2012 Presidential Election
Google’s
2012 Presidential Election Website (in Chinese)
Taiwan 2012 Blog (School of Politics
and International Relations, University
of Nottingham)
2012 Presidential Election:
How the Nation Voted
(Taipei Times, Jan. 15, 2012) While President Ma
Ying-jeou won the presidential race with a margin
of 797,561 votes, the overall political divide remained relatively unchanged,
with the pan-green camp maintaining its traditional strongholds in Yilan
County and the south.
2012 Legislative Election:
KMT Maintains Majority
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 15, 2012) The KMT will return with 17 fewer seats in the new
legislature, while the DPP gained 13 seats and the PFP and TSU each gained
three seats.
2012 Legislative Election Results
[ News ] [
Papers ]
Polls
Taiwan’s Ma Leads Chief
Rival Tsai in Final Opinion Polls
(Bloomberg, Jan. 3, 2012) Taiwan’s President Ma Ying-jeou maintained a lead over rival Tsai Ing-wen in the last opinion polls permitted before
presidential and legislative elections.
Poll Shows Turnout Is Key
(Taipei Times, Jan. 2, 2012) When Taiwan Thinktank factored in the motivation of voters, its
results showed that a higher turnout decreased Tsai Ing-wen’s
chances of winning.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Dec. 27, 2011) Were respondents to vote
tomorrow, 44% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket,
38% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 6% for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket. Meanwhile, 12% of the respondents
remained undecided.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(China
Times, Dec. 27, 2011) Were respondents to vote tomorrow, 41.6% would vote for
KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket, 36.8% for DPP’s
Tsai-Su ticket, and 6.8% for PFP’s Soong-Lin
ticket. Meanwhile, 14.8% of the respondents declined to answer.
Predictions Diverge on
Tsai’s Chances
(Taipei
Times, Dec. 27, 2011) An electronic exchange at National Chengchi
University’s Center for Prediction Markets showed that DPP’s
Tsai Ing-wen led President Ma Ying-jeou by 7.4 percentage point, while a survey by Taiwan Thinktank showed Tsai trailed by 0.4 percentage point.
Tsai’s Share of Voter
Preferences Passes 50%: Online Platform
(Taipei Times, Dec. 18, 2011) DPP presidential
candidate Tsai Ing-wen holds a lead over President
Ma Ying-jeou in terms of share of the vote and the
possibility of winning the election, according to xfuture.org, a Web site
with a platform similar to the stock market that allows users to predict the
results of future events.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(China Times, Dec. 15, 2011) If respondents were
to vote tomorrow, 40% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu
ticket, 39% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 8% for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Dec. 14, 2011) If respondents were to vote
tomorrow, 40% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket,
38% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 7% for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket.
What to Make of the
Presidential Polls? By Jonathan Sullivan
(Ballots & Bullets, Dec. 7, 2011) As anyone who
knows a bit about Taiwanese politics will tell you, media polls should be
taken with a pinch of salt.
Latest Poll Gives Ma
8-percent Lead Over Tsai
(CNA, Dec. 3, 2011) The results suggest that Ma
would garner 34 percent of the vote, Tsai 26 percent and PFP Chair James
Soong 10 percent, said Peter Gries, director of
University of Oklahoma's Institute for U.S.-China Issues that conducted the
survey.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Dec. 2, 2011) If respondents were to vote
tomorrow, 40% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket,
34% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 7% for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(UDN, Nov. 29, 2011) If respondents were to vote
tomorrow, 41% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket,
35% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 10% for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(Now News, Nov. 24, 2011) If respondents were to
vote tomorrow, 39% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu
ticket, 35.8% for DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 9.9%
for PFP’s Soong-Lin ticket.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Nov. 16, 2011) In the latest opinion poll,
KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket would garner the same rate of
support as DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket in a three-way
competition.
Election Polls Indicate Ma
Lead Starting to Fall
(Taipei Times, Nov. 14, 2011) In a poll released by the
Chinese-language United Daily News, Ma and his running mate, Premier Wu Den-yih,
had a small lead in voter support over Tsai and her running mate, DPP
-Secretary-General Su Jia-chyuan, at 41 percent
versus 36 percent. Dump/Save Effect on 2012 Presidential Election
Swing Voters Could Make Tsai
President: Latest Poll
(China Post, Nov. 12, 2011) TVBS said that if sway
votes are taken into consideration, Tsai would garner 47.3 percent of the
votes, beating Ma's 45.8 percent.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(Now News, Nov. 8, 2011) If respondents were to
vote tomorrow, 35.0% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu
ticket, 33.2% DPP’s Tsai-Su Ticket, and 13.1%
PFP’s James Soong.
Ma’s Lead on Tsai Surges,
Survey Says
(Taipei Times, Nov. 7, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou holds a 7.3 point lead over DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen, a poll by the Taiwanese Association
for Pacific Ocean Development
showed.
Tsai, Ma’s Chances Almost
Level: Center
(Taipei Times, Nov. 2, 2011) National Chengchi University’s
Prediction Markets Center
said that, as of Monday, Tsai was given a 48.9 percent chance of
victory, while Ma’s chance stood at 48.4 percent.
The Journalist Opinion Poll
on 2012 Presidential Election
(The Journalist, Oct. 14, 2011) If responds were
to vote tomorrow, 36.2% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu
ticket, 28.4%, DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 9.7%, PFP’s James Soong.
Now News Opinion Poll on
2012 Presidential Election
(Now News, Oct. 13, 2011) The support rating for KMT’s Ma Ying-jeou was 37%, for
DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen,
30.5%, and for PFP’s James Soong, 13.3%.
China Times Opinion Poll on
2012 Presidential Election
(China
Times, Oct. 12, 2011) If responds were to vote tomorrow, 38.0% would vote for KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket, 30.6%, DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, and 13.2%, PFP’s James Soong.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(China
Times, Oct. 6, 2011) In a three-way election, the Ma-Wu
ticket would get 38.5% of votes, the Tsai-Su ticket, 35.1%, and James Soong,
12.1%.
Ma Increases Lead against
DPP’s Tsai, Poll Indicates
(Taipei Times, Oct. 3, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou has increased his lead over DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen in the January presidential election both in a
head-to-head battle and a possible three-way race, a survey by the Taiwanese
Association for Pacific Ocean Development showed.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Sep. 28, 2011) In the scenario of a three-way
election, KMT’s Ma-Wu ticket would get 40% of
votes, DPP’s Tsai-Su ticket, 33%, and PFP’s James Soong, 14%.
Survey on the Presidential
Election in 2012 and the Evaluation of the Presidential Candidates (GVSRC, Sep. 23, 2011) In the scenario of a three-candidate
contest, 35.8% of respondents supported the Ma-Wu ticket, 36.0%, the Tsai-Su
ticket, and 10.0%, James Soong.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(China
Times, Sep. 13, 2011) If respondents were to vote tomorrow, 38.8% would vote
for Ma Ying-jeou, 31.5%, Tsai Ing-wen,
and 22.7%, James Soong.
ERA Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(ERA
Survey Research
Center, Sep. 6, 2011)
If respondents were to vote tomorrow, 35.2% would vote for Ma Ying-jeou, 28.6%, Tsai Ing-wen, and
14.3%, James Soong.
Ma Edges Tsai in New TAPOD Poll
(Taipei Times, Sep. 5, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou leads DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen
on perceived ability to promote economic development, protect Taiwan against China and lead the country.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Aug. 30, 2011) If
respondents were to vote tomorrow, 46% would vote for Ma Ying-jeou, while 37%, Tsai Ing-wen.
Survey on Presidential
Election in 2012 and the Evaluation of the Presidential Candidates (GVSRC, Aug. 23, 2011) In a three-candidate
election, the support rates of Ma Ying-jeou, Tsai Ing-wen and James Soong are 35.1%, 33.9%, and 14.0%,
respectively.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Aug. 15, 2011) If
respondents were to vote tomorrow, 46% would vote for Ma Ying-jeou while 39%, Tsai Ing-wen.
