Taiwan: Election crucial for Island's democracy, global stability

Taiwan is gearing up for a presidential election on Saturday, with the democratic island facing escalating threats from China.

The outcome of this closely-watched election is expected to shape the course of Taiwan’s future, as it grapples with the specter of growing aggression from its powerful neighbor.

Taiwan, a dynamic democracy of 23 million people, finds itself separated from communist-ruled China by a mere 180-kilometer strait, a divide that underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s steadfast refusal to renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control has cast a looming shadow over the electoral proceedings.

Vice President Lai Ching-te, the frontrunner from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), positions himself as the defender of Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai urges voters to “choose the right path” to safeguard the island’s democracy against the encroaching threats from Beijing.

Meanwhile, his main opponent, former police chief and mayor Hou Yu-ih, asserts that Lai poses a danger to cross-strait relations and touts his Kuomintang (KMT) as the party capable of maintaining peace with China.

Adding a twist to the political landscape is the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), an unexpected force led by Ko Wen-je, offering an alternative to the established parties.

Against the backdrop of Taiwan’s vibrant political discourse, ranging from economic concerns to social programs, the specter of China remains a predominant issue for voters.

While Taiwan has transitioned from an autocracy to a democracy since the nationalists fled China in 1949, tensions with China have persisted, making Taiwan a global military flashpoint. The strategic significance of Taiwan, located on a maritime gateway connecting the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, has prompted significant U.S. investment in arming the island against potential threats.

The escalating military maneuvers by China, including warplanes, reconnaissance drones, and naval vessels near Taiwan, have raised concerns of an “accidental conflict.”

Beijing’s recent threat warning of a “severe danger” to cross-strait ties in case of Lai’s victory adds further complexity to the situation.

Notably, Taiwan’s status as a semiconductor powerhouse, producing 90 percent of the world’s most advanced microchips, adds an economic dimension to the geopolitical scenario.

Any conflict could have far-reaching consequences on the global economy, impacting technology exports and disrupting the production of essential components.

As the world watches, the election outcome not only holds the potential for an unprecedented third consecutive term for a party in the democratic era but also carries significant implications for cross-strait dynamics, regional stability, and the balance of power between the U.S. and China.

The international community, including U.S. President Joe Biden, has emphasized the importance of respecting Taiwan’s democratic processes, recognizing the island as a critical bastion of democracy in Asia.

In a landscape where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s actions in Hong Kong have sent shockwaves, preserving the status quo becomes a rallying call for stability.

Taiwan, with less than three percent of its population identifying as Chinese, stands as a testament to the resilience of democracy in the face of authoritarian pressures.

The world indeed has a stake in preserving Taiwan as one of the strongest democracies in Asia, with potential implications for global safety and democracy at large.