cnn.com
