Unusual mainland candidate challenges Taiwan's political landscape

Li Zhen-xiu, originally from mainland China, campaigns vigorously for a parliamentary seat in Taiwan as a representative of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).

Li, one of only two candidates hailing from across the Taiwan Strait, is striving to address the complex issues surrounding the island’s relationship with its communist neighbor.

At the heart of her campaign is a focus on the rights of the 360,000 spouses from mainland China, including herself, who are married to Taiwanese citizens. Battling for equality, Li aims to bridge the divide and contribute to reducing misunderstandings between the two sides.

Despite tensions between Beijing and Taipei, Li remains pragmatic, expressing her desire for the Chinese people to decide their path towards democracy. In an exclusive interview with AFP, she stated, “It’s not our business whether people eat with chopsticks or forks. We should just do the best of our own things.”

As Taiwan gears up for its elections, the overarching theme revolves around the island’s future ties with an increasingly assertive Beijing. Individuals like Li, with family connections on both sides, find themselves caught in the midst of this political tug-of-war.

The plight of mainland spouses comes to the forefront, as they endure a six-year wait for Taiwanese citizenship, twice as long as applicants from other countries. Facing this disparity, Li emphasizes the need for fair treatment rather than compassion.

Meanwhile, mainland students in Taiwan face challenges in their academic and professional pursuits.

Denied the right to apply for central government scholarships and restricted from local employment post-graduation, these students grapple with unequal treatment, leading some to feel like mere “observers” in Taiwanese society.

Beijing’s influence extends beyond students, as a travel ban since August 2019 prevents its citizens from visiting Taiwan for leisure.

Despite these restrictions, individuals like Jenny Feng, a restaurant owner in China’s Hunan province, express a longing for improved cross-strait relations, yearning for a time when travel between the two sides was more accessible.

With the election looming, the dynamics between Taiwan and mainland China continue to shape the aspirations and challenges faced by those on both sides of the strait.