In the run-up to the presidential election, the threads are turning around political fate Taiwan They are intertwined in a troubling tangle of geopolitical tensions. After eight years of leadership under the leadership of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female Taiwanese presidentThe country is at a critical turning point. On the “rebel island” hearts beat faster as an uncertain future looms Some fear that the Dragon's Embrace may be inevitable when it comes to China. For the territory's political giants, the Jan. 13 vote means one Crossroads between autocracy and democracy, or War and Peace, where the stakes are high and fate plays a role in every election.
Taiwan watches over the flame of democracy. In a whirlwind of hopes, The autonomous island is preparing for the eighth presidential elections and to the Legislative Yuan. With each tick of the clock, more than 20 million citizens wait eagerly to exercise their right to bet on the island's fate. The cards are on the table and the three presidential candidates are proving to be central figures in this election campaign: William Lai Ching-tethe Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Hou Yu-ih, of Kuomingtang (KMT) and Ko Wen-jethe Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
As the appointed day approaches, the accusations will increase Chinese interference in the referendum have flooded the boundaries of social networks. Unsurprisingly, Beijing has strenuously denied such claims, pointing the finger at the Taiwanese government and accusing it of “engaging” and “petting” cross-strait “confrontation.”
Since the independent, pro-Taiwan party took power in 2016, His government faced strong interventions from Beijing. Economic sanctions, intimidating military exercises and diplomatic isolation were the weapons chosen to subjugate the self-governing island. All of this is due to his strong rejection of the 1992 Consensus, an agreement based on the ““One China principle” signed between the then ruler Communist Party of Taiwan (KMT) and the Chinese government. A position that has unleashed the fury of the Asian giant and raised tensions to dangerous levels.
On the dizzying geopolitical board, Taiwan turns out to be a cauldron in which international powers collide and challenge borders. Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China (PRC) firmly claims the island as an inseparable part of its sovereign territory and sees “reunification” as an inevitable necessity to achieve the new greatness of the Chinese nation. Although Xi Jinping calls for peaceful reunification with his Taiwanese “compatriots”clearly warns that any movement that crosses the “red lines” of the People's Republic of China and moves towards formal independence will trigger a forceful reaction, even leading to the use of force, as required by Chinese law.
In this volatile context Taipei is caught between aspirations for autonomy and its economic and diplomatic dependence on China. The island's future is uncertain as tensions and rivalries threaten to unleash a storm of unpredictable consequences.
Despite increasing geopolitical isolation and aggression towards its communist neighbor Tsai coolly defended her consolidated democracy. This government has become a major affront to Beijing. Consequently, the increasingly bellicose rhetoric about unification was accompanied by rapid modernization and development of its armed wing, the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This contains advanced missile systems, cyber warfare capabilities and blocking the penetration of opposing forces in a future war scenario, as well as greater expansion of what already exists the largest navy in the world.
Bitter disputes over the shape of relations with China and the imperative to avoid conflict are dominating the final stretch of the campaign, while some polls show a tight fight between the two main candidates to become the next president.
Chinese aircraft near Taiwan
In the middle of the fight, China accuses Taiwan of unfair trade practices and punitive tariffs. Meanwhile, the Chinese military has increased its air presence in the Taiwan Strait, where a growing number of suspicious balloons have been spotted recently, and with unusual frequency. In the Adiz (Air Defense Identification Zone), incursions increased, reaching a maximum of 103 aircraft on September 19 that entered the part of the airspace corresponding to the island's anti-aircraft defense, underlining the coercive nature of these practices. These maneuvers have become increasingly daring and are now combined with movements such as the transit of aircraft carriers through the strait.
The candidate currently leading in the polls is Lai Ching-te, PDP representative. He is the current vice president of Taiwan and has served as prime minister, mayor of Tainan, and congressman. On the issue of Taiwanese sovereignty, he categorically rejected any unification proposal from Beijing, which led him to formulate a draft law. For this reason, he formulated a peace strategy based on four pillars to deal with a future Chinese invasion: Deterrence, economic diversification, strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries and strong leadership in the Strait. He believes that a close relationship with the United States is essential to the success of this strategy. This was underscored by his Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who stated that “the current geostrategic challenges are formidable, which is why a solid partnership with Washington is crucial.”
Beijing is intervening – in its own way – in these elections by declaring that a This presidential candidate's trip to the US in August was 'an act of independence'and thereby seeks to promote the break with the status quo that would occur if Taipei were to do so officially.
The second applicant is Hou You-yi, Belonging to the opposition Kuomintang party. He is mayor of New Taipei, a city near the capital, and was overwhelmingly re-elected last year. The KMT has traditionally leaned toward strengthening ties with China but flatly denies being pro-Beijing. Despite it, The opposition strongly rejects the “one country, two systems” policy and says challenges to national sovereignty are unacceptable. and that Taiwan must take them seriously and ensure a high level of combat readiness. At the same time, he believes that Taiwanese independence lacks a legal basis, which is why he rejects any attempt to implement it. This candidate may attract China's attention, but it is highly unlikely that, if elected, he will take action to reduce defense spending and thereby break the U.S. military umbilical cord.
The newest presidential candidate is Ko Wen-je, former mayor of Taipei and founder of the Taiwan People's Party (PPT). His political history is controversial: initially he aligned himself with the positions of the DPP, later he was more pro-independence and finally he seems to have positioned himself on a pro-Chinese line.
