Beijing ‘interferes daily’ in Taiwan’s election, says Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai says the Republic of China ‘is a country, a sovereign, independent country’ and its people have the right to choose their president

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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (left) waves to supporters while launching her re-election campaign in Taipei on Sunday. Photo: AP

Published: 8:24pm, 19 Nov 2019Updated: 8:24pm, 19 Nov 2019

Beijing is interfering in Taiwan’s elections “every day” as it seeks to damage the island’s democracy, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, after mainland China sailed an aircraft carrier group near the self-ruled island on the weekend.

The election campaign, which is also for Taiwan’s legislature, has kicked into high gear, and is being closely watched by Beijing, which claims Taiwan as Chinese territory, to be brought under its control by force if needed.

China sailed an aircraft carrier group through the sensitive Taiwan Strait on Sunday, the same day Tsai announced her running mate, former premier William Lai Ching-te, who has angered Beijing with his pro-independence comments. Taiwan denounced the carrier sailing as attempt to intimidate voters.

Beijing fears Tsai and her Democratic Progressive Party will push for Taiwan’s formal independence, a red line for Beijing which in 2005 enacted the Anti-Secession Law, allowiing it to use force on Taiwan in extreme cases.

Speaking after formally registering to run for re-election in the January 11 vote, Tsai said the vote was happening at a crucial time, as Beijing’s pressure grew and against the backdrop of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

“Our Republic of China, Taiwan, is a country, a sovereign, independent country. Our people have the right to choose their own president,” she said, referring to Taiwan by its official name.