Taiwan elects president amid growing threats from Chinese rule

Taiwanese people begin voting this Saturday to elect a new president, who will have the challenge of retaining this term. Democracy In the face of rising Chin threatsto put an end to Autonomy of the island.

On the eve of the vote, China urged Taiwan if it wanted to make a “correct decision”. war And described the beloved and current vice president of the island, Lai Ching-te, Like dangerousSeparatist“

Approximately 18,000 polling booths of spread in this region 23 million inhabitants They open at 8:00 am local time and close at 4:00 pm for these single-round elections.

Results should be known by night, which will be followed closely China and from usa, The main base and supplier of weapons on the island.

“It is good that everyone can come to vote and exercise their rights as citizens,” he told the news agency. AFP Eve, a 27-year-old voter.

Three men want to succeed the President Tsai Ing-wenThe mandate, which began in 2016, has been marked by growth diplomatic pressureBeijing’s economic and military.

Besides lye, Democratic Progressive Party (PDD) in power, a former police officer is running Hou Yu-ih No Kuomintang (KMT), in favor of retention status quo With China, and Ko Wen-Jlittle leader Taiwan People’s Party (PPT).

Taiwan And China The continent has been de facto separated since 1949, when communist troops Mao Zedong They defeated nationalist forces, who took refuge on the island, and imposed an autocracy that transformed into a democracy in the 1990s.

China has never stopped announcing its intentions.”Reunification“country, by force if necessary. That same Friday, his army vowed to “crush” any attempt.Independence” from Taiwan, located just 180 km from its coast.

Results will be closely followed from China and Washington – The island’s main ally and arms supplier.

Vibrant election campaigning came to a close on Friday with rallies by all three parties Taipei which gathered thousands of people.

“After being elected as President, I will continue on the path of democracy and peace”, promised Lai, whose PPD party regards the island as a de facto independent state.

His main opponent Hou Yu-ih The Kuomintang reprimands Tsai and Lai for their sovereignist positions that contradict China and advocate closer ties with Beijing.

Faced with these two parties that have alternated power since the beginning of Taiwanese democracy, the small PPT made its way as the “Third Way.”

In addition to electing a president, the people of Taiwan must renew him Lok Sabha.

Strictly Election Law Taiwan prevents the publication of ballots within ten days of an election and also prohibits the media from asking voters which ballot they have chosen.

Analysts suggest that Lai, 64, will win the presidential election, but his party could lose its majority in the House of Representatives. 113 seats.

“I hope the next administration does the same as the current one.” a retiree surnamed Liu, 70, said at the same polling station where outgoing President Tsai will vote in New Taipei City.

The island is key World economyfor its strategic position between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean and for its prominence Semiconductor industryEssential components in the manufacture of telephones, cars or missiles.

In recent years, China has grown military pressure On the territory, from time to time began large-scale maneuvers that raised the threat of a final invasion.

It has also intensified its diplomatic campaign to secede Taiwan, a country now officially recognized by 13 states. Honduras either Nicaragua Severed ties with Taipei to establish one with Beijing.

Taiwan’s status is one of the thorniest issues in the rivalry between China and the United States, which compete for influence in this strategic area.

Washington urged Beijing not to interfere in the vote and to refrain from “further military pressure or coercive measures” following the results.

(AFP)