Tsai Ing Wen LLM ’80 Elected President of Taiwan

Ms Tsai Ing-wen led her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party to a landslide victory in presidential and parliamentary polls on Saturday, much to the annoyance of giant neighbour China, which considers the island a breakaway province.

According to popular belief, a communication method will be implemented so cross-strait relationships would not be affected. Her election, though long expected given the unpopularity of the current, pro-China ruling party, has still seemed to rankle in mainland China, particularly the online spaces where grassroots nationalism flourishes. But the deepening cross-strait economic integration sparked concern among Taiwanese people that the island’s autonomy was being undermined. The DPP’s majority in the LY will become a reality on February 2, when the newly elected legislators take their seats (meanwhile, Tsai herself won’t assume office until May 20). Many in the electorate also believe the Ma administration could have done more to create jobs, raise wages and control housing prices.

The election results also represented a staunch rejection of outgoing President Ma’s beliefs and policies. “After all, it’s both sides’ responsibility to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait”. On Monday, Hong Kong authorities said the chief editor of a Hong Kong publishing company, who disappeared in the city, was being held inside China, supposedly to assist in an investigation. The party has emerged as an unlikely star in the elections, with one of its candidates, heavy-metal musician Freddy Lim, winning a legislative seat. Moreover, the electorate resisted the KMT’s new generation of leaders like Eric Chu and Hau Lung-pin.

Lastly, this was an election that challenged the status quo.

With astounding academic credentials and policy experience, President-Elect Tsai is not someone who should be taken lightly. In response, the Sunflower Movement was formed in 2014, inciting protests and a legislative sit-in, demanding more transparency on policy from the government. Notably, these legislators include a scholar and a rock star. Throughout her election campaign, she emphasized the need to reexamine cross-strait negotiations and rules with China, and she has not backed the so-called “1992 consensus”. Washington may feel that it has tweaked Beijing’s nose by recently announcing new arms sales to Taiwan, consistent with the USA obligation to help it defend itself, and now seeing the election of a government that will be less friendly to Beijing. Exhibiting the technological skills for electronics and low-priced quality production of commodity products, that are obvious in other Asiatic nations with large Chinese populations (Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia), Taiwan generates a three quarter billion dollar annual gross domestic product which lists it among the world’s ten most productive.

Nevertheless, if we keep worrying about China’s [use of] military force, we will end up doing nothing.

Aaron Huang is a research assistant for the Baker Institute China Studies Program.