Taiwan votes in presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday, which will set the course for the democratic island’s ties with its giant and autocratic neighbor China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.
There are three presidential formulas, namely, the formula of the official Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) composed of President Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te; the formula composed by the mayor of Kaohsiung Han Kuo-yu and Chang San-cheng of the main opposition party Kuomintang (KMT); and the First People Party (PPP) formula formed by James Soong and Sandra Yu.
Taiwan’s parliament passed an anti-infiltration law on Tuesday to combat perceived threats from China as the democratic island gears up for a presidential vote on Jan. 11 amid heightened tension with Beijing.
Contest is in effect a referendum on the future of the self-governed island’s relationship with China
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urged parliament on Wednesday to have more discussion on a proposed anti-infiltration bill which the government says is needed to combat Chinese influence and has been condemned by the main opposition and Beijing.
China’s defense ministry warned on Wednesday that it was ready for war if there was a move toward Taiwan’s independence, accusing the United States of undermining global stability and denouncing its arms sales to the self-ruled island.
China says will cut ties with US firms selling arms to Taiwan
US companies vulnerable to sanctions include tank engine maker Honeywell and private jets maker Gulfstream.
Officials in Taiwan have passed a law allowing same-sex marriage in a first for an Asian country.
