2024-01-14 08:43:14
The inhabitants of Taiwan elected Lai-Ching-te as the island’s new president this Saturday. China “deplores” this Sunday the American reaction, which congratulated the winner of the vote. Follow the latest information.
09:42
BEIJING “HIGHLY DEPLOYS” THE AMERICAN CONGRATULATIONS
China’s Foreign Ministry “strongly deplores” the US statement on the Taiwan vote, following Washington’s congratulations to Lai Ching-te. The American declaration “sends a profoundly erroneous signal to separatist forces in favor of ‘Taiwan independence'”, believes the Chinese ministry. “We strongly deplore it and we firmly oppose it,” he added.
09:40
TAIWAN CALLS ON CHINA TO “RESPECT ELECTIONS”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Beijing authorities to respect the results of the election, to face reality and to give up repressing Taiwan,” declared the Taiwanese ministry in a press release this Sunday, the day following the victory of Lai Ching-te.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said earlier on Sunday that “Taiwan is part of China.”
09:38
AN AMERICAN DELEGATION TO TAIWAN
An informal delegation sent by the United States is expected to arrive in Taiwan this Sunday, according to the American Institute in Taiwan. She will meet “a series of high-profile figures” on Monday and convey the American people’s congratulations to Taiwan on the successful elections.
Saturday January 13, 2024
17:20
CONGRATULATIONS FROM PARAGUAY
The president of Paraguay, one of the few countries in the world to recognize Taiwan, congratulated Lai Ching-te on his election in a video call. Santiago Peña said he was “happy to see Taiwan once once more prove its values through democratic elections”, according to a press release from the DPP, Lai Ching-te’s party.
17:18
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES
After Joe Biden’s very brief statement, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken was a little more extensive on the election of Lai Ching-te as president of Taiwan. “The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. We also congratulate the people of Taiwan for once once more demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process,” the Secretary of State said in a statement.
“The United States is committed to maintaining peace and stability across the (Taiwan) Strait and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from pressure and coercion,” he added. Antony Blinken also said he looked forward to working in the future with Lai Ching-te “to advance our shared interests and values, and continue our long-standing unofficial relationship, in a manner consistent” with the official position of the United States. United.
“The partnership between the American and Taiwanese people, rooted in democratic values, continues to broaden and deepen through economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” he concluded.
16:46
THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE
American President Joe Biden was questioned by the press regarding the election which took place in Taiwan. “We do not support independence,” he recalled upon leaving the White House. Although the United States does not recognize Taiwan as a state and considers the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government, it nevertheless provides the island with significant military aid.
16:41
RESULTS OF THE LEGISLATIVE POLL
This voting day in Taiwan was also an opportunity for voters to renew the composition of its Parliament. The DDP, the party of the new elected president, lost its majority, recovering only 51 seats out of the 113 available. The KMT, the party of the candidate who came second in the presidential election, obtained 52 seats and the Taiwan People’s Party obtained 8.
And here are the full results of the Taiwanese Presidential and Legislative elections courtesy of @taiwanplusnews : pic.twitter.com/xTUTQlYJ7Y — Taiwan Policy Centre (@TaiwanPolicyCen) January 13, 2024
16:04
AN “INEVITABLE” REUNIFICATION, ACCORDING TO CHINA
In a statement, China said that “reunification” with Taiwan is “inevitable”, despite the vote, while the progressive candidate Lai Ching-te has just been elected. The country also reiterated its opposition to “separatist activities” in Taiwan following the election.
15:42
MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO
Rather than a strong demand for independence, the Taiwanese parties, including the DDP to which the new president is a member, like the population support a status quo. The election of Lai Ching-te is seen as “the continuity of something that has gradually developed since the end of martial law in 1973. Since then, Taiwan has become a complete democracy”, analyzes the research director at IRIS and China specialist, Jean-Vincent Brisset.
Taiwan: analysis by Jean-Vincent Brisset, research director at IRIS, specialist in ChinaSource: TF1 Info
15:21
NO REACTION IN CHINA
Following the election of Lai Ching-te as Taiwanese president, China has so far not reacted, even though he had been described as a “serious danger” by Beijing. In China, media coverage of the vote was reduced to a minimum during the campaign and on Saturday evening, the news on state television did not even mention it.
15:15
AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR MAY 20
At the end of a campaign marked by strong diplomatic and military pressure from China, Lai Ching-te won this one-round presidential election with 40.1% of the votes, according to results covering 99.9% of polling stations. vote. He will take office on May 20.
14:38
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION
In a statement, the European Union said:[féliciter] all voters” having participated in “this democratic exercise”. The EU therefore chooses not to directly congratulate the new elected president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te, it does not even mention him, while recognizing this election, so that the island of Taiwan is not officially recognized by the EU and still claimed by China.
“The EU remains concerned by the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral attempt aimed at changing the status quo,” said the press release from the spokesperson for the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell. “The EU emphasizes that peace and stability across the Strait are essential to security and prosperity in the region and the world.”
