Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Concern about vote distribution

Hong Tsun-ming 康駿銘

Now that The presidential and legislative elections are over, having gone through political turmoil, such as the failed alliance attempt of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), the alleged illegal constructions on candidates’ properties and the unpredictability of TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je’s (柯文哲) shenanigans, the voters have chosen the right person and path.

It is the first time since Taiwan’s first direct presidential election in 1996 that a party has won more than two consecutive presidential elections. President-elect William Lai (賴清德) and vice president-elect Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) are the best result for Taiwan to continue advancing on a democratic road and on the world stage.

Rather than being excited, I am concerned about the vote share.

Taiwan’s elections praised worldwide

Taipei Times

Several countries, including Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, the US, the UK and EU countries, have congratulated the nation on its democratic achievement after the presidential and legislative elections on Saturday.

Twelve diplomatic allies of Taiwan — Palau, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru, Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Paraguay, Saint Lucia and Eswatini — congratulated the nation following the completion of the elections, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.

Lai leads DPP to historic third term

Taipei Times

Vice President William Lai (賴清德) won the presidential election last night, delivering the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) a record third term in office.

It is the first time since direct presidential elections began in Taiwan in 1996 that a party has won the presidency in more than two consecutive elections.

Voting began at 8am at nearly 18,000 polling stations, with almost 20 million people eligible to cast ballots. Polls closed at 4pm, with vote-counting by hand starting almost immediately. There was no electronic, absentee, proxy or early voting.

Better alert procedures needed

Taipei Times Editorial

The government on Tuesday issued a presidential alert via mobile phone networks after China launched a satellite into orbit, with its launch vehicle passing over southern Taiwan.

The alert has been criticized for a number of reasons, including the anxiety it caused, the mistranslation of its content into English and the lack of useful instructions on what actions to take.

It was argued on social media that the alert was made to warn the public about possible falling debris from the launch vehicle. This was likely inferred from the Chinese text, which read: “If you encounter any unknown objects, report the sighting to police or fire personnel” (若發現不明物體，通報警消人員處理).

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