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Vote counting starts in Taiwan's critical elections watched closely by China

35 Comments
By Ben Blanchard and Joseph Campbell

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35 Comments

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Go Taiwanese citizens!

Tell the CCP to go pound sand.

21 ( +23 / -2 )

People like the ability to choose their leaders.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Taiwan is a beacon of democracy. Good luck to all peace loving Taiwanese people. Be brave and not be intimated by the CCP who are nothing but a big bully. Stand up united and vote for democracy.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

All the very best to the anti-Communist DPP and hopeful President Lai. They have been doing a brilliant job so far - keep the momentum up.

Taiwan, her freedoms, democracy and very existence will possibly be critically damaged If the pro-Communists Kuomintang or ex Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je are victorious. We know exactly how the Hong Kong tragedy under Communist China is unfolding.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

Good luck, people of Taiwan. Here's hoping that the country continues to repel the CCP's brutal authoritarian machine, in spite of all its threats and election interference.

Taiwan's foreign minister Joseph Wu put it best: "Frankly, Beijing should stop messing with other countries' elections & hold their own."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67949003

14 ( +17 / -3 )

HopeSpringsEternalToday 06:15 pm JST

Taiwan taking up arms is like 6-year-old taking on an NFL linebacker.

Yes, an NFL linebacker attacking a 6-year-old would be completely wrong. As China attacking Taiwan would.

Thanks for the analogy demonstrating Xi's needless aggression.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Philippines used to be a territory of the US, similar to Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Marianas today. Pretty sure that doesn't mean we can put forward some historical claim to ownership.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

The fear that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), if successful, could declare or enact formal independence, is driving the government of China to risk a global conflict never experienced outside of the catastrophe movies many gorge on bucket of popcorn and chomp on takeaways/hotdogs.

This is for real, Hong Kong fleeting taste of freedom is proof that the government of China one country two system is a shameless masquerade, a gross brutal fakery, a false fantasy to be crushed under the heel of the dictator jackboot.

The People of Taiwan must not be betrayed, the region must stand firm, together support Taiwan democratic right to choose.

Fight, if necessary.

Every democratic country globally must stand beside the region, Taiwan, and state unequivocally so.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

JohnToday  01:46 pm JST

Go Taiwanese citizens!

Tell the CCP to go pound sand.

I confess that I'm not an expert on Oriental history by any means but given Taiwan's history and the sad sick legacy that Mao and the CCP have on China itself, I seriously doubt very many Taiwanese want to be reunited with them.

And the CCP has absolutely no right, no business whatsoever to say or even think a doggone thing about this election because Taiwan is Taiwan, not a part of China.

Got that, Xi - you jerk?

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Tribal and provincial is depressing but it's the way of the world as well. You must be a dreamer, Taiwan taking up arms is like 6-year-old taking on an NFL linebacker.

I am a dreamer. For better times and peace among all humanity. But as long as there are those wanting to control others, deny freedom for others and invade others, the world could use some of those dreams of a better world.

Taiwan is voting in free and fair elections with a peaceful hand over of power if the incumbent loses. As it should be everywhere. As it should be in China.

China has a long way to go to reach a civilized point in its existence. It can learn much from Taiwan.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I hope DPP wins!

7 ( +8 / -1 )

deanzaZZRToday 06:49 pm JST

lol. ROC China was so incompetent and corrupt even with the backing of the US financially and militarily for years that they were booted off The Mainland. I love Taiwan and Taiwanese people but their military history is embarrassing.

Calling others corrupt, when you yourself are orders of magnitude more corrupt than those you accuse, is a bit rich but it is a signature move of China and Russia.

The ROC military history is one of defense of China and is much prouder and more successful than PRC's military. It is today dwarfed by the CCP military machine, but it maintains its integrity and pride which are missing in today's Chinese military.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

That others were corrupt does not cancel the KMT’s corruption. They were corrupt. They were so corrupt that the US pulled the plug on them.

