And polls have closed for Taiwanese presidential and parliamentary elections.
Vote counting is underway and the outcome is expected later
this evening.
The much high stick elections are being closely watched as
China steps up its rhetoric over the self ruled Ireland.
Polls open at 8:00 AM local time at nearly
18,000 locations and close at 4:00 PM local time.
In these pivotal polls, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party,
also known as DPP, is seeking a third term.
They have filled it Vice President like Chengde as their
candidate
and early trends are showing.
The ruling party contested leading by narrow margin.
But his main opposition, who you?
He from the KMT party,
is not far behind. Remember,
he has been campaigning for establishing ties with China and
is widely viewed as a pro China contender.
Meanwhile, Co NJ from the Taiwan Peoples Party is a
new entrant in the race.
His support base comes from young voters for its focus
on domestic issues.
But he also wants to reengage China but insist that
cannot come at the expense of protecting Taiwanese democracy and
the way of life.
The islands newly elected president will decide whether Taiwan sees
a sovereign future.
The polls also shape future ties between Beijing and Washington
DC
Well, the concern does not just end here.
Taiwan supplies over half the worlds semiconductor chips.
A conflict in the area could disrupt global trade and
drive up prices
and the counting is under way in Taiwan.
Election results will be announced
today. Evening itself and the high stakes election are being
closely watched.
President Sangwen could not run for the polls as she
is over with her two terms.
The polls open at 8:00 AM local time at nearly
18,000 locations and here we can see that
incumbent presence Sangwen was one of the early voters during
the elections in Taiwan.
Today we can see her casting her vote
in Taipei just a few hours ago
and the early trends are out in these pivotal elections.
The ruling party Sanguines Party DPP
is seeking a third term and they contestant Li Chengte
is leading the trends by narrow margin,
while on the other hand KMT contestant Hoyo J is
behind Li Chengte
in the polls today.
Now as vote counting continues,
TVBS correspondent Jamie Lynn has sent us this report from
Taipei.
Take a look.
The polls in Taiwan closed at 4:00 PM local time
and the process of ballot counting is underway.
I'm currently stationed outside the presidential office and we will
hear the announcement of the newly elected president in just
a few hours.
This year's voter turn out is expected to rival that
of the 2020 general elections.
With sunny weather all day and a widespread understanding of
the elections critical importance,
there's palpable excitement in the air
at the election headquarters of the three candidates.
Anticipation is mounting, too. Supporters have convened at the various
campaign offices,
eagerly awaiting the results of the presidential and legislative elections.
Election results are expected later tonight.
Although high voter turnout at some polling stations in city
centers could cause delays in voting and vote counting,
President Ty will remain in power until May 20th,
irrespective of tonight's outcome. Thus,
the new President will have a waiting period of four
months before officially taking office.
On another note, the new legislature is poised to start
its session in the legislative UN on February 1st,
meaning that President Thai could be dealing with the legislature
dominated by the opposition for the next few months.
Once the new President is announced,
all focus will turn to China's potential reaction.
No major moves are expected tonight.
However, any response, including a statement or perceived increase in
military activity will be a crucial indicator of the evolving
dynamics in Taiwan,
China relations for the next four years.
And for more on this joining us live on the
show,
we have with us Yasuhire Nakayama,
former Japanese state minister of defense and state minister of
Foreign Affairs.
He's also the coordinator of the Global Alliance for Digital
Governance in Japan and Taiwan.
And he's joining us live from Tokyo.
Thank you so much for taking our time being here
with us.
Minister Nakayama.
Hello, Good evening from Japan.
Thank you very much for inviting for the program.
Pleasures all yours, Mr. Nakayama.
The polls in Taiwan have closed and the counting has
begun.
Help us understand how the election results today in Taiwan.
How will that have an impact on the global and
regional dynamics in the Asia Pacific region?
Yes, from China, the COVID-19 pandemics spread and rapidly around
the world.
After the pandemic began to subside,
Russia launched an invasion war against Ukraine,
which is still ongoing, as everyone knows.
Next, Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by
the United States government and under financial sanctions by the
Japanese government,
launched a
terrorist attack against Israel. This led to A
to a chain of relations
with
resulting in the loss of many lines
in Yemen. A group known as the
Hussi's side ships released related
to Japan and caused incidents
that could affect the global supply chain network.
In response, the United States and the United Kingdom bombed
Hussi's
strongholds the day before yesterday.
Now, as you can see,
many feel that the so-called flashpoints won't be discussed even
before the pandemic
increasingly begin. In in in TIB.
In March
2021, United States in the Pacific Command Admiral Davidson testified
in Congress
that the risk in the Taiwan Strait would increase within
the next six years by
2027. In October 2021, United States Secretary of State Lincoln
indicated that the time frame Davidson mentioned might be moved
up,
suggesting an early increase in risks in the Taiwan state.
The Bashi Channel near Taiwan is also crucial for Japan.
It must remain free as
90% of the oil and the 60%
of the natural gas used by Japan
passed through these straits. Additionally,
the Chinese Communist Party has been changing the status quo
by force in the South China Sea since around
2010, militarizing
artificial islands and also created by destroying the natural environment
and the coral reefs and
filling them with concrete. The longest of these islands has
a runway of
3750 meters and the facilities for controlling satellites from the
ground.
Such actions, possibly, possibly violating international rule,
must be
monitored by the world to ensure that seeds remain free
for navigation and economic
prosperity. We must understand the true value of freedom and
ensure security,
right, Mr. Nakayama? Yes, Minister Nakayama,
you've clearly outlined the consequences of
Taiwan's poll on Japan and the Taiwan Strait
as such, which also has one of those largest global
shipping routes.
Mr. Nakama, you also served as Japan State Minister of
Defense.
Given Taiwan strategic location that you've clearly outlined in your
answer,
what are the stakes in terms of security in the
region?
Yes, Taiwans geopolitical significance is enormous for security reasons.
Currently, as China strengthen its military,
it cannot deploy naval forces in the Pacific without crossing
the fast I can change,
which includes the Japanese
Archie Pelago, Okinawa and Taiwan.
If the People's Liberation Army of the Chinese Communist Party
were to control Taiwan and
ultimately Okinawa, it would easily and quickly project its naval
power into the Pacific Ocean.
Therefore, maintaining the security of this region is crucial,
especially if a military conf confrontation between the United States
and China where were to occur there,
right? Minister Nakayama, thanks very much for taking our time
and joining us here on view on.
Thank you very much.