UDN Opinion Polls on 2012 Presidential
and Legislative Elections
(UDN, Aug. 15, 2011) In the most
recent poll conducted by the United Daily News five months before the 2012
Presidential election, 44% of the respondents stated that they supported KMT Presidential
candidate Ma Ying-jeou and 36% DPP Presidential
candidate Tsai Ing-wen.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election and Legislative Elections (China
Times, Aug. 5, 2011) 33% of respondents supported Presdient
Ma Ying-jeou, 28.6% Tsai Yin-wen,
and 10.3% James Soong.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(The Journalist, Jul. 28, 2011) 41.6% of the
respondents support President Ma Ying-jeou, 36.3%
support DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen,
and 22.1% are undecided.
TVBS Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Jul. 25, 2011) 45% of the respondents
support President Ma Ying-jeou, while 38% support
DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen.
Survey on Presidential
Election in 2012 and the Candidates’ Stances on Cross-Strait Relations (GVSRC, Jul. 22, 2011) 37.3% of respondents supported President Ma
Ying-jeou in the 2012 presidential competition,
while 37.2% Chairwoman Tsai Ying-wen.
Ma Enjoys Six-point Lead
Over Tsai, ‘UDN’ Poll Says
(Taipei Times, Jul. 16, 2011) With six months to
go until next year’s presidential election, the results of an opinion poll
released by a local daily gave President Ma Ying-jeou
a six-point lead over DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(ERA, Jul. 13, 2011) If the respondents were to
vote tomorrow, 38.6% would vote for Ma Ying-jeou,
33.1% Tsai Ing-wen. Here is another ppinion
polls by TVBS
Opinion Poll on Individual
Mainland Tourists and 2012 Presidential Election (TVBS, Jun. 22, 2011) If
respondents were to vote tomorrow, 44% would vote for Ma Ying-jeou and 39% for Tsai Ing-wen.
In addition, 56% of respondents supported the policy of accepting independent
Mainland tourists. Poll on the 2012 Presidential Election by Apple Daily and ERA
Survey on President Ma
Ying-jeou’s Approval Rating and the Presidential Election in 2012 (GVSRC, Jun. 20, 2011)
34.3 percent of respondents were satisfied with President Ma’s
performance, while 50.8% not; at the
mean time, 41.2% said they would vote for him in the coming presidential
election, while 36.3% for Tsai Ing-wen.
Poll on the 2012
Presidential Election
(GVSRC, May 16, 2011) If respondents were to vote
today, 38.9% of them would vote for Ma Ying-jeou,
while 38.6%, Tsai Ing-wen.
Ma Enjoys Narrow Margin Over
Tsai: Poll
(China Post, May 14, 2011) In a recent poll,
incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou and KMT nominee
for the 2012 presidential election currently landed a marginal lead at 44
percent, to DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen's 38
percent.
Tsai, Ma Running
Neck-to-Neck: Polls
(China Post, Apr. 29, 2011) Polls conducted by
several media groups, including China Times, TVBS, and UDN,
indicated a tie of within 1% difference in the support of Tsai Ing-wen of DPP and Ma Ying-jeou
of KMT except for the Apple Daily survey, which indicated a great lead on
Tsai's part.
Su Leads Tsai in DPP
Primary: Poll
(China Post, Apr. 16, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou is leading his opposition rivals by a narrow margin,
with ex-Premier Su Tseng-chang coming as a slightly
stronger challenger than DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
in the presidential race, results of a poll showed.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election after DPP’s Televised Presidential Presentation (TVBS, Apr. 11, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou
is leading ex-Premier Su Tseng-chang 39% to 35%,
and DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen, 39% to 37%.
Polls Shows Tsai Ahead of Su
after Televised Appearance
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 11, 2011) A poll by the public opinion center at cable news
station TVBS said that Tsai scored 26 percent approval against former premier
Su Tseng-chang’s 21 percent.
New Poll Places DPP’s Su
Ahead of Ma by 2 Percent
(China Post, Apr. 9, 2011) Results of the latest TVBS opinion poll show that 38 percent of the voters would vote for Su, while 36
percent would support Ma in the country's 2012 presidential election.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Mar. 15, 2011) If
the election were to be held tomorrow, the vote shares would be 38% to 39% between Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, and 40% to 40% between
Ma Ying-jeou and Su Tseng-chang.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(UDN, Mar. 11, 2011) If the election were to
be held tomorrow, the vote shares would be 37% to 31%
between Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen,
and 45% to 31% between Ma Ying-jeou and Su Tseng-chang.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Mar. 11, 2011) If the election were to be
held tomorrow, the vote shares would be 41% to 39% between Ma Ying-jeou and Su Tseng-chang, and
43% to 37% between Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen.
Opinion Poll on 2012
Presidential Election
(TVBS, Jan. 25, 2011) If the election was to be held today, Ma Ying-jeou would defeat
Tsai Ing-wen 48% to 37%, and Su Tseng-chang 46% to 38%.
Opinion Poll on a 2012
Presidential Election between Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen (UDN, Nov. 29, 2010) 70% of the voters who supported the Ma-Siew ticket in the 2008 Presidential Election would vote
for President Ma in the 2012 election.
Prediction Market Shows
Boost for Ma Poll Hopes
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 30, 2010) The odds of President Ma Ying-jeou
being re-elected in 2012 rose slightly after the debate with Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen on
a trade pact the administration seeks to sign with Beijing, according to a
university prediction market.
Survey: 2012 Presidential
Election
(United
Daily, Apr. 26, 2010) After the ECFA debate, 38% of respondents said they would support
Ma Ying-jeou in the 2012 Presidential election
while 27% Tsai Ing-wen.
Survey: 2012 Presidential Election
(United Daily News, Mar. 19, 2010) If voted
today, DPP’s Su Tseng-chang
will claim 38% of the ballots against Ma Ying-jeou’s
29%.
DPP Pledges to Improve Ties
with China
(China Post, Feb. 25, 2012) The Democratic
Progressive Party will seek to improve its ties with China, the DPP's
incoming leader said.
Tsai Admits Mishandling
Mainland Issue
(AP, Feb. 24, 2012) “As a party that supports
national sovereignty, we must strengthen our capability of handling the China
question in order to win social trust,” Tsai said. “Party officials and
members can seek a better understanding of China through exchanges.”
Tsai Refuses to Meet AIT
Chief As DPP Reiterates US Bias Claim
(AFP, Jan. 31, 2012) The China-skeptic DPP aired
the protest as its acting chairwoman and losing candidate Tsai Ing-wen declined to meet a visiting senior U.S. official,
citing a scheduling conflict.
DPP Soul-Searching on
Taiwan, ‘1992 Consensus’
(Taipei Times, Jan. 30, 2012) Some within the
party say accepting the ‘1992 consensus’ endorses the KMT’s
stance, while others say it could be used to improve dialogue with Beijing.
DPP Prepares for Crucial
Election Review
(China Post, Jan. 24, 2012) The DPP is preparing
for a crucial meeting for a sweeping review of their defeat in the
presidential election after the Lunar New Year's holiday.
DPP Fails to Reflect on
Loss: Annett Lu
(CNA, Jan. 20, 2012) Former Vice President
Annette Lu criticized the DPP for failing to thoroughly review its losses in
the just concluded presidential and legislative elections.
DPP Should Update
Cross-Strait Policy: Hsu
(China
Post, Jan. 19, 2012) Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) chairman Hsu Hsin-liang urged the party to build Tsai Ing-wen's cross-strait policy into its official platform.
Several Foreign Nations
Welcome Local Election Results As Indicator of Firmly Rooted Democracy (China Post, Jan. 16, 2012) The U.S. State Department and
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated President Ma Ying-jeou on his victory in the presidential election, a
victory the two countries hoped will continue to contribute to cross-Taiwan
Strait and regional stability.
