Taiwan Election News

It’s a funny thing having an election in a country that may not be as sovereign in a few years. No I am not talking about America but Taiwan. Taiwan has been a separate country since 1949 when it split from China. Hong Kong was another close geographically, but separate region and returned to being a part of China. But Taiwan has remained separate and even defied China while China was massing troops near the Taiwan Strait in an attempt of force.
Nationalist Party presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou celebrates with supporters after winning Taiwan’s presidential election with a 17% point landslide in Saturday’s election. 

 

He stated: “People want a clean a government instead of a corrupt one,” said Ma, who also once served as a justice minister. “They want a good economy, not a sluggish one. They don’t want political feuding. They want peace across the Taiwan Strait. No war.”

Words to live by. 

The ruling party candidate Hsieh gave a speech that sounded like a concession speech to a saddened crowd Saturday.

Taiwan and China split during the 23 year civil war ending in 1949, but China still considers the island to be part of its territory. Beijing promotes a “one country” ideal with its dealings with Taiwan and Hong Kong and has threatened to attack if Taiwan rejects unification and seeks a permanent break. Both presidential candidates had encouraged closer ties with China and to avoid angering their close neighbor.

Hong Kong has done well in the 10 years since their reunification with China and their economy has prospered. All the while still being different from China and retaining its distinctive and exciting nature.

Hopefully Taiwan will be able to do the same.