14:19
“PROTECT TAIWAN”
In his victory speech, Lai Ching-te promises to “protect Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China”, following his election as president of the island, also promising to “continue exchanges and cooperation with China” .
14:17
A DESIRE FOR PEACE
Following the results, the new president Lai Ching-te speaks. His party and its supporters recall that Taiwan must be firm in the face of China, “this is how we can keep it at bay and achieve peace”, according to comments reported by the LCI special envoy. The new president recalled that he wanted to maintain the “status quo” rather than defending a policy of independence, making a gesture towards China to calm their relations.
Taiwan will be “on the side of democracy”, assures Lai Ching-teSource: TF1 Info
13:52
“A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR DEMOCRACY”
In his victory speech, Lai Ching-te, who won the presidential election in Taiwan, hails “a new chapter in our democracy”, despite threats from Beijing which claims sovereignty. “I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy,” he said in a speech following his victory, because “we are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we We will be on the side of democracy.
Taiwan “resisted efforts by external forces to influence this election,” he added, while maintaining its desire for peace.
13:33
LAI CHING-TE GIVEN WINNER
Outgoing Vice President Lai Ching-te was declared the winner of the presidential election with 40.2% of the votes, according to results covering 98% of polling stations.
13:11
THE CANDIDATE ADVOCATING CONNECTION WITH BEIJING CONCEEDS HIS DEFEAT
The Kuomintang (KMT) candidate in favor of rapprochement with Beijing, Hou Yu-ih, concedes defeat. “I respect the final decision of the Taiwanese people” and “I congratulate Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim (his running mate, editor’s note) on their election, hoping that they will not disappoint the expectations of the Taiwanese people,” he said. he declared to his supporters.
12:23
COUNTING STILL IN PROGRESS
The counting continues in Taipei as elsewhere in Taiwan. At the start of the evening, outgoing vice-president Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was credited with 41.6% of the votes, according to official results covering more than 60% of polling stations, while his main opponent Hou Yu-ih, candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT) who advocates rapprochement with Beijing, obtained 33.2% of the votes.
Counting underway in Taiwan, Lai Ching-te in the lead Source: TF1 Info
12:21
PORTRAIT OF LAI CHING-TE
Find the portrait of the candidate who is currently at the top of the count in the article below.
InternationalPublished yesterday at 2:24 p.m.12:20
CANDIDATE LAI CHING-TE IN LEAD
The counting is still underway in Taiwan but the first partial results give Lai Ching-te in the lead, with 41.6% of the votes. Vice-president of Taiwan, the candidate is seen by Beijing as “a serious danger” because of his positions in favor of independence.
12:02
WHO ARE THE THREE CANDIDATES?
For this one-round presidential election, three candidates presented themselves. Favorite of the ballot, the vice-president Lai Ching-te, of the Democratic Progressive Party, is seen by Beijing as “a serious danger”. Facing him, Hou Yu-ih, candidate of the Kuomintang, the main opposition party, advocates a rapprochement with Beijing. The third candidate, Ko Wen-je, of the small Taiwanese People’s Party, presents itself as anti-establishment. Details can be found in the video below.
Taiwan: presentation of the three candidatesSource: TF1 Info
11:57
LIVING WITH THE THREAT OF AN INVASION
“The Taiwanese have been used to Chinese demands for 70 years, to strong military pressure for 30 years, and to scenarios of attacks and invasions for 10 years. Whether it is probable or not, it is not the question, they live with it”, underlines to LCI the lecturer at Sciences-Po Lyon, specialist in the Chinese world Stéphane Corcuff. “Every time there is a missile crisis or large-scale military exercises, the Taiwanese continue their daily lives as if there were none. Because they are obliged to do so,” adds -he.
“They live with” the threat of an invasion from China, says researcher Stéphane Corcuff regarding the Taiwanese Source: TF1 Info
11:20
RESULTS PUBLISHED IN REAL TIME
Unlike France, the counting results are published in real time. In Taipei, the Taiwanese capital where the LCI special envoy is located, it is the DPP candidate, William Lai, who is, for the moment, well in the lead with 38% of the votes. The final results will be given a little later in the evening by the Electoral Commission.
In Taiwan, voters had until 4 p.m. to choose their president. At the headquarters of the DPP, the ruling party, the activists are confident: here the results are published in real time and for the moment their candidate William Lai is well ahead with 38% of the votes @TF1Info pic.twitter.com/qzVhfLOnSG — Claire Cambier (@Claire_Cambier) January 13, 2024
11:16
DIVERGING OPINIONS
Relations between China and Taiwan take up a lot of space in these elections, but voters do not all agree on how this neighbor should be treated. “For me, it’s a choice between peace and war, you have to choose the party that is once morest the war,” said a Taiwanese met leaving the polling station. “I think it’s too extreme to say that it’s a choice between peace and war. It’s a political slogan, but not a reality. There are other choices than the extremes,” said one another voter.