Beijing ‘Notices’ Election
Success for Ma While US Praises Local Democracy (China
Post, Jan. 15, 2012) The United States congratulated Taiwan President Ma
Ying-jeou on Saturday for securing a second
four-year term and praised the island as “one of the great success stories in
Asia.”
Ma’s Re-election Opens New
Chances for Peaceful Cross-Strait Relations (Xinhua, Jan. 15, 2012) The winning of Ma Ying-jeou and Kuomintang in Saturday's elections may open new
chances for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.
2012 Presidential Election:
How the Nation Voted
(Taipei Times, Jan. 15, 2012) While President Ma
Ying-jeou won the presidential race with a margin
of 797,561 votes, the overall political divide remained relatively unchanged,
with the pan-green camp maintaining its traditional strongholds in Yilan
County and the south.
2012 Legislative Election:
KMT Maintains Majority
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 15, 2012) The KMT will return with 17 fewer seats in the new
legislature, while the DPP gained 13 seats and the PFP and TSU each gained
three seats.
2012 Legislative Election Results
Incumbent Ma Re-elected As
Taiwan’s President
(New York Times, Jan. 15, 2012) President Ma
Ying-jeou was re-elected by a comfortable
margin, fending off a fierce challenge from his main rival, Tsai Ing-wen, who criticized his handling of the economy but
also sought to exploit fears among voters that his conciliatory approach
toward China was eroding the island’s sovereignty. Tsai Steps Down As DPP Chair
After Defeat in Presidential Poll
Paal Endorses ‘1992
Consensus’
(Taipei Times, Jan. 13, 2012) Douglas Paal, a former director of AIT, strongly endorsed the
so-called “1992 consensus” advocated by President Ma Ying-jeou,
while saying DePP
presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s proposed
“Taiwan consensus” was vague.
Taiwan Presidential
Candidates Make Final Push Ahead of Closely Fought Vote Saturday (AP, Jan. 13, 2012) Candidates in Taiwan’s closely fought
presidential election appealed for last-minute support Friday, with President
Ma Ying-jeou offering his vision of better
relations with China, and his main challenger attempting to galvanize
resentment over growing income inequality.
Business Leaders Come Out in
Support of Ma
(China Post, Jan. 12, 2012) A group of business
leaders from Taiwan's electronics industry pledged support for the “1992
Consensus” — an indirect way to rally behind President Ma Ying-jeou's re-election campaign.
Tsai Says a Coalition Is Possible
(Taipei Times, Jan. 10, 2012) The DPP
presidential candidate said that her vision of a grand coalition included
dialogue and cooperation between all parties in the legislature.
DPP Tsai Ing-wen, KMT Ma Ying-jeou, and PFP James Soong’s Election Platforms (Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2012) Taipei Times summarizes the three
presidential candidates’ election platforms.
Tsai Planning Grand
Coalition to End Divisions
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 8, 2012) DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s
proposal to form a coalition government if elected has sparked debate as the
DPP said such a move would be Tsai’s solution to help end the nation’s
political divide.
US Shows Ma Preference:
Experts
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 8, 2012) The release of the briefing provided by the AIT to the
nation’s security-related officials on the latest US Defense Strategic
Guidance was another sign of US preference in the coming presidential
election, experts on US-Taiwan relations said.
Ma Vows Future for Youth,
Tsai Stresses Gender
(China
Post, Jan. 7, 2012) President Ma Ying-jeou promised
to provide a bright future for all young people and children in a secure
environment while Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen of the
DPP stressed her unique role as a possible female president who can best
bring forth peace and stability.
Big Business Tries to Sway
Increasingly Tense Taiwan Election
(Sydney Morning Herald, Jan. 5, 2012) The idea is
that with skin in the game, Taiwanese with business interests in China
will vote for the safe option and keep the status quo.
‘1992 Consensus’ Vital to
Taiwan’s Economy: Chang
(China Post, Jan. 4, 2012) With Election Day
drawing near, business tycoon Chang Yung-fa
publicized his leanings for the first time: He is pulling for no particular
candidate, but strongly supports the “1992 Consensus.”
Candidates Cross Swords
(Taipei
Times, Dec. 31, 2011) The three presidential candidates crossed swords on
issues ranging from cross-strait policy, the economy and administrative
competency in the second of three televised platform presentation forums.
Young Voters a Key
Electorate in Close Election
(CNA, Dec. 31, 2011) Young Taiwanese are playing
a greater role in the presidential campaign for the Jan. 14 election than in
previous polls, while both the main political parties try to win the youth vote.
Bilateral Relations to
Advance, Not Regress: Tsai
(China Post, Dec. 30, 2011) On
the campaign trail in Kinmen County, DPP
presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen vowed that
cross-strait relations will not stagnate, not regress, but only advance at
the spurs of her administration's “Taiwan Consensus.”
China Says Taiwan’s
Opposition a Threat to Peace
(Reuters, Dec. 28, 2011) China warned Taiwan’s
pro-independence DPP that its stance on relations with Beijing could threaten
a hard-won state of peaceful coexistence, as the island’s closed watched
elections draw near.
Ma Clashes with Tsai on
National Identity, Democracy
(China
Post, Dec. 25, 2011) Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen clashed again on a variety of issues, with Ma
accusing Tsai of non-compliance with the Constitution, while Tsai countered
by lamenting the diminishment of Taiwan democracy under Ma's administration.
Candidates Outline Campaign
Policies
(China Post, Dec. 24, 2011) The three
presidential candidates in the election set for next month outlined their
major policies and stances in the first of three televised campaign platform
presentations, with the focus on national positions, relations across the
Taiwan Strait, foreign affairs and economic development.
China Dangles More
Incentives Ahead of Taiwan Election
(Reuters, Dec. 14, 2011) China dangled the
prospect of more trade and economic incentives for Taiwan ahead of elections
there next month, but warned the pro-independence opposition closer ties
would be at risk if it did not change its stance.
Chinese Netizens Praises
Democracy
(Taipei Times, Dec. 12, 2011) A US analyst said that some Chinese Internet
users want Taiwan ‘to stay
Chinese’ because it offers an example for China’s democratic future.
Microbloggers in Mainland
Praise Presidential Debate
(CNA, Dec. 5, 2011) A Chinese netizen
said Sunday on his microblog that a rare sense of
pride for Chinese people arose after watching Taiwan's televised presidential
debate a day earlier.
Candidates Outline Visions
for Taiwan
(Taipei
Times, Dec. 4, 2011) The three presidential contenders faced off in a televised
debate, crossing swords on issues ranging from cross-strait policy, the
economy and social justice to matters of livelihood and national development.
Tsai Stance Sparks Internet
Discussions in China
(China Post, Dec. 4, 2011) An announcement
by opposition DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen
that if elected, she would set up an ad hoc task force to engage in dialogues
— including political negotiations — with mainland China, has sparked heated
discussions among mainland Chinese netizens.
US Won’t Sell Out Taiwan to
China: Ma
(China Post, Nov. 28, 2011) In an interview with
Time magazine, President Ma Ying-jeou dismissed the
recent New York Times op-ed proposal for the U.S. “ditch Taiwan” in exchange
for debt-relieving favors from China, stressing that it was “not mainstream
opinion.” TIME Meets Taiwan Presidential Hopefuls Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen
Candidates Talk Cross-Strait
Politics
(China Post, Nov. 27, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou has dismissed claims about Beijing rallying behind
his re-election bid, while DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen has said she remains “open-minded” to the
possibility of her visiting China. James Soong of the PFP expressed open
support for eventual unification of Taiwan and the mainland. BBC Chinese interviews
with Ma Ying-jeou, Tsai Ing-wen, and James Soong
Soong Signs Up for
Presidential Race
(Taipei Times, Nov. 25, 2011) People First Party Chairman
James Soong officially signed up for the Jan. 14 presidential election,
calling on the public to look beyond party lines and vote for him.
