Taiwan Elections: President Tsai Urges Voters to Consider Hong Kong Situation Amidst Rising Tensions with China

In the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan on January 13th, President Tsai Ing-wen has urged voters to consider the situation in Chinese-controlled Hong Kong when making their decision. With China increasing military pressure on Taiwan, Tsai emphasized the need for peace to be accompanied by strong defense capabilities. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has conducted two major war games near the island in the past year and a half. The election has been framed as a choice between war and peace by China and Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT).

The Chinese government views Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, as dangerous separatists. Tsai addressed her supporters at a campaign rally in Taipei, expressing her concern about the opposition's alarmist rhetoric surrounding war and peace. She questioned whether anyone wants war and urged the audience to consider the situation in Hong Kong. Tsai emphasized that Taiwan does not desire a Hong Kong-style peace, but rather a dignified peace. Hong Kong, formerly a British colony, was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under the promise of enjoying wide autonomy through the "one country, two systems" framework.

However, this framework has found little support in Taiwan. Beijing imposed a stringent national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, citing the need to restore stability after months of anti-government and anti-China protests. Tsai, who is barred by term limits from seeking re-election, has made strengthening Taiwan's defenses a key aspect of her presidency. Lai, who is currently leading in the polls, has pledged to continue this focus. Taiwan has repeatedly offered talks with China, maintaining that only its people can decide their future, but these offers have been rejected by China.

Tsai highlighted the importance of strengthening Taiwan's ability to defend itself in order to ensure peace. She compared it to having locks on one's house, not to provoke neighbors but to safeguard dignity. Hou Yu-ih, the KMT presidential candidate, claimed that voting for the DPP would be equivalent to sending everyone to the battlefield, as supporting Taiwan independence could lead to war. The KMT, known for its historically close ties with China, denies being pro-Beijing and has pledged to reopen talks with China if it wins the election.