"As one of the first and most anticipated elections of 2024, Taiwan has scored a victory for the community of democracies." These are the first words of William Lai, the Democratic Progressive Party's candidate in the Taipei presidential elections, to his supporters. Lai, a skeptic of China with a history of supporting independence, snatched a result that risks inflaming tensions between Beijing and Washington.
"Tonight we have shown the world how much Taiwan cares about its democracy. I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy, showing the world how much we care about our democracy. This is our unwavering commitment," Lai said.
"The Taiwanese people have successfully resisted pressure from outside forces to influence the elections. But we believe that only the people of Taiwan have the right to choose their own president," Lai added.
With the count almost completed, equal to 98% of the seats, the DPP candidate stands at 40.2%. Hou Yu-ih of the KMT, the KMT's main rival, stands at 33.4 percent.
The KMT nationalist candidate, Hou Yu-ih, has conceded defeat in the Taiwanese presidential election, acknowledging the victory of William Lai of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Hou, the candidate of the Kuomintang, a party traditionally close to Beijing's positions, congratulated Lai on his victory by speaking in the evening at the KMT's election campaign headquarters in New Taipei, Taiwan's most populous city of which he is mayor on electoral leave.
Moved, Hou "apologized for disappointing voters," promising to continue his political commitment. The KMT is China's preferred negotiating partner and Hou promised during the election campaign to restart talks with President Xi Jinping's government in the event of an election in order to ease tensions.
The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, founder and leader of the TPP, also conceded victory immediately after Hou's move and congratulated Lai in another short and emotional speech to his supporters.
Taiwan thus seems destined to elect William Lai to the island's top leadership for the next four years, fielding a man for the presidency whom Beijing has labeled a "war instigator" and a "troublemaker" for his pro-independence positions.
Baltic countries, 'Taiwan is an example of democracy'
"We congratulate Taiwan for once again demonstrating the good health and well-functioning of its democratic system which, together with a free market economy and a vibrant civil society, makes it a model for the Indo-Pacific and an asset to the world." This was stated in a joint statement, published this morning on the occasion of the presidential elections held in Taiwan, by the chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committees of Lithuania, Zygimantas Pavilionis, Latvia, Rihards Kohls, and Estonia, Marko Mihkelson.
The joint statement recalls that Taiwan and the Baltic States are united by a common belief in democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
Appreciation is also expressed for Taipei's contribution to Ukraine's security, resilience and reconstruction, and for its commitment to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait.
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