Taiwan Election: Beijing Criticizes Frontrunner Lai Ching-te as it Seeks to Intimidate Self-Ruling Island

Beijing has criticized frontrunner Lai Ching-te as a ‘separatist’ as it seeks to intimidate the self-ruling island of Taiwan. The presidential election is being closely watched by Beijing and Washington, Taiwan’s main military partner. Vote counting is currently underway, with results expected later this evening.

Beijing has been critical of Lai Ching-te, the current vice-president and frontrunner in the election, accusing him of being a dangerous ‘separatist’. The defence ministry of Communist China has even vowed to ‘crush’ any Taiwanese independence attempts. China claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out using force to bring about unification.

The main opponent of Lai Ching-te is Hou Yu-ih from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, who favours warmer ties with China and accuses the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of antagonizing Beijing. Hou has emphasized maintaining good relationships with international partners, including the US.

The election has also seen the rise of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), led by Ko Wen-je, offering an anti-establishment ‘third way’ out of the two-party deadlock.

Located in a strategically vital region, Taiwan is separated from mainland China by the Taiwan Strait and is home to a thriving semiconductor industry. China has exerted increasing pressure on Taiwan in recent years, causing concerns about a potential invasion. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that the ‘unification’ of Taiwan with China is ‘inevitable’.

As voters cast their ballots, Chinese warplanes were seen probing Taiwan’s defences. The Chinese military has warned it will take necessary measures to ‘crush’ any attempts at Taiwanese independence. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with a senior Chinese official in Washington before the election, stressing the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Tsai Ing-wen, the incumbent president, is unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Along with the president, voters are also electing lawmakers to Taiwan’s legislature.