China warns Taiwan against independence activities

The activists’ success came on the night Taiwan voted in its first female president, Tsai Ing-wen of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which has traditionally campaigned for the island’s independence.

She has also pledged her support for the country’s Pride parade, lighting up her party headquarters in the colours of the rainbow flag. DPP also secured 68 seats in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan, with KMT winning 35 and the remaining 10 seats going to smaller parties.

Referring to this case, Tsai said it had “shaken the Taiwanese society”.

“Our democratic system, national identity and global space must be respected”, she said.

“On important issues of principle like protecting the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, our will is as hard as rock”, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said in a Saturday statement carried by state media. “Tsai says relations will be stable but the DPP is famous for its strong stance on independence and I don’t think the mainland will accept this”.

That could anger Beijing, which views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory that is to be taken by force if necessary.

“The Taiwan issue is an internal matter for China”, it said.

Tsai’s victory had been widely expected, as voters had grown tired of a sluggish economy, which grew only 1% past year, and wages that have always been stagnant under the leadership of the KMT and outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou. Taiwan is officially known as the Republic of China, and while the island is technically a sovereign state, mainland China (the People’s Republic of China, or PRC) sees Taiwan as under its authority.

Support for Tsai has surged as voters have become increasingly uneasy about a recent rapprochement with China under Ma, who must step down after a maximum two terms.

Student protesters occupying Taiwan’s parliament to stop the government from ratifying a contentious trade pact with China on March 21, 2014 vowed to take further action after the government failed to respond to their ultimatum.

“I voted for KMT because they are less likely to provoke cross-strait troubles. We’ve lived through war, and it was not easy”, said Chen, 83, a military veteran who declined to give his full name.

While she makes no pretence of supporting the “one China” doctrine embraced by both the mainland and the Nationalist opposition, she has given assurances that she intends to uphold the “status quo” with China, as The Christian Science Monitor reported.

The video even garnered a mention from Tsai in her victory speech, saying it “has shaken Taiwanese society”.

“I’m sorry … We’ve lost”.

Lin said he’s hopeful that Tsai can help turn Taiwan around. About five weeks later, in mid-December, Washington announced it would resume selling weapons to Taiwan for the first time in four years. The outcome of today’s elections represents the will of the Taiwanese people. Describing the election as historic, Tsai said the “democratic spirit” of Taiwan was the election’s biggest significance, hinting at a contrast with one party-ruled China. And that naturally brings up questions about Taiwan’s relationship with China moving forward.