Freedom rings in the Pacific: Taiwan's pro-democracy, anti-China candidate wins presidency

Taiwan’s voters on Saturday defied the Chinese Communist Party and elected a candidate from the country’s ruling party, which rejects Beijing’s intent to dominate the island.

Lai Ching-te, a member of the governing Democratic Progressive Party, defeated the more China-friendly Nationalist Party candidate, Hou Yu-ih.

Hou conceded several hours after voters cast their ballots and the polls were closed.

Lai emerged victorious with 5.5 million votes and Hou Yu-ih of the Nationalist Party was only able to muster 4.6 million votes.

A third candidate, former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party, finished third with 3.6 million votes. Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan.

Beijing has increasingly become more hostile toward Taiwan, which it asserts is still part of the Maoist empire and launched an entire campaign to oppose Lai. China’s president, Xi Jinping, has recently and repeatedly insisted that China’s reunification with the island is unavoidable.

Lai said during his victory speech that the people’s choice over the China friendly candidate was a clear “victory for the community of democracies.”

“We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism we will stand on the side of democracy, the Republic of China, Taiwan will continue to walk side by side with democracies from around the world,” he said, according to The Epoch Times.

Lai ‘s party, which the current president, Tsai Ing-wen, is a member, deny China’s asserts claims over Taiwan. Prior to enduring threats from China, Taiwan was under the yolk of the Empire of Japan.

Shortly after Tokyo was defeated in the Second World War, Taiwan split from the mainland.

Taiwan’s new president-elect has offered to start a dialogue with Beijing, but the communist empire has declined to do so.

Lai will officially begin serving his four-year presidential term on May 20.