Projections indicate that no party has won a majority in the recent Taiwan elections. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured the presidency for another four years, and as a result, the partnership between Taiwan and the United States is expected to continue to deter China. DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, also known as William Lai, received over 5.4 million votes, a significant number that represents over 40 percent of the ballot. His victory means that his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, will become the new vice president. The main opposition Kuomintang Party (KMT) finished in second place, with about 4.5 million votes, and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) received about 3.5 million votes.
The elections occurred in the wake of increasing Chinese aggression and hostility against Taiwan, an island that is seen by the Chinese Communist Party as territory it aims to take over. China continued its aggression on election day, sending numerous military planes and vessels near Taiwan. Lai’s victory is viewed as potentially upsetting to the Chinese regime, which typically favors KMT candidates. Despite this, Taiwan enjoys bipartisan support in protecting its democracy and way of life. The current administration has lost its legislative majority.
Experts have weighed in on the election results, providing analyses of potential future outcomes. Dr. Lai I-chung believes that a continued DPP leadership signals to the world, and to China in particular, that Taiwan will continue to stand strong with its partners, upholding democracy and the rule-based international order. During his campaign, Lai warned that if he didn’t win, Taiwan could become a loophole for China to obtain technologies and goods. Another expert, Puma Shen, stated that a victory for Lai would ensure Taiwan continues to work with its allies as a deterrence against China.
The United States has openly demonstrated support for Taiwan following the elections. President Biden’s administration has announced plans to send a high-level delegation to Taiwan. The resolution, led by Sens. Dan Sullivan and Tim Kaine, seeks to show unwavering support for Taiwan’s democracy. The United States has emphasized the importance of supporting Taiwan, especially amid threats and intimidation from China. These bipartisan efforts in Congress underscore the commitment to opposing authoritarianism and supporting democratic institutions.