Ma Rules Out Meeting with
Chinese Leader If Re-elected
(CNA, Nov. 20, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said he will not meet with the Chinese leader if he
is elected for another four-year term next year.
Ma Unveils His Nuclear
Energy Policy
(Taipei Times, Oct. 4, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou unveiled his new nuclear energy policy, promising
the government would run comprehensive trial operations and meet all safety
requirements before beginning operations at the Fourth Nuclear Plant and that
the 40-year life-span of the three existing nuclear plants would not be
extended.
Tsai, Ma’s Chances Almost
Level: Center
(Taipei Times, Nov. 2, 2011) National Chengchi University’s
Prediction Markets Center
said that, as of Monday, Tsai was given a 48.9 percent chance of
victory, while Ma’s chance stood at 48.4 percent.
Taiwan’s Soong Will Run for
President in Blow to Incumbent Ma
(Bloomberg, Nov. 1, 2011) Taiwan opposition leader James
Soong will join the race for the presidency after gathering enough signatures
to qualify, a bid that may siphon pro-China votes away from incumbent Ma
Ying-jeou.
Ma’s Peace Pact Idea Is a
‘Fake Issue’: James Soong
(Taipei
Times, Oct. 22, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou’s
proposal of a referendum on a possible cross-strait peace accord is a “fake
issue,” People First Party Chairman James Soong said.
Tsai Urges Amendment to
Require Referendum Before Bilateral Talks (China Post, Oct. 22, 2011) DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen yesterday called for an amendment requiring a
referendum before bilateral political negotiations.
Minority Leader Vows to Hold
on If Endorsement Target Met
(CNA, Oct. 21, 2011) PFP Chairman James Soong
reiterated his determination to push on with his 2012 presidential bid,
saying that once he reached his target for endorsements, he would definitely
join the race and run to the end.
Taiwan’s President Says Any
Possible Peace Treaty with China May Need to Go to Public Vote (AP, Oct. 20, 2011) Taiwan’s president said that voters on the
island may need to weigh in on any future peace treaty with China, a
statement that appears to signal a retreat from an earlier declaration on the
treaty idea.
China Warns Taiwan
Opposition Trade Deal at Risk
(Reuters, Oct. 20, 2011) Chinese officials in
charge of dealing with Taiwan
issued a veiled warning to the island's pro-independence opposition that
landmark trade deals signed over the last few years were at risk if they did
not change their stance.
Ma Peace Pact ‘Dangerous’
Step to Reunification: DPP
(China Post, Oct. 19, 2011) DPP presidential candidate
Tsai Ing-wen blasted incumbent President Ma Ying-jeou's idea of signing a peace agreement with China
within the next decade, calling the proposal a “dangerous” endeavor, both
undemocratic and divisive.
Ma Rejects DPP Criticism of
Potential Cross-Strait Accord
(CNA, Oct. 19, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou said that cross-strait peace is an issue that must
be faced and that the signing of a cross-strait peace accord would not
represent negotiating unification with the mainland.
Outgoing Taiwan Pollster
Claims Results of ’12 Election Surveys Ruffled Feathers (AP, Oct. 18, 2011) The imbroglio over last week's closure of the
company's 5 1/2-year-old polling center reflects the challenges local
pollsters face in building credibility and publishing accurate polls in
Taiwan.
Taiwan President Considers
Peace Treaty with China in 10 Years
(Reuters, Oct. 17, 2011) Taiwan may consider a
peace treaty with political rival China in 10 years, but only if the Taiwanese
people agree and there is sufficient trust between the two sides, President
Ma Ying-jeou said.
Tsai Affirms Recognition of
the ROC
(Taipei Times, Oct. 10, 2011) Comments by DPP
Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen that were seen as
affirming her recognition of the Republic of China drew mixed responses from
the government and members of the green camp.
Soong Bid Will Hurt Ma:
Ex-Singapore PM
(China Post, Oct. 9, 2011) James Soong's
participation in Taiwan's
2012 presidential campaign will not yield victory; instead, he will partition
other candidates' votes, especially that of the Kuomintang's Ma Ying-jeou's,
former prime minister of the Republic
of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew
said.
Ma Pledges to Enhance
Cultural, Educational Focus
(China Post, Oct. 7, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou announced goals to expand the National Palace
Museum and to exempt
junior high students from high school entrance exams within the coming ten
years.
Ma Lays Out His Policy
Vision for ‘Golden Decade’
(Taipei
Times, Oct. 4, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou
outlined his policy vision to achieve social justice and a clean government
as part of his goal of a “golden decade” of national development.
Ma Unveils His ‘Golden
10-Year’ Prospects Outline
(Taipei Times, Sep. 30, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou unveiled his “golden 10-year” prospects, pledging to
lead Taiwan
into a peaceful and prosperous decade by revitalizing the economy and seeking
peaceful cross-strait relations, if re-elected.
Soong Chooses NTU Professor
As Running Mate
(Taipei Times,
Sep. 21, 2011) People First Party Chairman James Soong announced that National Taiwan University
professor emeritus Lin Ruey-shiung would be his
running mate in January’s presidential election.
Taiwan Opposition
Presidential Candidate Open to Unification with China (AP, Sep. 18, 2011) Taiwan’s main opposition presidential
candidate has said she is open to the island’s unification with China,
providing the issue wins popular support.
Ma’s Party Seizes on US
Official’s Taiwan Comments
(AP, Sep. 16, 2011) Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou's party moved quickly to take advantage of comments
made by a senior U.S. official casting doubts on his rival's ability to
maintain stable relations between the democratic island and mainland China.
Tsai Vows to Rebuild US Relations
(Taipei Times, Sep. 15, 2011) DPP Chairperson Tsai
Ing-wen has pledged to rebuild confidence and
reinforce the strategic partnership between the DPP and the US.
Taiwan Opposition Candidate,
in US, Promises Moderate China Policy (VOA, Sep. 14, 2011) Taiwan's opposition presidential candidate
is appealing for the United States to sell the island F-16 jets, but said on
a visit to Washington that her party will seek good relations with China if
returned to power.
Su Jia-chyuan Named As
Tsai’s Running Mate for Election
(China Post, Sep. 10, 2011) DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen officially announced her selection of Su Jia-chyuan as her running mate in the 2021 presidential
election, promising that they would “win back Taiwan.”
Soong Vows to Run If Camp
Gets 1 Mil. Signatures
(China
Post, Sep. 2, 2011) PFP Chairman James Soong indicated his interest in
running for president in 2012, but would run as a non-party candidate if he
could, according to his spokesman.
President Ma Challenges
Rival to Clearly Define ‘Taiwan Consensus’ (CNA, Aug. 28, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou
challenged the chairwoman of DPP to clearly explain the "Taiwan
Consensus" she has recently advocated as a basis for holding dialogue
with China.
Chinese Official Offers
Fierce Criticism of Tsai
(China Post, Aug. 27, 2011) DPP presidential
candidate Tsai Ing-wen's denial of the “1992
Consensus” was heavily criticized by Chinese official Wang Yi, who called the
DPP chairwoman “unrealistic” and “irresponsible.”
Tsai Tells Beijing to Find
the ‘Olive Branches’ in Her Platform
(CNA, Aug. 26, 2011) The presidential candidate
of Taiwan's opposition party asked China to look for “many olive branches and
good will” in her recently unveiled platform.
DPP Leader’s Policy
Guidelines Unacceptable
(China Daily, Aug. 24, 2011) Taiwan opposition leader’s
“10-year policy guidelines” are unrealistic and unacceptable, said a Chinese
mainland spokesman.
Tsai Details DPP’s
Cross-Strait Policies
(Taipei Times, Aug. 24, 2011) In a press
conference to publicize her cross-strait policies, the DPP presidential
candidate denied the existence of the so-called “1992 consensus” and said
that if she were elected president, the ECFA signed with China last year
would be reviewed by the legislature and adjusted if necessary.
