Pro-independence candidate wins Taiwan election after opposition party concedes defeat

13 January 2024, 12:25

By Kieran Kelly

@kellyjourno

The pro-independence candidate of Taiwan has won the country's election after the opposition party conceded defeat.

Lai Ching-te, the candidate of the Democratic Progessive Party (DPP) - which favours independence from China - will replace Tsai Ing-wen, who has served the two-term limit.

The leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) party, Hou Yu-ih, said as he conceded defeat: "Thank you all. I tried my best, I'm very sad that I could not complete the change of government. I'm very sorry."

"I hope all parties can face up to Taiwan's challenges. We need a united Taiwan," he said.

"We have many issues and problems, we need a government that solves them, and we need a government that also serves its youth. Blue [the KMT] will move forward, we will be stronger... and make greater leaps forward."

The KMT party had ran on a ballot of closer ties with China, while the smaller Taiwan People's Party framed its election campaign around domestic issues.

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Tensions between Taiwan and China are expected to continue after Mr Ching-te's victory, who was described as a "troublemaker" by the Chinese government.

For the last eight years, Beijing has criticised Taiwan’s current leader, Tsai Ing-wen, who Mr Ching-te will succeed after serving as vice president.