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Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen won a second term in the island’s presidential election by a margin of around 20 percent against her main opponent, after roughly 12.45 million locals cast their vote on Jan. 11.
Tsai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led with nearly 8.1 million votes, while Han Kuo-yu, the Nationalist Party (KMT) candidate, trailed behind with about 5.45 million votes.
The election is widely viewed as a referendum on whether it should pursue closer ties with the Chinese regime, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, despite it being a self-ruled island with its own democratically-elected government, military, and currency. The DPP traditionally advocates for formal independence from mainland China, though Tsai has said she wishes to maintain the status quo.
Meanwhile, the KMT favors friendlier ties with the mainland.
At a press conference in Taipei, Han expressed “best wishes” for Tsai and said he “hoped to see a cooperative Taiwan” in the future.
Voters also chose their representatives in parliament. The DPP is dominating with 46 out of 109 legislative seats, while the KMT has secured 22 seats. Results for 40 seats are yet to be announced.
Loud cheers filled the rally site for Tsai as her supporters waved flags in celebration.
Speaking to press, Tsai expressed appreciation to voters.
“Regardless of how you voted, by taking part in this election, you have put democratic values into practice…With each presidential election, Taiwan is showing the world how much we cherish our free democratic values, and how much we cherish our nation, the Republic of China, Taiwan.”
Tsai also said she wanted to remind Beijing that “peace, parity, democracy and dialogue” are “the only path to bring together … two peoples.”
“China must abandon threats of force against Taiwan,” she said, adding that “neither side of the Taiwan strait should deny the fact of the other’s existence.” In the leadup to the election, the Chinese regime has sent warships to the strait.
“Democratic Taiwan and our democratically elected government will not concede to threats of intimidation,” she said. “The results of this election has made this answer crystal clear.”
This article is from the Internet:Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen Re-elected in Landslide Victory
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