Ma Promises Land Reform
(China Post, Aug. 25, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou promised land reform aimed at introducing a fairer
government acquisition system and curbing speculative real estate trading.
Tsai Ing-wen Unveils
Judicial Reform Policy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 26, 2011) Democratic
Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen pledged
to launch judicial reforms that would protect human rights and the public
interest if elected in January.
Tsai Unveils DPP Economic
Vision
(Taipei
Times, Aug. 25, 2011) The DPP will formulate its policies on the economy,
banking and technology with a new mindset and new approaches to help the
nation meet the challenges of the next 10 years, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said.
Tsai Ing-wen Unveils
Judicial Reform Policy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 26, 2011) Democratic
Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen pledged
to launch judicial reforms that would protect human rights and the public
interest if elected in January.
Taiwan Opposition’s Tsai
Pledges to Stick to ‘Status Quo’ in China Policy (Bloomberg, Aug. 23, 2011) Taiwan presidential candidate
Tsai Ing-wen pledged her China policies would
reflect the consensus of the island’s voters that the “status quo” should be
sustained if she wins in January elections.
DPP Chief Denies ’92
Consensus,’ Calls for New Mechanism
(CNA, Aug. 23, 2011) Opposition DPP Chairwoman
Tsai Ing-wen, the party's presidential candidate,
reiterated her party's stance Tuesday that the so-called "1992
consensus" does not exist.
Tsai Unveils DPP’s Policy
Guidelines
(China Post, Aug. 23, 2011) DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen officially unveiled her party’s 10-year policy
guidelines, saying they illustrated the contrast between the DPP’s values and those of the Chinese Nationalist Party
(KMT).
Tsai Releases Education Platform
(Taipei Times, Aug. 20, 2011) Democratic
Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ying-jeou
unveiled her education policy, pledging to implement a mandatory 12-year
school program in one fell swoop if she is elected in January’s presidential
election.
Tsai Unveils Public-Oriented
Housing Policy
(Taipei Times, Aug. 19, 2011) A fair property tax
system, public housing, development of rental housing and large-scale urban
regeneration will be the four pillars of the DPP’s
housing policy, the party said.
Tsai Makes Policy Proposals
on Balanced Development
(Taipei Times,
Aug. 18, 2011) Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen proposed decentralizing fiscal and political
power to turn Taiwan
into a multi-core nation with balanced regional development that would
benefit the next generation.
Fiscal Balance a Priority in
the First Unveiling of DPP Policy Guidelines (Taipei Times, Aug. 17, 2011) The Democratic Progressive Party is
ready to turn around the nation’s miserable fiscal situation by cutting the
deficit in half in four years if it regains power in January’s presidential
election, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen said.
Tsai to Announce VP on Aug.
28
(China
Post, Aug. 3, 2011) After months of speculation, Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen will
finally announce her vice presidential running mate on Aug. 28, her campaign
spokesperson confirmed.
Chinese
Delegations' Impact Worries Ma: Report
(China
Post, Jul. 10, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou
has reportedly expressed concerns that the arrival of too many official
delegations from China
in the run-up to the presidential poll may dampen his reelection campaign.
Tsai Unveils Campaign Dream
Team
(China
Post, Jun. 23, 2011) To strongly unite and ready the DPP for the presidential
elections next year, DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen
announced the creation of her campaign dream team, with power players Su
Tseng-chang, Frank Hsieh and Yu Shyi-kun
all assigned to high-level positions.
Ma Takes Slight Lead Over
Tsai in Poll
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 21, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou’s lead
over his main rival, Democratic Progressive Party Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen, ahead of the presidential election next year has
risen slightly, a new Global Views poll shows.
Tsai Reaffirms Willingness
to Hold Talks with Beijing
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 21, 2011) Seeking to assuage apprehensions about the future of
cross-strait relations, DPP Chairperson and presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen reaffirmed her party’s willingness to hold talks
with Beijing.
DPP Urges Multilateral
Framework for Cross-Strait Ties
(CNA,
Jun. 19, 2011) Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said that dealing with China under a multilateral
framework would be in Taiwan's best interest.
Taiwan’s Ma Picks Wu As
Running Mate
(Bloomberg,
Jun. 19, 2011) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou said he’s chosen
Premier Wu Den-yihas his running mate for his
re- election bid in January against the opposition’s Tsai Ing-wen.
DPP to Seek Dialogue with
China: Party Head
(CNA,
Jun. 11, 2011) The chairwoman of Taiwan's opposition DPP said in England that
the party will adopt a more proactive attitude in conducting dialogue with
China but will never accept the “one China” principle.
Geopolitics Rule As KMT, DPP
Eye Poll Flash Points
(China Post, May 29, 2011) Central
Taiwan is definitely one of the key battlefields in the 2012
presidential election, but the two major political parties cannot agree on
the region's strategic importance, observers have noted.
No Growth without Peace: Ma
(China
Post, May 20, 2011) President Ma Ying-jeou
discussed from a “transgenerational justice”
perspective the country's sovereignty, human rights and environmental
protection, at his third inauguration anniversary speech at the National
University of Tainan.
Beijing Reiterates
Importance of ‘1992 Consensus’
(China Post, May 8, 2011) Beijing reiterated that
ties with Taipei must be founded on an anti-Taiwan independence stance and a
one-China consensus, as a forum kicked off in a western Chinese city to
accelerate cross-strait economic exchanges.
Using ‘Macau Formula’ in
Cross-Strait Talks Is Unacceptable: Premier (CNA, May 7, 2011) Premier Wu Den-yih
said that he supported the “1992 consensus” as the basis for cross-strait
talks, and could not accept a formula broached by an official under the
previous DPP administration.
DPP Downplay Joseph Wu
Remarks
(Taipei Times, May 6, 2011) A spokesperson for
the Democratic Progressive Party downplayed remarks by a former DPP
government official who suggested that a DPP administration would introduce
major changes in relations with Beijing.
DPP Would Grant China Less
‘Weight’: Joseph Wu
(Taipei Times, May 5, 2011) If the DPP regained
power in next year’s presidential election, China would be given much less “weight”
than it is given by the KMT administration, former Mainland Affairs Council
chairman Joseph Wu told a Washington audience.
China Warns Party As It
Picks Presidential Nominee
(Reuters, Apr. 28, 2011) China’s Taiwan Affairs Office
warned the Democratic Progressive Party that it risked serious problems if it
pressed for independence.
Opposition Chief Taiwan’s
First Female Presidential Candidate
(CNA, Apr. 27, 2011) Tsai Ing-wen,
head of the opposition DPP , is set to become Taiwan's first female
presidential candidate in history when she represents the DPP in the
country's presidential election to be held in January 2012.
President Ma Registers with
KMT for Re-election
(China
Post, Apr. 24, 2011) Re-election-seeking President Ma Ying-jeou formally
registered his bid in the ruling Kuomintang's primary.
DPP Focuses on Global
Future, Cross-Strait Issues
(China Post, Apr. 21, 2011) DPP held its last
policy presentation before the presidential primary last night. The
presentation focused on cross-strait relations, with running candidates
espousing ideas aiming to help Taiwan grow and develop in the
international arena.
DPP Candidates Call for
Unity Amid Mudslinging
(China
Post, Apr. 17, 2011) All three presidential candidates of the opposition Democratic
Progressive Party called for unity as
they sought to curb mudslinging and rumor-mongering among supporters.
Ma Announces Re-Election Bid
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 10, 2011) With Ma likely to be nominated by the KMT unopposed,
attention has now turned to potential running mates, with Premier Wu Den-yih favored by some.
DPP Hopefuls Refine Platforms
(Taipei Times, Apr. 10, 2011) The
candidates all focused on how their potential administrations would tackle
cross-strait issues and the relationship with Beijing.
