ChinaTalk

Taiwan Election Results and Implications for Beijing

Jan 25, 2024

Kharis Templeman, a research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution focusing on Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, discusses the recent Taiwan elections and their implications. He highlights the lack of surprises in the election results and the subdued campaign atmosphere, revealing a disconnect between local sentiments and foreign media narratives. Templeman explains why the KMT lost despite voter dissatisfaction with the DPP and analyzes China's surprisingly muted response. He also examines the evolving role of the Taiwan People’s Party in a fragmented legislature and shares observations about Taiwan's democratic resilience.

46:31

Episode guests

Kharis Templeman

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The Taiwanese voters lacked enthusiasm for any candidate, indicating disillusionment with the DPP and little confidence in the KMT or the Taiwan People's Party.

China's response to the Taiwan election results was surprisingly muted, suggesting a need for reassessment of its cross-Strait policies given a third DPP president and the limited popularity of Lai.

Deep dives

Taiwan's 2024 Presidential Election Results

Laichingda of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the election with 40% of the vote, followed by Canada Hoyo'i of the KMT with 33% and Kowanja of the Taiwan People's Party with 26%. The polls accurately predicted the outcome, and the election campaign was subdued compared to previous elections.

Intro

4min

Taiwan's Election Dynamics

8min

Taiwan Elections: China's Watchful Considerations

15min

Navigating Taiwan's Political Landscape

13min

Efficiency and Transparency in Taiwan's Election Process

2min

Graceful Concessions and Democratic Resilience in Taiwan

4min

Kharis Templeman, research fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, returns to ChinaTalk to break down the recent Taiwan elections, held on January 13.

We discuss:

The lack of surprises in the election results, the subdued vibes during the campaign, and contrasts between local perspectives and foreign media narratives.
Why the KMT failed to win the presidency, notwithstanding voter dissatisfaction with the DPP.
China’s surprisingly muted response to the election, and how it may reassess its cross-Strait policies given a third DPP president.
The new composition of the Legislative Yuan, and the strategic position of the Taiwan People’s Party as gatekeeper.
Observations from Kharis’s time in Taiwan during the election season, and the gift of Taiwan’s democratic process.

Outro music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epwlWDCCevY

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