Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te (L) and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim attend a press conference outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on Jan. 13, 2024. (Alastair Pike / AFP via Getty Images)
Published January 13, 2024
TAIPEI, Taiwan—The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has secured the presidency for another four years, a result that means Taiwan and the United States will likely continue to work closely as partners to deter China.
The DPP presidential candidate, current Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, secured over 5.5 million votes, or about 40 percent of the ballot, defeating two other candidates. His victory means that his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, who stepped down as Taiwan’s de facto ambassador to the United States in November, will be the new vice president.
Hou Yu-ih, the current New Taipei City mayor and the presidential candidate of the main opposition Kuomintang Party (KMT), finished second with about 4.6 million votes. In third place with about 3.6 million votes is Ko Wen-je, former Taipei mayor and the presidential candidate of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), a relatively new party founded in 2019.
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SOURCE: www.theepochtimes.com
RELATED: Taiwan voters dismiss China warnings and hand ruling party a historic third consecutive presidential win
Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te, of Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim arrive for a press conference following their victory in the presidential elections on January 13, 2024.
Published January 13, 2024
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party pulled off a historic third consecutive presidential victory on Saturday as voters shrugged off warnings by China that their re-election would increase the risk of conflict.
Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s current vice president, declared victory on Saturday evening while his two opposition rivals both conceded defeat.
“This is a night that belongs to Taiwan. We managed to keep Taiwan on the map of the world,” Lai told thousands of jubilant supporters at a rally after his win.
“The election has shown the world the commitment of the Taiwanese people to democracy, which I hope China can understand,” he added.
Lai’s running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States, was elected Vice President.
Results from Taiwan’s Central Election Committee, which were still being finalized when the victory and concession speeches were being made, showed Lai with around 40 percent of the popular vote while his two main rivals trailed with 33 percent and 26 percent respectively.
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SOURCE: www.amp.cnn.com
RELATED: Taiwan election: China warns voters then condemns US ‘brazen chattering’
William Lai of the DPP says he’s defending democracy but has angered China in the past with comments about independence
Published January 11, 2024
China has warned voters in Taiwan to make the “right choice”, two days before presidential elections on the self-ruled island which Beijing claims.
A win for the ruling party candidate William Lai would pose a danger to relations, China said.
It also criticised “brazen chattering” by the US after Washington warned Beijing not to stoke tensions ahead of Saturday’s vote.
Who wins the poll could push the island further towards, or away from, Beijing.
Taiwan is a key flashpoint in the tussle between China and the US for supremacy in Asia.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Mr Lai would further promote separatist activities if he were elected.
“[He] would continue to follow the evil path of provoking ‘independence’ and… take Taiwan ever further away from peace and prosperity, and ever closer to war and decline,” it said in a statement.
Mr Lai, of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has called for voters to “choose the right path” to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. His main opponent, Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT), has called Mr Lai a danger to relations with China.
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SOURCE: www.bbc.com