DPP Forum Calls for Economic
Reforms
(China
Post, Apr. 10, 2011) Two of the Democratic Progressive Party's presidential candidates, Su Tseng-chang and Tsai Ing-wen, called
for structural changes to Taiwan's
economy, as their fellow contender emphasized economic development within a
cross-strait framework.
Tsai Promises to Reassess
ECFA If Elected President
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 6, 2011) Democratic Progressive Party presidential hopeful Tsai Ing-wen said she would reassess the Economic Cooperation
Framework Agreement if elected next year, but did not say whether she would
seek its nullification.
Ex-DPP Chief Hsu Pushes for
‘One China: EU Model’
(China
Post, Apr. 6, 2011) Former Chairman Hsu Hsin-liang
of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party continued his advocating for
the “one China: European
Union model” to resolve the stalemate between the relations across the Taiwan Strait.
Su Proposes ‘Smart Power’
Diplomacy
(Taipei
Times, Apr. 3, 2011) Democratic Progressive Party presidential primary
candidate Su Tseng-chang has proposed using “smart
power” combined with “pragmatic diplomacy” as the way to handle Taiwan’s
diplomatic plight.
Third Candidate Vie for DPP Ticket
(Taipei Times, Mar. 26, 2011) Former Democratic
Progressive Party chairperson Hsu Hsin-liang
submitted an 11th-hour presidential bid before registration closed, making
him the third candidate to vie for the DPP ticket.
Su Announces Presidential Bid
(Taipei Times, Mar. 23, 2011)
Former premier Su Tseng-chang formally announced
his bid for the Democratic Progressive Party’s nomination for next year’s
presidential election.
Annette Lu Drops Bid for
DPP’s Nomination
(Taipei Times, Mar. 23, 2011)
Former vice president Annette Lu unexpectedly dropped her bid for the
Democratic Progressive Party presidential nomination.
Taiwan Opposition Leader
Declares for President
(AP, Mar. 10, 2011) Taiwan's opposition leader has
formally announced she will stand for president.
Annette Lu Planning
Presidential Bid
(Taipei Times,
Feb. 26, 2011) Former vice president Annette Lu made it clear that she will
run for president next year, a decision she said she would formally announce
on Monday at a public rally in Taipei.
DPP Heavyweights Hint at
Presidential Election Bid
(Taipei Times, Feb 21, 2011) Several Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) politicians continued to hint at a possible
presidential run over the weekend, with only two months left before party
primaries.
Presidential Bid Possible: Hsieh
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 27, 2011) Former premier Frank Hsieh said he’s still open to
running for president next year, despite his statement almost three years ago
that he would back out of politics.
Center Says Odds on Ma
Winning
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 25, 2011) A university prediction center said there was a 47
percent chance that President Ma Ying-jeou would
win next year’s presidential election, although the probability that the KMT
or DPP would step into the Presidential Office was almost on a par.
Lee Calls for New Force to
Beat Ma in 2012
(China
Post, Dec. 15, 2010) Former President Lee Teng-hui
has called for consolidating the opposition forces to vote President Ma Ying-jeou out of office and reverse the “pro-China” policies
pushed by Ma and his administration.
Su Not Bowing Out from
Presidential Race
(China Post, Nov. 30, 2010) Former Premier Su
Tseng-chang is unlikely to give up his jockeying
for president without a good fight to win nomination from the opposition DPP,
although current DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen is
already seen as a frontrunner in the 2012 presidential race to challenge
President Ma Ying-jeou.
Lessons from Taiwan
By L. C. Russell Hsiao and H. H. Michael Hsiao
(The Diplomat, Feb. 7, 2012) The onus is on Ma to
live up to his re-election promise to include the opposition in formulating a
“national” cross-Strait policy. But Washington
should take active measures to shore up Taiwan’s sovereignty, while the
Chinese Communist Party should think out of the box and engage the DPP.
Yuriko Koike: China’s
Soft-Power Offensive in Taiwan
(Strait Times, Jan. 31, 2012) China's behaviour during the recent presidential election in
Taiwan demonstrates that its leaders have learned some lessons, if only the
hard way.
Taiwan’s Presidential and
Legislative Elections: Implications for Taiwan, the United States, and
Cross-strait Relations By Richard C. Bush (Luncheon
address, CSIS-Brookings Symposium,
Jan. 17, 2012) It is unlikely that President Ma will accelerate the process of reconciliation
with China, moving towards negotiations on political and security issues. The
smartest thing for Beijing and Taipei to do in Ma’s
second term may be to consolidate the gains of the first one. How to Size Up Taiwan’s 2012 Election—Dr. Yun-han
Chu’s presentation in this CSIS-Brookings Symposium
What Next for Taiwan’s
Opposition? By Jenny W. Hsu
(China
Real Time Report, Jan. 20, 2012) Shelley Rigger said that while Ms. Tsai
should be lauded for restoring burnishing the DPP’s
image, she might have overlooked a key constituency – the “green” pro-independence
die-hards—who might constrain the DPP from moving to the center.
It’s All Right, Ma
(The Economist, Jan. 21, 2012) Perhaps most
striking this time round was the reaction the presidential and parliamentary
polls aroused in China.
There, some saw President Ma Ying-jeou’s
re-election in a peacefully contested race as evidence that democracy might
one day have a chance in China
too.
Taiwan’s Economic Tunnel
Vision By Philip Bowring
(Wall Street Journal, Jan. 17, 2012) Failure to
achieve the aspiration of being a regional trade and services hub was long blamed
on the absence of cross-Strait links, particularly after China emerged as a major player.
But the creation of those links by the Ma government has exposed the fact
that other forces are thwarting Taiwan's growth.
Breathing Easier on Taiwan By Dennis V. Hickey
(LA Times, Jan. 17, 2012) Ma Ying-jeou’s reelection lowers the chances for new tensions
with mainland China.
But that doesn’t mean U.S.
support for Taiwan
in unnecessary.
Taiwan Election Stirs Hopes
among Chinese for Democracy By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times, Jan. 17, 2012) There was another winner in the
election this weekend that handed President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan a
second term in office — the faint but unmistakable clamor for democracy
in China.
Taiwan Vote Shows Doubt
about China By Paul Mozur and Jenny W. Hsu (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 16, 2012) Ma Ying-jeou's
victory in Taiwan's
presidential elections gave him a renewed mandate to press ahead with economic
opening to China,
but analysts said the vote underlined deep suspicions among voters toward
their giant neighbor.
Why Ma Won the Elections and
What’s Next for Taiwan and China By Daniel Lynch (Foreign Affairs, Jan. 15, 2012) Ma's victory almost certainly
raised Beijing's
expectations. China's
leaders may pressure Ma to begin formally discussing Taiwan's political future. So,
rather than stabilizing the cross-strait status quo, Ma's election might
usher in a new period of instability in which Chinese demands on Taiwan
intensify.
Taiwan’s Re-elected
President in No Hurry for China Political Talks, Says Economy Comes First (AP, Jan. 15, 2012) While Chinese President Hu
Jintao would like to see progress in repairing the
political rift between Taiwan and the mainland before he leaves office this
year, Ma made clear after declaring victory that he wants to strengthen
economic ties before addressing political issues.
Ma’s Re-election to 2nd Term
Stands As Clear Affirmation of ‘1992 Consensus’ (China
Post, Jan. 15, 2012) Taipei and Beijing may not have reached an agreement to
allow them to disagree on the meaning of “one China” in 1992, but the
“fiction” is now definitely an established discourse that is accepted by both
sides as common ground.
Former U.S. Diplomat Rattles
Taiwan Before Election By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times, Jan. 14, 2012) The remarks that uttered by a
former American diplomat splashed across the front pages of several Taiwanese
newspapers on Friday and have kicked up a tempest, underscoring the enormous
influence that the United States has on Taiwan’s adolescent democracy.