KMT "may have been" corrupt. Were being the operative term.

China and Russia are corrupt. Are being the operative word.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Nothing but support for the Taiwanese people. They should vote their beliefs and conscience. Fair voting is all we want. Nothing more and nothing less.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

deanzaZZRToday 06:52 pm JST

Civil wars can get messy. Deal with it.

One nation attacking/threatening to attack another, which has done it no wrong and poses absolutely no threat, is wrong.

Deal with it.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Seems the DPP won for the 3rd time.

“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy. The Republic of China, Taiwan will continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world,” Lai said.

Brings a smile to my face.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Congratulations to the Democratic Progressive Party!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

And that, my friends, is why Taiwanese are a braver lot than those who kow tow to the chiNazis.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Congratulations to Mr Lai and all who voted for him. Don’t falter now, this is a crucial moment.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Sounds like Taiwan told Xi to bugger off. Congratulation to Mr. Lai, the DPP, and Taiwan!!!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Brings a smile to my face.

Agreed. China, like Russia, is such a miserable and undesirable place to live that invading their more appealing neighbour is easier than improving their own lot.

Seems that some here who live in democratic nations are quite eager to see that the people of Taiwan and Ukraine should be compelled to live in nations that aren't.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

deanzaZZRJan. 13 06:52 pm JST

Civil wars can get messy. Deal with it. Or negotiate a peaceful settlement.

Yes, an NFL linebacker attacking a 6-year-old would be completely wrong.

Or have good allies that can knock your bully on his assets for you.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

quercetumJan. 13 09:37 pm JST

The winner won’t have a majority. The U.S. opposes changes to the status quo. Life goes on.

Weren't one of those gibbering about unification being inevitiable? Well it's not inevitable for the next four years and the four years after that ain't looking too good either.

That others were corrupt does not cancel the KMT’s corruption. They were corrupt. They were so corrupt that the US pulled the plug on them.

Communists infect the very roots of society. It's surprising the ROC was as effective as it was in the face of treason at it's lowest levels. Thankfully they purged all of that now.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Posted about the DPP's victory on my on Facebook page. Doubt I will ever be allowed back in the country again after that. Small price to pay for freedom. All lovers of China and democracy must unite.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Where's the sarcasm font?

The ROC military history is one of defense of China and is much prouder and more successful than PRC's military.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Calling others corrupt, when you yourself are orders of magnitude more corrupt than those you accuse, is a bit rich but it is a signature move of China and Russia.

That others were corrupt does not cancel the KMT’s corruption. They were corrupt. They were so corrupt that the US pulled the plug on them.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

The winner won’t have a majority. The U.S. opposes changes to the status quo. Life goes on.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

The world is a small sphere and everyone is a neighbor these days. That is the truth of it. Lose the tribal, provincial attitudes and get with modern times. They are actively looking at colonizing the moon and mars these days, not at sailing around the globe to find the edge of the world.

Good one Peter! Turns out it's not either or however, the neighborhood will always be relevant, even on Mars, just a different sort of relevance and attitude.

Tribal and provincial is depressing but it's the way of the world as well. You must be a dreamer, Taiwan taking up arms is like 6-year-old taking on an NFL linebacker.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

Civil wars can get messy. Deal with it. Or negotiate a peaceful settlement.

Yes, an NFL linebacker attacking a 6-year-old would be completely wrong.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

lol. ROC China was so incompetent and corrupt even with the backing of the US financially and militarily for years that they were booted off The Mainland. I love Taiwan and Taiwanese people but their military history is embarrassing.

Taiwan is the only country that can stand in the front line and fight the commies for so many years.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

And speaking in Mandarin most likely in a Taiwanese speaking part of Taiwan as his family is 外省. The KMT's Hou somewhat ironically is 本省人.

Speaking to reporters in the southern city of Tainan before voting, Lai encouraged people to cast their ballots.

-16 ( +1 / -17 )

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