Taiwan-China Cross-Strait Tensions

How Big is China a Factor in Taiwan's 9-in-1 Local Elections?

Published

By TaiwanPlus

Open in App

With Taiwan’s 9-in-1 local elections taking place this Saturday, Taiwan Talks explores how much of an impact recent Chinese aggression has on voters and will the country finally break away from the DPP-KMT two party gridlock. As Xi Jinping continues to ramp up his intimidation campaign, from refusing to renounce the use of force over Taiwan, to meeting with the leaders of U.S. allies, we examine the effectiveness of the DPP’s "Resist China, Protect Taiwan" campaign slogan in this election. With the TPP’s rising popularity, could the "white wave" become a new significant power broker in Taiwan’s two party discourse? In this episode, Chenlung Kuo, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of United Daily News and Albert Chiu, Professor of Political Science at Tunghai University joins us in the studio to discuss the implications of this local election amid rising Cross-Strait tensions and changing voting trends. We also hear from Lai Pin-yu, Taiwan’s youngest legislator, representing the DPP, on the importance of the referendum for lowering suffrage to 18 and reasons behind this election’s record number of female candidates. Topics discussed: - Impact of China’s increased aggression on the Taiwanese electorate in this election - Does China favor a particular party? - Different advantages and drawbacks the DPP and KMT can draw from in presidential and local elections - Could this local election serve as a referendum on the Tsai administration? - The power of incumbency and voters’ attitudes towards the pandemic response - Wen-je, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je’s presidential prospects and the viability of the Taiwan People’s Party as a new third political force - Reasons behind the demise of smaller political parties in Taiwan - Likelihood of the passage of the referendum on reducing Taiwan's voting age to 18 and what it takes to attract and empower the youth vote - Where Taiwan is on gender equality in politics and longstanding issues the country will need to address - Could the results of this local election indicate who could likely become the next Taiwan president in 2024?