Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russia calls for the continuation of ceasefire between "Israel" and Iran without any breaks: Lavrov
The Israeli military command confirmed the death of an officer—a commander serving as a team leader in the elite 1st Golani Brigade’s Patrol Battalion—during intense confrontations in the southern Gaza Strip
Israeli media: An Israeli guard was killed in a shooting attack at the Gush Etzion Junction, and those who carried out the operation were injured
Ofer Military Court extended Nasser al-Lahham's detention for three days
Israeli media platform says a reserve soldier was found killed in Har Homa in al-Quds
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli drone strikes a vehicle in the town of al-Mansouri with two missiles
Yemeni Armed Forces: We are working to expand our military support operations and continue the naval blockade until the aggression on Gaza ends
Yemeni Armed Forces: We carried out a top-tier military operation targeting Llydd Airport with a Thulfiqar missile, which successfully achieved its goal
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 16 Palestinians, including 10 children, were martyred in an Israeli bombardment near the al-Zawari junction in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip
US State Department sanctions UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese.

Taiwan votes in key election, China eying results

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Jan 2024 06:59
3 Min Read

As well as a president, voters will also elect lawmakers to Taiwan's 113-seat legislature.

  • x
  • Taiwan
    Taiwan's Vice President and presidential candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lai Ching-te cast his ballot as he votes in the presidential election at a polling station in a high school in Tainan on January 13, 2024. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)

Millions of Taiwanese headed to the polls Saturday for a presidential election, with China eying the results that could determine of the new nature of relations between the two sides.

Beijing slammed frontrunner Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the current vice president, as a dangerous "separatist" in the days leading up to the poll, calling on voters to make "the correct choice" if they want to avoid military conflict.

China claims Taiwan as its own and says it will not rule out using force to bring about "unification". Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent New Year's address said the "unification" of Taiwan with China was "inevitable".

Voting began at 8:00 am (0000 GMT) at the nearly 18,000 polling stations across the island, with almost 20 million people eligible to cast ballots. Turnout at the last election in 2020 was almost 75%, but analysts predict a lower number this time.

Results are expected Saturday evening, with the outcome watched closely from Beijing to Washington -- the island's main military partner.

Lai’s main opponent Hou Yu-ih, of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), favours warmer ties with China and accuses the DPP of antagonising Beijing with its stance that Taiwan is "already independent".

Related News

Trump threatens to bomb Moscow, Beijing in leaked audio: CNN

Taiwan condemns China’s new air route over strait, warns of escalation

Hou's KMT has said it will boost economic prosperity, while maintaining strong relationships with international partners, including the United States.

The race has also seen the rise of the populist Taiwan People's Party (TPP). The KMT and TPP tried to strike a deal to join forces against the DPP, but the partnership collapsed over who would lead the presidential ticket.

All three parties held final rallies on Friday night in front of crowds of hundreds of thousands.

As well as a president, voters will also elect lawmakers to Taiwan's 113-seat legislature.

Taiwan bans the publishing of polls within 10 days of elections, but political observers say the 64-year-old Lai is expected to win the top seat, though his party is likely to lose its parliamentary majority.

Hours before the vote, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met a senior Chinese official in Washington and stressed the importance of "maintaining peace and stability" across the Taiwan Strait.

Read more: China warns US against fueling separatist notions in Taiwan

  • Taiwan
  • Lai Ching-te
  • Taipei
  • China

Most Read

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' peace deal

Syria demands 1/3 of Golan, Lebanese areas for 'Israel' normalization

  • MENA
  • 4 Jul 2025
Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam hits IOF groupings in Khan Younis; ‘tough incident’ reported

3 Israeli soldiers killed by Resistance gunfire in south, north Gaza

  • Palestine
  • 4 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, center, attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' attempted to assassinate Pezeshkian during war: Exclusive

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran open to US nuclear talks but demands guarantees, says Araghchi

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in northern of Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, July 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Politics

Ceasefire stalls as 'Israel' demands control over one-third of Gaza

Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Obeida during a public address, March 6, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)
Politics

Al-Qassam vows ongoing Resistance in response to Al-Aqsa aggression

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS