Taiwan Votes in What China Calls "Peace or War" Election

Taiwan is voting in a pivotal election on Saturday that China has called a choice between war and peace for the self-ruling island that has the support of the United States.

The election holds big implications for Taiwan, with the enduring question of its relations with both China and the United States as well as promises of extensive social reforms and critical decisions on economic and energy policies.

Taiwan's complex relationship with China is key, with the island running itself since the communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, despite China's claim of sovereignty.

Some 19.54 million citizens, or 83% of the population, eligible to cast their ballots. This number includes approximately 1.03 million first-time voters, a substantial addition to the electorate, as reported by the Central Election Commission in Taipei.

All major political parties in Taiwan have expressed support for maintaining the current status quo with China, which implies neither moving towards formal independence nor accepting China's unification demands.

The United States has continued to support Taiwan's right to self-determination, complemented by arms sales to aid in the island's defense.

Asked why this election was important to him, Nicholas Wu, a Taiwanese American with dual citizenship who traveled from California to vote, told Newsweek: "This is in order to maintain the freedom and prosperity of Taiwan."

"It is a long ways, but it is worth it—for the stability of this area and also global stability," he added.

In the electoral contest, Lai Ching-te, the current vice president from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, previously identified as a "pragmatic Taiwan independence worker" but is now best described as being strongly anti-unification.

A spokesman for the China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement ahead of the election that there was an "extreme danger" of him triggering confrontation and conflict across the Taiwan Strait.

Hou Yu-ih, the mayor of New Taipei City from the opposition Kuomintang, is running against Lai with a platform that rejects both Taiwanese independence and Beijing's unification plans.

He advocates for increased economic and cultural exchanges with the mainland as a pathway to peace.

A third significant candidate, Ko Wen-je, the chair of the Taiwan People's Party and known for his populist and realistic approach, emphasizes solving practical issues over ideological commitments.

The election has been highlighted by China as a choice for the Taiwanese people between "peace and war," reflecting the high stakes and China's clear preference in the outcome.

Long-term surveys indicate a lack of interest among Taiwanese citizens in pursuing formal independence or unification with China.

The incumbent president, Tsai Ing-wen, has managed a pragmatic but firm approach towards China, with no direct dialogue for several years.

Strict pre-election rules in Taiwan prohibit the publication and discussion of public opinion polls 10 days prior to voting. Before this blackout period began, early January polls indicated that Lai was leading in what appeared to be a tightening race.

The Chinese perspective was reiterated on Thursday by Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, who affirmed China's stance that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China" and opposed any official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwanese authorities.