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Elections in Taiwan: the Chinese threat at the heart of the debates
Elections in Taiwan: the Chinese threat at the heart of the debates – (FRANCEINFO)
In Taiwan, where the presidential and legislative elections will be held on Saturday January 13, the war for influence is raging. China, which considers the archipelago to be part of its territory, is on everyone’s minds.
Saturday January 13, nearly 20 million Taiwanese voters will choose a president and deputies. The imposing Chinese neighbor is more than ever at the heart of the debates between the three candidates. There are those who advocate dialogue or rapprochement, and there is also William Lai, described Thursday as dangerous and labeled a separatist by Beijing. China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Local elected officials under investigation
The archipelago lives under the threat of invasion, but there is also, during electoral periods, the war for influence. Local elected officials are under police investigation, accused of having gone to China at the invitation of the Communist Party, all expenses paid, to receive voting instructions. Furthermore, a mobile application exists to check the numerous false information and rumors on social networks. Could China be behind these disinformation campaigns mainly targeting William Lai, the candidate it abhors? The Taiwanese authorities think so, Beijing denies it.
