Overview

• Taiwan is preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13, 2024, amid increasing fears of Chinese interference.
• U.S. policy towards Taiwan will remain the same regardless of the election outcome, according to Washington's top diplomat in Taipei.
• Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party's Lai Ching-te, currently vice president, is the frontrunner to become Taiwan's next leader, according to opinion polls.
• China has stepped up its military pressure against Taiwan, including staging two rounds of major war games near the island in the past year and a half.
• Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has urged voters to consider the situation in Hong Kong when casting their ballots, emphasizing the need for peace backed by a commitment to boost defenses.