In Taiwan 2020 election race, the influence of mainland-based voters may be waning
- About one million Taiwanese businesspeople live and work in mainland China and traditionally vote ‘blue’
- With some wavering and falling numbers they may have less influence than before on the next presidential poll
As Taiwan’s 2020 presidential race approaches, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party will be counting on the support of one of its most loyal constituencies – the Taiwanese business community living and working on the mainland. But some analysts believe their influence is a diminishing force in the self-ruled island’s politics.
One of these businessmen, surnamed Lin, who has lived in mainland China for more than a decade, identifies politically as someone who leans blue – the colour associated with the Beijing-friendly KMT – rather than green, which is linked to the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Han will be facing off against current President Tsai Ing-wen who will be seeking a second term on the strength of her stance against pressure from Beijing which claims self-governed Taiwan as its own, to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary.
“My wife and I are both more blue, or rather, anti-green,” Lin said, from a Taipei cafe while visiting family back home. “But I am worried now that the Kuomintang is too close to China, although the DPP is too dumb and incapable,” he said.
“I don’t think I will come back to vote this time. Anyway, no matter if it is the KMT or the DPP that wins, Beijing’s ambitions on Taiwan will not change.”