Why Taiwan’s Future Matters By Su Chi
(New York Times, Jan. 13, 2012) As the
18th-largest economy in the world and a thoroughly democratized nation, Taiwan is still perceived by some in Washington as a potential bargaining chip in crafting a
new relationship with China.
This is a mistake.
In China, Fascination with Taiwan
Election By Josh Chin and Paul Mozur (China
Real Time Report, Jan. 13, 2012) They may not have a vote, but that hasn’t
kept Chinese citizens from paying close attention to Taiwan’s hotly contested
elections.
Taiwan Election Too Close to
Call As China and US Look on By Tania Branigan (Guardian, Jan. 13,
2012) While outsiders contemplate the election's impact on international
security, Taiwan's 18 million voters seem more interested in their employment
and income prospects.
Taiwan Vote Lures Back
Expatriates in China By Andrew Jacobs
(New York Times, Jan. 12, 2012) The growing
political heft of the Taishang, the name given to
the million or so Taiwanese in China who have staked their
livelihoods on its expansive economy, has become a point of contention in a
race that has raised existential questions about a Taiwan increasingly
ensconced in Beijing’s embrace.
Why Taiwanese Election Is So
Close: An Alternate Theory By Paul Mozur (China Real Time
Report, Jan. 12, 2012) As Shelley Rigger said in an interview with China Real
Time, the idea that Taiwan needs a strong opposition party has been part of
the reason the DPP has been able to come back so quickly from its drubbing
four years ago.
Taiwan Vote May Trip Up US
and China By Jens Kastner
(Asia Times, Jan. 13, 2012) Victory for the
anti-unification Democratic Progressive Party's Tsai Ing-wen
in the close race is unlikely to spur major policy shifts in Washington or
Beijing. While Tsai is reluctant to roll back cross-strait relations, China
has little incentive to punish the island.
China May Punish Taiwan If
Tsai Wins: US Academic By William Lowther (Taipei Times, Jan. 12, 2012) Beijing could
try to punish Taiwan if DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen
wins the election on Saturday, a US academic told a conference in Washington.
Taiwan’s Other Election No
Less Crucial for China Ties By James Pomfret (Reuters, Jan. 11,
2012) Taiwan’s presidential poll this weekend is the focus of much
international attention, but the concurrent election to the island’s
combative parliament will have almost as much impact on policy change and the
pace of integration with mainland China.
Taiwan’s Ralph Nader May Be
James Soong By Joel Brinkley
(San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 10, 2012) Taiwan
is holding presidential elections this week, and viewed from the United
States it almost seems as if Ralph Nader has moved to the island
China’s Influence on
Taiwanese Politics By Edward Friedman
(Ballots & Bullets, Jan. 6, 2012) It is often
said that Taiwanese vote largely on the basis of local economic concerns. But
China
has been inserting itself into those local economic matters with a desire to
influence electoral outcomes. Among other things, the January 2012 elections
in democratic Taiwan will
reflect how successfully or poorly this Chinese interference in Taiwan
affairs has been.
China Trade Exerts Heavy
Hand on Election By Annie Huang
(AP, Jan. 10, 2012) When Taiwanese choose a
president on Saturday, Beijing hopes the people of the farming and fishing
town of Syuejia (學甲) and others
across Taiwan will think of the benefits China brings.
Once Bitten, China to Temper
Remarks on Taiwan Vote By Benjamin Kang Lim (Reuters, Jan. 10, 2012) "If Tsai Ing-wen
wins, the mainland will 'listen to her words and watch her deeds' in the
beginning," a source with ties to the top Chinese leadership said, also
asking not to be identified.
China Looms Over Coming
Taiwan Election By Paul Mozur and Jenny W. Hsu (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 9, 2012) Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou's policy of economic opening
to China
has frustrated a key constituency: struggling middle- and low-income workers,
who could cost him elections this week.
Neither Independence Nor
Unification By Zoher
Abdool Carim
(Time, Jan. 12, 2012) Too bad one of them has to
lose. But whatever happens, as the freest place in the Chinese world, Taiwan
wins.
Interview with Taiwan
President Ma Ying-jeou
(New York Times, Jan. 5, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou
is running for re-election on Jan. 14. The following is a partial transcript
of an interview conducted last month with Times reporter Andrew Jacobs at Taiwan’s Presidential Palace in Taipei.
Interview with Tsai Ing-wen
(New York Times, Jan. 5, 2011) Tsai Ing-wen,
chair of the Democratic Progressive Party, is running for president of Taiwan
against President Ma Ying-jeou in the Jan. 14
elections. The following is a partial transcript of the interview conducted
last month with Times reporter Andrew Jacobs at the Taipei headquarters of her party.
Ties to China Linger As
Issue As Taiwanese Prepare to Vote By Andrew Jacobs (New York Times, Jan. 5, 2011) When voters go to the polls on
Jan. 14, they will also be guided by their views on a separate, overwhelmingly
important issue: whether this vibrantly democratic island of 23 million
should speed, slow or halt its wary embrace of China.
Chen Reappears As Taiwan
Election Nears By Paul Mozur
(China Real Time Report, Jan. 3, 2012) With
Saturday’s announcement that Mr. Chen’s mother-in-law, Wu Wang Hsia, passed
away, the spotlight has once again fallen on Mr. Chen. It comes amid a tight
race between Mr. Ma and Ms. Tsai, meaning even a small impact could shift
momentum one way or the other.
Charges of US Bias As Taiwan
Election Nears
(AP, Jan. 1, 2012) Washington
has been lavishing attention on Taiwan,
stepping up official visits and saying it will likely allow visa-free travel
to the U.S.
The moves are raising suspicions that America is trying to influence a
tight presidential election here in January.
Presidential Race Still
Close As Election Day Nears By Jonathan Standing (Reuters, Dec. 31, 2011) The Jan. 14 presidential election is
about two weeks away, but neither of the two main candidates yet holds a
clear advantage.
President Facing an Uphill
Battle By Tung Chen-yuan
(Taipei Times,
Dec. 31, 2011) All in all, this election will be a contest between DPP
presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen’s social class
issues and Ma’s cross-strait issues.
Nobody Keen to Answer the
Big Taiwan Question By Hamish McDonald (Sydney Morning Herald, Dec. 31, 2011) Two weeks from today, the
people of Taiwan
vote in a presidential election. Depending on the result, a dragon that
seemed to be sleeping may be stirred, and an old dilemma revived for Canberra.
US Prefers Ma but Will Work
with Tsai By Bonnie S. Glaser
(Ballots & Bullets, Dec. 23, 2011) Washington may see advantages in a Ma Ying-jeou victory, but if Tsai is elected, the U.S.
will look forward, and seek to work with her to develop a positive
relationship and sustain robust ties.
How the Election May Affect
Taiwan-U.S. Relations By Cal Clark
(Ballots
& Bullets, Dec. 19, 2011) If and how the presidential election will
affect U.S.-Taiwan relations depend upon three distinct factors: 1) the
policies of the winning candidate; 2) U.S. views about Taiwan; and 3) China’s
reaction in cross-Strait relations which might create tensions between
Washington and Taipei.
‘Anxiety’ Affecting Elections,
US Forum Told By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Dec. 16, 2011) “Looming anxiety”
about the future of cross-strait relations is having a huge impact on
Taiwan’s presidential election campaign, US academic Shelley Rigger told a
Washington conference. Taiwan’s Upcoming Presidential and Legislative Elections
Beijing, Washington Watch
Closely As Neck and Neck Taiwan Presidential Race Enters Final Month (AP, Dec. 15, 2011) Chinese and American interest is keyed to the
question of whether Ma will be able to continue his signature China policy,
which in the past 3 1/2 years has lowered tensions across the Taiwan Strait
to their lowest level since 1949.
Taiwan’s 2012 Presidential
Election, Evolving Sino-U.S. Relations, and the Prospect of Taiwan’s Security By Dalton Lin (Ballots & Bullets, Dec. 5, 2011) Changes in the Sino-U.S.
relationship create great uncertainty for the future of cross-strait
relations and Taiwan’s security, and each party will have unique challenges
in navigating these shifts.
