Image: Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen casts her ballot at a polling station on Jan. 16, 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo: Getty Images)
Feminists everywhere rejoice!
Taiwan has elected its first female president in a landmark election, which might cause some hiccups with Taipei’s relations with Beijing. Taiwan’s Pan-Green coalition has ousted the Nationalists, also known as KMT, after 8 years in power. Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen led the Pan-Greens during the past campaign season.
In Taiwan, the question of identity has always played a central role, especially when it comes to elections and shifting leadership. With Tsai Ing-wen’s election as president, and the shifting of power away from the KMT, the issue of identity politics is once again front-and-center in the public mind.
And as you might expect, sentiments are mixed. Experts are currently torn on whether or not the issue of identity politics is still a major factor in Taiwan. Author Joseph Wong, for example, weighs in on why Taiwan might have moved on:
“The vast majority of Taiwanese embrace the economic opportunities that come with globalization (and closer economic relations with China), but resist being integrated into China. In other words, the identity question is, more or less, settled in Taiwan. Instead, the new normal in Taiwan’s politics has less to do with identity politics and more to do with bread-and-butter issues such as jobs, wages, housing and social mobility.”
However, Sean King, senior vice-president of New York-based consultancy Park Strategies, disagrees. King is a former senior Asia adviser for the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service in Washington D.C.
“When people do talk about the economy, it’s about how Ma’s Mainland trade and investment deals haven’t delivered equal benefits across society,” King said. “Even those economic concerns, by definition, come back to cross-Strait and identity issues… how can you brand companies and promote industries if you don’t even know who you are or what to call yourself?”
We will be patiently waiting to see how the political dust settles in Taiwan—and congratulations to Tsai Ing-wen on her historic achievement!
Forbes’ Ralph Jennings points out that this election has many facets to it, beyond just China and identity politics. To learn more, click here to read the full article!