Taiwan opposition leader Tsai Ing-wen’s Facebook page flooded with posts from the mainland

Tens of thousands of posts apparently from the mainland have flooded Taiwan presidential election front runner Tsai Ing-wen’s Facebook account, demanding that the island reunify with the mainland.

Her response yesterday was to welcome mainland interest in democracy.

The surge in posts, nearing 70,000, is all the more astonishing because Facebook is generally blocked in the Communist Party-ruled mainland, although there are ways of getting around the firewalls.

“I hope this rare new experience can let the ‘new friend’ see a more complete democracy, freedom and pluralism of Taiwan,” Tsai posted to contributors “from across the Strait”, the strip of water separating the mainland and Taiwan. “Welcome to the world of Facebook!”

Beijing deems proudly democratic Taiwan a breakaway province to be taken back, by force if necessary, particularly if it makes moves towards formal independence.

Tsai is the leader of Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which traditionally favours independence from the mainland and is expected to win presidential and parliamentary elections in January.