Taiwan Leader Re-Elected, Looks to Strengthen Ties with China
January 17, 2012
By: Rebecca Aaberg

On January 14, voters in Taiwan re-elected President Ma Ying-jeou from the Kuomintang Party (KMT) with about 51 percent of the vote, the BBC reported.  Opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) received approximately 46 percent of vote, a gain of about four percent since the 2008 elections, signaling a growth in support for the pro-independence opposition party.  According to the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) about 75 percent of voters in Taiwan participated in the elections.  ANFREL noted that the high turnout was a positive sign for democracy in the country.

Two independent election observation missions from ANFREL and the International Committee for Fair Elections in Taiwan (ICFET) released statements validating the free and fair nature of the election.  The 21-person ICFET mission consisted of observers from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Japan, Sweden, and the United States (US), and spoke with candidates and leaders of the KMT, the DPP, and the People’s First Party (PFP), while ANFREL included organizations from civil society in the recorded observations. 

Although both ANFREL and ICFET praised the January 14 outcome, the organizations warned that problems persist in the country’s electoral system.  ICFET called the elections “mostly free but party unfair” and cited vote buying, misuse of administrative power, campaign fund imbalance among parties, and foreign interference from China and the United States (US) as the greatest challenges to Taiwanese democratic elections. ANFREL added that ensuring the secrecy of ballots and non-partisan media coverage were also necessary for the electoral process, and stated that “while the current system is acceptable, international standards regarding translucent boxes, opaque voting booth curtains, and the like should be heeded in the future when purchasing new materials.”  Even so, ANFREL regarded the election as “another substantial step for Taiwan to consolidate its democracy and ensure that it remains a democratic leader in the region.” 

The US dubbed the recent election in Taiwan the “latest milestone for their democracy” in a press release from the US Department of State.  The US, which has economic interests in China but has sworn to protect Taiwan, welcomed Ma’s next term, according to the BBC.  The US described the positive reflection on Ma’s re-election in a statement to the BBC: “Cross-strait peace, stability, and improved relations, in an environment free of intimidation, are of profound importance to the United States.”

Ma has spoken in favor of lowering tariffs and promoting trade with China as a way to “replace danger with business opportunities.”  Following the end of the presidency of pro-independence leader Chen Shui-bian in 2008, Ma entered peace talks with China to mitigate potential conflict.  He viewed the upcoming presidential term as one with “more harmony, more trust, with China.”  Voice of America reported that the Taiwanese government produced sixteen agreements with China over Ma’s previous four-year term.  China’s state media service Xinhua regarded Ma’s re-election as a step toward increased ties: “The victory of Ma and the KMT may represent a new opportunity for the development of cross-Strait relations.” 

China maintains its claim over the island even after six decades of separation, and while trade and economic ties have strengthened over the past twenty years, the independent Taiwanese identity has gained prominence, leading to further tensions with China, the Washington Post reported. 

For previous news on Taiwan, please see:
Update on Elections in Taiwan 

Sources:
Asian Network for Free Elections - ANFREL Election Observers’ Statement on Taiwan’s 2012 Elections

BBC - Taiwan Backs Ma, but Unease Over China Remains

International Committee for Fair Elections in Taiwan - Mostly Free but Partly Unfair

United States Department of State – Taiwan Presidential Election Press Statement

Voice of America – Taiwan’s President’s Reelection Signals Easing Tensions with Beijing

Washington Post - Taiwan unlikely to move to reunify with China, despite Ma Ying-jeou’s reelection

Xinhua - Ma's re-election opens new chances for peaceful cross-Strait relations

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