Taiwan Presidential Debate:
Shockingly Subdued By Aries Poon
(China Real Time Report, Dec. 4, 2011) The first
of three televised presidential debates in Taiwan on Saturday left audiences
without many revelations, punch lines or memorable sound-bites.
China Frets As Taiwan
President Faces Tough Reelection Bid By Keith B. Richburg (Washington Post, Dec. 9, 2011)
Already entangled in territorial disputes with neighbors and facing the
announced return of the United States
to the region, China’s
strategic planners suddenly have a new and unexpected cause for alarm:
uncertainty over the outcome of next month’s presidential election in Taiwan.
Dead Heat Election Raises
Taiwan Stakes By Sreeram
Chaulia
(Asia Times, Dec. 3, 2011) given the sharp policy
turnarounds engineered by Ma when he was elected in 2008, and the pressure
from the grassroots faced by Tsai to re-assert Taiwanese sovereignty against
a looming China, no foreign power is taking chances by just letting the
domestic politics of Taiwan play out and throw up a winner.
In Dueling YouTube Videos,
the Tale of Taiwan’s Election Stand-Off
(China Real Time Report, Dec. 2, 2011) As Taiwan enters
the final phase of presidential elections, one of the big questions has been
why current President Ma Ying-jeou, who has managed
to reduce tensions with China and preside over a strong economic recovery
from the 2008 downturn, has seen his early lead slip in recent weeks to
challenger and DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen.
Building a Foundation for
Peace By Chang Teng-chi
(Taipei Times, Nov. 30, 2011) I have yet to see a
member of the KMT come clean and clarify what the conditions for peace are to
be. The DPP, meanwhile, seems to be content to wait until after the election,
making all the right noises to make sure the major powers feel satisfied that
their concerns are unfounded.
Taiwan’s Voters Have the
Upper Hand By Cain Nunns
(The Guardian, Nov. 29, 2011) Forget Christmas:
if you're a Taiwanese activist, the best time to open your presents is during
a close presidential election race likely to be won on the margins.
Ma’s Lead Narrows As Rivals
Enter Taiwan Election By Paul Mozur and Jenny W. Hsu (Wall Street Journal, Nov. 23, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou is slipping in the polls as candidates for a January
election formally register this week, setting the stage for a tight contest
closely watched in Beijing and Washington.
Taiwan’s 2012 Presidential Election and
Cross-Strait Relations By Bonnie S. Glaser and Brittany Billingsley (PacNet #66, Pacific Forum, CSIS, Nov. 16, 2011) Some mainland Chinese scholars
suggest that a DPP victory could embolden domestic critics of Chinese
President Hu Jintao's
policy of pursuing "peaceful development" in cross-strait relations
to push for a tougher approach.
Taiwan’s Young Voters:
Forget China, It’s Jobs and Pay By
Jialu Chen (Reuters,
Nov. 9, 2011) Voters in their 20s are a critical constituency in Taiwan's presidential elections in January,
and the 3.5 million of them have a message for the candidates seeking their
support: give us more about jobs and wages and less about ties with Beijing.
Beijing’s Brake in Place for
Post-Ma Taiwan By Jens Kastner
(Asia Times, Nov. 8, 2011) To Beijing, Ma Ying-jeou's re-election is of course the favored outcome; but
Tsai Ing-wen with James Soong attached as a shackle
is the best possible backup plan.
Ma’s China-Taiwan Peace Pact
Balancing Act By Aries Poon
(China Real Time Report, Oct. 21, 2011) Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou
this week performed a careful balancing act on the highly charged issue of
relations with China,
as he faces challengers from both ends of the spectrum. And in the process,
analysts say, he may have sent a hint to Beijing as well as to voters about what
growing ties between the two might involve.
Central Taiwan Seen As
Election Key As China Frets By James Pomfret (Reuters, Oct. 21,
2011) Taiwan’s semi-rural central plains is the battleground in a
presidential poll that will set the tone of the island’s prickly relations
with China for the next four years.
China Nervously Watching
Election Campaign By Ben Blanchard
(Reuters, Oct. 18, 2011) China is steeling itself
for another presidential election in Taiwan, hoping a victory for the KMT
enables even better ties but also girding for an opposition win that could
inflame tensions.
Hu Frets Over Taiwanese
Election By Yvonne Su
(Asia Times, Oct. 4, 2011) When Taiwan voters go
to the polls to elect their new president and vice president next January,
they may once again prove Beijing's efforts to
leverage Taiwan's
domestic politics are in vain, a development that could affect Chinese
President Hu Jintao's
political legacy.
A Potential Spoiler Roils
Taiwan Presidential Race By Jenny Hsu
(China Realtime Report,
Sep. 28, 2011) Having already disrupted one Taiwan election, in 2000,
seasoned politician James Soong could be set to complicate another one.
The 2012 Taiwan Election:
Off and Running By Alan D. Romberg (CLM No. 35, Hoover
Institution, Sep. 21, 2011) Demonstrating its continued hope that Ma will win reelection,
Beijing meanwhile must wrestle with the very real possibility of a Tsai
victory and the prospect that freezing cross-Strait relations could
ultimately redound to the detriment of its long-term efforts to woo Taiwan
toward reunification.
The DDP and Its Dilemma By Douglas H. Paal
(Asia
Pacific Brief, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Sep. 7, 2011) The
dilemma for the DPP is how to win “centrist voters” while not alienating the
party’s anti-mainland base.
Taiwan Opposition Leader
Advocates Dumping Old ‘Consensus’ on China By Paul Mozur and Jenny W. Hsu (China Realtime
Report, Sep. 6, 2011) Now that formal improvements in
trade ties have begun, any break in those talks – and some analysts have
predicted at least a year-long freeze in exchanges if Ms. Tsai were to win –
would almost certainly be viewed as a step back by investors and businesses
alike and would likely cost Ms. Tsai politically.
DPP Must Clarify Its China
Policy By
David Brown
(Taipei Times, Aug. 19, 2011)
Tsai has spoken only in generalities and while such generalities preserve
flexibility for the future, they leave Beijing, Washington and Taiwanese
voters uncertain about what the future might hold on a potentially explosive
issue.
Taiwan Opposition Candidate
Would Seek Deals with China By Ralph Jennings (VoA, May 26, 2011) If she wins, Tsai
is expected to lead what has been a historically anti-China party one
cautious step closer to Beijing.
Election Season Returns to
Taiwan: Prospects for Taiwan’s National Elections in 2012 By
Dafydd Fell (Brookings,
March, 2011) While we cannot rule out a DPP victory, the KMT is in a more
advantageous position at this point to retain the presidency and control of
the Legislative Yuan.
Taiwanese Politics Take
Strange Turn By Jens Kastner
(Asia Times,
Jan. 7, 2011) To win in 2011 and 2012, neither the KMT nor DPP can solely
rely on their traditional voter bases, but must instead take on the political
moderates.
DPP’s Electoral Success Hard
to Recreate: Former Envoy
(Taipei Times, Jan. 4, 2011)
The Democratic Progressive Party will no longer be able to cover its stance
on China
in next year’s presidential election and it will not be easy for it to reproduce
its electoral success of late last year, Douglas Paal
said.
Taiwan Elections Put
Pro-China Party in Lead for Presidency By
Ralph Jennings (VoA,
Nov. 29, 2010) Local election victories appear to have given Taiwan's
pro-China Nationalist Party a head start in holding onto the presidency in
2012.
Election Results Should
Sound Alarm Bells for President
By Mo Yan-Chih (Taipei Times, Nov. 29, 2010) The Chinese
Nationalist Party won three of the five mayoral seats in Saturday’s special
municipality election, but saw a drop in its overall share of the vote that
signaled a warning for President Ma Ying-jeou’s
re-election bid in 2012, political watchers said.
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