Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen reelected as voters back tough China stance
Tsai Ing-wen was reelected as Taiwan's president by a landslide Saturday, signaling strong support for her tough stance against China among voters determined to defend their democratic way of life.
Tsai soundly defeated Nationalist Party candidate Han Kuo-yu, receiving 57.2% of the vote to Han's 38.6%, with virtually all of the votes counted. She wasted no time in warning communist-ruled China, which views Taiwan as a renegade province, not to try to use threats of force against the self-governed island.
"Today I want to once again remind the Beijing authorities that peace, parity, democracy and dialogue are the keys to stability," Tsai said in her victory speech. "I want the Beijing authorities to know that democratic Taiwan and our democratically elected government will never concede to threats."
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"I hope that Beijing will show its goodwill," she said. Taiwan's voters have "shown that when our sovereignty and democracy are threatened, the Taiwan people will shout our determination even more loudly."
Taiwan has developed its own identity since separating from China during civil war in 1949, but has never declared formal independence. Beijing still claims sovereignty over the island of 23 million people and threatens to use force to seize control if necessary.
Tsai managed to win in areas that traditionally have gone to the Nationalists in central and southern Taiwan. She said the results of the election proved that Taiwanese are committed to defending their democracy and way of life.
Given China's efforts to isolate Taiwan during Tsai's first term, her victory will likely bring on still more deadlock and pressure from Beijing, she acknowledged
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