Why Washington Wants Americans to Care About Taiwan
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Taiwan’s presidential election on Jan. 13 was closely observed far beyond its borders for one particular reason: The outcome could have triggered a belligerent response from China, which may have led to dangerous new tensions between Washington and Beijing. But that didn’t happen. The winner, the Democratic Progressive Party’s Lai Ching-te, was not Beijing’s preferred candidate, given his reputation in China as a separatist. Yet Beijing responded to Lai’s victory in a relatively muted fashion. Lai, in turn, has continued to signal that he doesn’t want to escalate tensions with his country’s bigger neighbor.
Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy. Twitter: @RaviReports
Supporters cheer under a huge flag of Taiwan during an election campaign rally of Kuomintang presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih in New Taipei City.
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