Taiwan polls are a victory of economics over ideology

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Editor's Note: The article is based on an interview with Yang Lixian, a research fellow at the Beijing-based Research Center on Cross-Strait Relations. The article reflects the expert's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after a crushing defeat in local government elections on Saturday. The independence-leaning party lost its stronghold in Kaohsiung for the first time in 20 years and also ceded the second most populous city of Taichung.

The polls, held a little more than one year ahead of Taiwan's 2020 elections, are considered a status check for Tsai and her DPP. The stinging results have said everything. Citizens are utilizing votes to voice their dissatisfaction against the pro-independence leader's performances in office.

Ideology is the most frequently used card by the DPP in its past two years of governance. In disregard of people's callings for economic growth, the DPP, in collusion with Washington, has been sparing no effort in pouring dirty water on the Chinese mainland's socialist system.

An enhancement in livelihood is what ordinary people care about the most, but the DPP has been obstinate in its ideological battle against the central government, seeking its own political gains at the cost of ordinary citizens. This, beyond doubt, has invited aversion among people, with even Kaohsiung "turning its coat" to Kuomintang (KMT).

Voters wait in long lines to cast their ballots in local elections in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, November 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

The polls are, in essence, the victory of livelihood economy over ideology. The economy is at the core of a city's development. This is why KMT's Han Kuo-yu defeated his DPP rival in the heated mayoral election in Kaohsiung.

After decades of economic stagnation, an increasing number of young people in this southern port city are heading north for more opportunities. In this context, Han's pledges to make Kaohsiung the wealthiest city in Taiwan gained him momentum in the final weeks of the campaign and eventually won him the election.

The DPP's defeat is a direct result of its disappointing political performances. However, some media outlets attribute it to the central government's "influence campaign". "Specter of meddling by Beijing looms over Taiwan's elections," read an opinion from The New York Times.

The article accuses Beijing of "illegally funneling money to political campaigns" through Taiwan businesses in Chinese mainland and carrying propaganda over the Straits through posts on Facebook, Line and other social media platforms.

These allegations are nonsense. The Taiwan authority has been keeping a close eye on fund flows. The Tsai administration had earlier approved a plan that could impose fine on unauthorized investments from the Chinese mainland from 50,000 NTD (1,634 USD) to 25 million NTD (816,940 USD). Funneling money is impossible under such strict supervisions.

Furthermore, the central government had no intention to sway elections in Taiwan. If it had, the DPP would not have the chance to win in 2016.

Han Kuo-yu celebrates after winning in Kaohsiung local elections, November 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

In addition, the KMT has recently been the target of the Ill-Gotten Party Assets Settlement Committee investigations. Buying votes are unrealistic within the KMT. Han-wave is triggered by people's yearning for a better life, rather than a result of money politics. There is an interesting phenomenon in Kaohsiung that voters even compete to donate for Han's campaign activities.

Pointing a finger at the Chinese mainland, the DPP and pro-DPP forces are scapegoating the central government for their political setbacks. The Tsai administration must beware that it is their ignorance of people's livelihood that is to blame for their crushing defeat.

People across the Straits are eager for economic growth and peaceful development. It is time for the Tsai administration to abandon ideology-mentality against the central government and return to the right track of the 1992 Consensus. Otherwise, it would suffer larger losses in the 2020 elections.

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