News

Beijing will find it hard to ignore Taiwan’s high profile election

Published

1 year ago

January 14, 2024

Ahron Young, Reuters

Taiwan’s voters rebuff China and give ruling party third presidential term.

It’s the election the western world is talking about, and China is politely trying to ignore.

Taiwan’s election is a blow to Beijing’s reunification hopes

But as Taiwanese voters swept the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te into power on Saturday, it will be nearly impossible for Beijing to ignore the message.

Taiwan just held their election.

They require you to bring photo ID and a notice to prove you are at the correct voting station.

They then use paper ballots and count the votes of each station one by one, in public view. There are no mail ballots. It’s all done in a few hours. pic.twitter.com/3hGkCqpBCk

— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) January 13, 2024

The Taiwanese strongly rejected Chinese pressure to spurn him, as China said it would not give up on achieving “reunification”.

Third successive win

Lai’s party, which champions Taiwan’s separate identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, was seeking a third successive four year term, unprecedented under Taiwan’s current electoral system.

However, in a measure of public frustration at domestic issues like the high cost of housing and stagnating wages after eight years in power, the DPP lost its majority in parliament, making Lai’s job harder in passing legislation.

Lai also only won 40% of the vote in Taiwan’s first-past-the-post system, unlike current President Tsai Ing-wen who was re-elected by a landslide four years ago with more than 50% of the vote.

“We’ve written a new page for Taiwan’s history of democracy,”

Lai said he would maintain the status quo in relations across the Taiwan Strait, but that he was “determined to safeguard Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China”.

At the same time, he emphasised the need for cooperation and dialogue with Beijing on an equal basis to “replace confrontation”, though he didn’t give specifics.

Earlier today, DPP candidate William Lai Ching-te won Taiwan’s pres. election with 40.2% of the vote.

Lai is known as Beijing’s nemesis, and according to Reuters, he is “determined to safeguard Taiwan from threats & intimidation from China.”

Stay tuned.pic.twitter.com/iQyY8l1lvs

— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) January 13, 2024

‘Extreme harm’

In the run-up to the election, China denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist, and called on the people of Taiwan to make the right choice while noting the “extreme harm of the DPP’s ‘Taiwan independence’ line”.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office struck a gentler tone in its response to Lai’s election and did not mention him by name, saying that the results reveal that the DPP “cannot represent the mainstream public opinion” on Taiwan.

“Our stance on resolving the Taiwan question and realising national reunification remains consistent, and our determination is as firm as rock,” it said.

However, it added China will work with “relevant political parties, groups and people” from Taiwan to boost exchanges and cooperation, and “advance the peaceful development of cross-strait relations as well as the cause of national reunification”.

Taiwan’s election took place at a time of growing geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington.

News

Trump-Putin call fails to achieve Ukraine cease-fire

Trump and Putin’s call yielded no cease-fire agreement on Ukraine, with both sides urged to continue negotiations.

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump and Putin’s call yielded no cease-fire agreement on Ukraine, with both sides urged to continue negotiations.

In Short:
Trump and Putin discussed Ukraine’s conflict for two hours, but Putin refused a cease-fire, complicating U.S. mediation efforts. Despite Zelensky urging Trump for tougher sanctions and commitment, progress in negotiations remains limited.

President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a two-hour phone call on Monday regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Putin declined to agree to an immediate cease-fire, despite pressure from Ukraine and European leaders for the U.S. to remain involved in negotiations.

After the call, Trump suggested that the U.S. might reconsider its role in the peace process, emphasising that a deal must be reached directly between Moscow and Kyiv.

Putin’s refusal to accept a proposed 30-day cease-fire presents ongoing challenges to Trump’s attempts to mediate. Trump expressed hope for productive discussions but did not publicly advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia.

Firm commitment

Ukrainian President Zelensky briefed Trump prior to the call, urging him to secure a firm commitment from Putin. Following the discussion, Zelensky reiterated the need for increased sanctions and continued U.S. involvement to ensure that the situation does not favour Russia.

Putin indicated a willingness to work on a memorandum outlining terms for a potential peace agreement but reiterated demands for significant concessions from Ukraine, including military reductions and NATO policies.

Trump stated that both parties would initiate negotiations aimed at establishing a cease-fire and ending the war. Despite a recent meeting between mid-level officials from both countries, progress remains limited.

News

Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer

Joe Biden, 82, diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, confirmed by his team after health scrutiny led to his presidential race withdrawal.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Ahron Young

Joe Biden, 82, diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, confirmed by his team after health scrutiny led to his presidential race withdrawal.

Joe Biden diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. The 82-year-old former U.S. President is now battling cancer that has spread to his bones. Following a medical evaluation, Biden’s team confirmed the high-grade, hormone-sensitive cancer.

This comes after a year of mounting scrutiny over his health, ultimately leading him to withdraw from the presidential race.

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News

Trump to discuss cease-fire with Putin amid tensions

Trump to speak with Putin after failed peace talks in Istanbul, highlighting Russia’s resistance to cease-fire demands.

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump to speak with Putin after failed peace talks in Istanbul, highlighting Russia’s resistance to cease-fire demands.

In Short:
Peace in Ukraine is still uncertain as Russia shows little interest in serious negotiations, intensifying military actions instead. President Trump plans to call Putin to mediate, while European leaders rally support for Ukraine and push for stronger sanctions against Russia.

Peace in Ukraine remains elusive as recent talks in Istanbul revealed Russia’s reluctance to engage in a meaningful deal. President Trump plans a phone call with Putin on Monday, following discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky and NATO leaders. These conversations come after Ukraine’s leaders showcased their willingness to negotiate, while European allies advised Zelensky on his engagement with Trump.

Putin’s absence from the talks and the choice of low-level representatives suggested a lack of serious intent to negotiate, particularly after rejecting Trump’s cease-fire proposal. As negotiations stalled, Russian military actions intensified, including a drone attack that killed nine civilians in Ukraine.

Putin’s demands for territorial concessions and military restrictions on Ukraine persisted, framing any cease-fire as advantageous only to Ukrainian forces. However, intelligence reports indicate Russia is regrouping for a potential renewed offensive.

European leaders united to support Ukraine, bolstered by a new German leadership willing to impose stricter sanctions on Russia. Their coordinated efforts aimed to showcase Putin’s refusal to engage, putting pressure on Trump to act.

Ultimately, the future of peace talks hinges on Putin’s response to Trump’s mediation efforts and the increasing pressure from European nations advocating for a firmer stance against Russian aggression, especially regarding energy exports. As diplomatic tensions rise, the international community watches closely.