Taiwan: a vote dominated by the island’s relations with ChinaSource: TF1 Info
10:48
LIVE FROM TAIPEI
According to Claire Cambier, LCI special correspondent in Taiwan, participation in Taipei is slightly above 70%. It’s very high, but lower than during the last elections. Four years ago, in 2020, participation reached 75%. 17 million people vote in Taiwan.
Taiwan: just over 70% participation in TaipeiSource: TF1 Info
10:45
UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ABOUT RELATIONS BETWEEN TAIWAN AND CHINA
Taiwan’s elections were dominated by the island’s relations with China. Explanations in the video below.
Understanding everything regarding relations between Taiwan and ChinaSource: TF1 Info
09:56
VOTERS FROM AWAY
Many voters did not hesitate to travel to take part in the vote. According to a press release from the Taiwanese railway company, 746,000 people were expected to take the train today, most of them to return to vote in their hometown, which is more than in 2020 (around 704,000). Taiwanese also returned to the country for the occasion, as voting abroad was not authorized. In all, millions of Taiwanese went to the polls.
In 2020, participation was close to 75% in this territory of 23 million inhabitants.
09:54
“A COUNTRY OF FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY”
The offices have closed but LCI went to meet those who voted to find out their expectations regarding these elections. In the foreground, Taiwan’s relationship with its neighbor, China, which claims the island and promises to “crush” any desire for independence.
“I think the problem in Taiwan is not determined by a party or its beliefs but by the hostile attitude of an external force,” said a Taiwanese interviewed in the report below. “I hope that we will remain a country of freedom and democracy,” hopes another.
Taiwan: counting underway following the presidential and legislative electionsSource: TF1 Info
09:47
PORTRAIT
Among the three candidates who ran in Taiwan’s presidential election, there is Lai Ching-te, current vice president. Representative of the Democratic Progressive Party, the same party as Tsai Ing-wen, who has presided over the island for 8 years, he has become the bête noire of Beijing. Find the portrait of the one who is presented as the favorite of the ballot.
InternationalPublished yesterday at 2:24 p.m.09:18
VOTING STATIONS CLOSED AT 4 P.M.
With a 7-hour time difference between Paris and Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, it is past 4 p.m. in the archipelago where major elections are taking place. The polling stations have closed and the counting can begin. The results of the presidential and legislative elections, in one round, are expected in the evening.
09:06
WEIBO BLOCKS A HASHTAG LINKED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
“In accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies, the content of this topic cannot be posted,” Weibo laconically displays when a search is now made with the hashtag “Taiwan Election”.
The topic had been viewed some 163.2 million times today following the polls opened.
08:03
KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE ELECTION
Voters in Taiwan vote to elect their new president. A crucial vote for the stability of the region. China, which claims sovereignty over the island, is trying to influence the verdict at the polls. An attitude that hardly goes down well with Washington, Taipei’s primary military supporter.
InternationalPublished on January 12, 2024 at 2:08 p.m. 08:01
BONJOUR
Hello and welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the election in Taiwan. Millions of residents are going to the polls today to elect their next president, despite growing threats from China, which claims the island and promises to “crush” any desire for independence. Find highlights and key images on this subject here.
Presidential election day in Taiwan this Saturday, January 13. The island, located 180 kilometers east of China, is claimed by the communist country as its own territory. Three main candidates can come to power in this one-round election.
First there is Lai Ching-te, current vice-president and supporter of the current president, Tsai Ing-wen. If the latter supports the the state in which with the Chinese neighbor, the candidate of his party, the DPP, claims a more radical position, not hesitating to affirm that Taiwan is already an independent state in its own right. He is currently the main favorite in the election.
Two rivals to favorite Lai-Ching-te
Another contender for the presidency: Hou Yu-ih, candidate of the KMT party, who is pushing for a rapprochement with Beijing. However, he does not want a “reunification“with Beijing, as he repeated during a conference on Thursday.”Taiwan is a democratic and free country“, he said, and “whatever China thinks, what public opinion in Taiwan wants us to do is maintain the status quo”.
Finally, a third man also emerges, according to observers. This is Ko Wen-je, from the TPP, Taiwan’s small popular party. Presented as an outsider, the latter promised to “change this country“, leaving traditional parties.”Democracy is our most important asset in Taiwan!“, he launched during one of his campaign meetings. This ex-surgeon, former mayor of the capital Taipei, is addressing in particular a younger and connected electorate, in a country which has strongly westernized over the last twenty years.
On Thursday, China called on Taiwanese voters to “The good choice“, castigating the “grave danger“what would Lai Ching-te represent. The army of the country led by Xi Jinping also affirmed a few hours later that it would not hesitate to “crush” the various attempts at independence on the island. The United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier, is also carefully scrutinizing the results of this election, which is particularly strategic for its influence in the region.
The editorial staff of TF1info with AFP
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