Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te has emerged victorious in Taiwan’s presidential election and his opponents have conceded. Beijing strongly opposes Lai and the result will determine the trajectory of relations with China over the next four years. While domestic issues such as the sluggish economy and expensive housing also featured prominently in the campaign, Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party’s appeal to self-determination, social justice and rejection of China’s threats ultimately won out. Speaking after his victory, Lai thanked the Taiwanese electorate for “writing a new chapter in our democracy."
