People of Taiwan have to choose whether to embrace China or run on democracy's path: VP Lai ahead of elections

Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te, the frontrunner in next year’s election, has said that the people of the island nation have to choose between democracy and “embrace China.” The issue of China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, looms large ahead of the Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections, especially as Beijing has been stepping up its military pressure against the island. Lai, the vice president and member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is running for president and has led most opinion polls ahead of elections. “The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China,” he said. Beijing has pressed Taipei to accept that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to “one China”, inviting strong rejection from the DPP-led government which says Taiwan’s future can only be decided by its people. Meanwhile, on Monday, Lai announced Taiwan’s high-profile former de facto ambassador to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, as his running mate. Both Lai and Hsiao share similar views on China, with the latter getting sanctioned by Beijing twice.

Late on Monday, Chinese state television lambasted the Lai-Hsiao team up in a commentary on its website, saying they were “villains colluding together”.

“Taiwan independence means war. The Lai-Hsiao independence double act will intensify cross-strait tensions and conflict,” it said.

Lai on Monday dismissed China’s criticisms, saying it was further proof of Beijing’s efforts to interfere in the election.

Lai, standing next to Hsiao outside the election commission, said he was full of confidence.

“We both deeply love this land, passionately love this country,” he added.

With inputs from Reuters