The following week, mainland Chinese coastguard troops boarded and searched a Taiwanese cruise ship near Quemoy. Two Taiwanese fishermen were also detained on March 18, one of whom was handed back. The other remains in mainland custody after being found to be a Taiwanese soldier. Given Quemoy’s proximity to the mainland, Taiwan would probably struggle … Read more
“I was very, very disappointed. Because the DPP will be in charge, there is a greater chance that Taiwan will go to war,” Weng, 26, said, referring to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party. Despite the loss, he said he remained optimistic about the TPP’s future and Ko’s chances for another presidential run in 2028. After … Read more
Lai took an early lead when counting began at 4pm, eventually finishing with 40 per cent of the total votes cast, or just under 5.6 million. The election had a turnout of 71.9 per cent – about 14 million people – slightly lower than the 74.9 per cent recorded four years ago. The result means … Read more
But even an hour into the count, some of their supporters had already accepted that it was not going to be their day. “I’m not disappointed, I knew he was unlikely to win,” one of Ko’s supporters, a 45-year-old named Huang, said. The Taipei resident who works in the logistics industry had brought his daughter … Read more
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing in our New Year Flash Sale. Counting has begun in Taiwan in one of the most closely watched elections this year. The island’s 19 million-plus voters have cast their ballots to decide who will … Read more
William Lai Ching-te, the candidate for the independence-leaning DPP, is seeking to rewrite the island’s presidential election history by winning an unprecedented third consecutive term for his party. Throughout the race, Lai, the deputy of incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen, has faced stiff challenges from his major opponent, New Taipei mayor Hou Yu-ih of the main … Read more
“Full combat readiness, vigorous training, [Taiwan’s armed forces] are the guardians of national security and the defenders of freedom and democracy!” the post said. Who is running in Taiwan’s presidential race and what does it mean for Beijing? Taiwan will hold its presidential and legislative elections on Saturday. William Lai Ching-te, vice-president and candidate of … Read more
When public polling stopped in early January, multiple pools reported Hou and his running mate Jaw Shaw-kong trailing Vice-President William Lai Ching-te of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) by one to five points, while Ko Wen-je, who heads the smaller Taiwan People’s Party was lagging behind both. The middle way Hou’s “middle way” vision … Read more
“Ah Bei, get elected,” his supporters shouted as Ko boarded the truck to lead a campaign parade of vehicles through his hometown in Hsinchu, south of Taipei on Thursday. “Why do I support Ah Bei? Because he truly understands the difficulties young people have encountered and has promised to improve our plight,” said supermarket cashier … Read more
It sees both the DPP’s candidate, Vice-President William Lai Ching-te, the front runner in the presidential race, and his running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim, as dangerous “separatists” and “troublemakers”. Taiwan is also the “most dangerous” issue in China’s relationship with the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping told his US counterpart Joe Biden in November. Who … Read more
