Message to China: Taiwan's president won a crushing victory in the second term

Tsai Ing-won, who supports island independence, defeated his pro-Chinese rival with more than 57 percent of the vote, dedicating her victory speech to Beijing, which sees Taiwan as a rebel district. "Our democracy will never succumb to threats"

Message to China: Taiwan's president won a crushing victory in the second term

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-won won a smash victory in the election today and secured a second term. The results show that there is strong public support for Tsai's assertive stance, which supports island independence, vis-à-vis China. Counting close to 100% of the vote, she emerged defeating nationalist party candidate Han Kuyu with 57.2% of the vote, compared to just 38.6% where he won.

She wasted no time before sending a warning to Communist China, which sees Taiwan as a rebel district, for not trying to use the threat of wielding power against the island. "Today I want to remind the Beijing authorities again that peace, equality, democracy and dialogue are essential for stability," Tsai said. "I want the Beijing authorities to know that Taiwan's democracy and our democratic government will never face threats. I hope Beijing will show its good will."

Taiwan has developed its own identity since the split from mainland China at the end of the 1949 civil war, but it has never declared its official independence. Beijing still claims sovereignty on the island where 23 million people live, and it threatens to use force to restore it, if needed.

In light of China's efforts to isolate Taiwan during Tsai's first term, she acknowledged that her victory would likely bring another deadlock and pressure from Beijing. The president added that the election results have shown that Taiwanese citizens are committed to protecting democracy and their way of life.

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Sent a firm message to Beijing. President Tai Tsai, today (Photo: AP)

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-won in post-election victory speech, January 11, 2020 (Photo: AP)

At Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party headquarters in Taipei, the capital, the mood was uplifting as its supporters cheered as the results became known. Apart from China, Tsai faces other challenges, such as passing reforms in government and the economy, creating jobs and raising wages.

"We will work even harder to advance our achievements over the last four years," Tsai said today. "We will always remind ourselves that our government needs to be clean, safe and effective. Of course we will work to protect our country and our sovereignty."

On the other hand, in Kaohsiung, which Han serves as her mayor, the feelings were bleak, with some supporters of the pro-Chinese opposition candidate wiping away tears. Han, 62, told his disappointed supporters he called Tsai to congratulate her on her victory. He promised to return to office as mayor with renewed powers.

Support conversations with Beijing. Opposition leader disappointed after election (Photo: AP)

Taiwan Opposition Party Supports Tear After Results Results, January 11, 2020 (Photo: AP)

The Taiwan elections were held in the shadow of Hong Kong's anti-government protests, and these highlighted to many people in Taiwan the differences between living on an island under democratic rule and dictatorial regime in mainland China.

While Han and the Nationalist Party argue that Taiwan should be more open to negotiations with China, Tsai and her party insist that protests in Hong Kong have proven that the "one-state, two-systems" practice in Hong Kong since returning to China in 1997 has not worked.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is trying to force Tsai's government to adopt Beijing's stance that Taiwan is part of China, but its president refuses to do so, claiming China has no territorial right over Taiwan. It calls for the resumption of talks between the parties without preconditions.

Since moving to full democratic rule in the early 1980s, Taiwan has increasingly established its independent identity even though it is not recognized by the United Nations or by any major country in the world. Independently legal, while being a major focus of the global high-tech supply chain.