TAIPEI — Taiwan President
Tsai Ing-wen has
stepped down as head of her ruling party after it suffered defeat in Saturday’s
local elections, while the Beijing-friendly main opposition held its ground.
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“The election results were not as expected. .... I
should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman
immediately,” Tsai, who will stay on as president of the self-ruled island,
told reporters.
Voters turned out Saturday to cast ballots for
mayors, magistrates, and various other posts in 22 cities and counties, while
there was also a referendum on whether to lower the voting age from 20 to 18,
which was rejected.
Tsai’s
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost four
mayoralties out of six up for grabs including the capital Taipei.
Tsai had described the vote as “a chance to show
international community Taiwan’s persistence and resolve to defend freedom and
democracy” as Beijing ramps up pressure on the democracy.
“But we don’t have time to feel sad, we should get
up after we fall down. ... There is no room for hesitation for Taiwan in the
face of the current international situation and future challenges,” Tsai said.
China, which views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its
territory to be seized one day, has become more bellicose towards the island
under President Xi Jinping.
Tensions rose to their highest level in years in
August when Beijing staged huge military drills around Taiwan to protest a
visit to the island by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The opposition KMT, which has maintained closer ties
with China when in power, pledged to “work hard to maintain peace in the
region” as its chairman, Eric Chu declared victory at a press conference.
“We will dedicate ourselves to the Taiwanese people
selflessly, we will be selfless so the KMT can have a chance to win the
(presidential) elections in 2024,” said Eric Chu.
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