President-elect vows to maintain peace in Taiwan Straits

TAIPEI: Taiwan’s president-elect Lai Ching-te vowed Saturday to defend the self-ruled island from “intimidation” by China, after voters defied warnings from Beijing and swept him to election victory.

Lai -- branded by Beijing as a threat to peace in the flashpoint region -- secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Saturday’s poll after a raucous campaign in which he pitched himself as the defender of Taiwan’s democratic way of life.

Communist China claims democratic Taiwan, separated from the mainland by a 180-kilometre (110-mile) strait, as its own and refuses to rule out using force to bring about “unification”, even if conflict does not appear imminent.

Beijing, which before the poll called Lai a “severe danger” and urged voters to shun him, said Saturday the result would not stop “the inevitable trend of China’s reunification”.

In his victory speech Lai said he would maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, but pledged to defend the island from Chinese belligerence. “We are determined to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threats and intimidation from China,” he told supporters.

With votes from all polling stations counted, the Central Election Commission said Lai won 40.1 percent of votes, ahead of Hou Yu-ih of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) on 33.5 percent.

The election was watched closely by both Beijing and Washington, Taiwan’s main military partner, as the two superpowers tussle for influence in the strategically vital region.

Lai thanked the Taiwanese people for “writing a new chapter in our democracy” by defying one-party-state China’s threats and warnings.

“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy,” he said, adding that he will also try to pursue exchanges with China.

Before Saturday’s poll, authorities repeatedly warned of interference from China, pointing to paid trips to the mainland for voters and flagging disinformation that painted Lai in a negative light.

After his win, Lai said the island had “successfully resisted efforts from external forces to influence this election”. The victory extends DPP’s rule after eight years under outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, who had served the maximum two four-year terms.

Supporters wearing the party’s green colours celebrated at DPP headquarters.

“We are very, super, world-class happy,” said first-time voter Grace, 21, a student who gave only one name.