Taiwan's Election Raises Tensions with China
Leading candidate Lai Ching-te's pro-independence stance could provoke Chinese military and economic retaliation, while upcoming U.S. elections add further uncertainty.
- Taiwan's presidential election on January 13th is expected to escalate tensions with China, as the leading candidate, Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is viewed by China as a 'destroyer of peace' due to his pro-independence stance.
- China has warned that there would be 'no wait and see' period after a potential Lai victory, with expectations of military exercises threatening Taiwan and potential economic sanctions.
- Despite the tensions, the United States, Taiwan's main protector, has stated it will not favor any candidate in the election.
- China's President Xi Jinping has called Taiwan's unification with China 'a historical inevitability', but hopes to achieve this without resorting to an all-out invasion, which would risk war with America.
- American elections later in the year could also impact the situation, with concerns that President Biden, burdened by wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and his re-election campaign, could yield to Chinese pressure on Taiwan despite his repeated vows to defend the island.
Financial Post 
South China Morning Post 
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CNA 
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Benzinga 
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