Beijing ‘interferes daily’ in Taiwan’s election, says Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai says the Republic of China ‘is a country, a sovereign, independent country’ and its people have the right to choose their president

Taiwan elections 2020

Reuters

Published: 8:24pm, 19 Nov 2019

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Beijing is interfering in Taiwan’s elections “every day” as it seeks to damage the island’s democracy, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, after mainland China sailed an aircraft carrier group near the self-ruled island on the weekend.

The election campaign, which is also for Taiwan’s legislature, has kicked into high gear, and is being closely watched by Beijing, which claims Taiwan as Chinese territory, to be brought under its control by force if needed.

China sailed an aircraft carrier group through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Sunday, the same day Tsai announced her running mate, former premier William Lai Ching-te, who has angered Beijing with his pro-independence comments. Taiwan denounced the carrier sailing as attempt to intimidate voters.

Beijing fears Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party will push for Taiwan’s formal independence, a red line for Beijing which in 2005 enacted the Anti-Secession Law, allowiing it to use force on Taiwan in extreme cases.

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Speaking after formally registering to run for re-election in the January 11 vote, Tsai said the vote was happening at a crucial time, as Beijing’s pressure grew and against the backdrop of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

“Our Republic of China, Taiwan, is a country, a sovereign, independent country. Our people have the right to choose their own president,” she said, referring to Taiwan by its official name.

Asked whether she supported Taiwan independence, Tsai said the island already had sovereignty.

“We have sovereignty, we have a government, we have a democratic free system, we defend ourself, we have diplomatic relations. This is the Republic of China, Taiwan, that I’m talking about,” she said.

Beijing’s attempts to involve itself in Taiwan’s election were “clear and easy to see” as they sought to damage the island’s democracy, Tsai added, when asked about the carrier group in the Taiwan Strait.

“As a large country, internationally and regionally they have to have a responsibility to maintain regional peace and stability,” she said.

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Tsai declined to comment directly on the carrier which she called an “individual case”.

“China intervening in Taiwan’s election is happening, and it’s happening every day,” she said.

Beijing described the carrier sailing as routine and not aimed at anyone in particular, dismissing Taiwan’s complaints.

President Xi Jinping said in January that Beijing reserved the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but would strive to achieve peaceful “reunification”.

Tsai is leading in the polls over her main opponent Han Kuo-yu of the mainland-friendly Kuomintang party.

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