On Saturday, Lai, 64, the current vice president from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won a widely watched election to become Taiwan’s next president.
Confetti flies over crowds as Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a rally at the DPP's headquarters on January 13, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.
It was 1994, less than a decade after the DPP first emerged from Taiwan’s democracy movement against the authoritarian rule of the Kuomintang (KMT).
Louise Delmotte/AP‘Chill out’In the lead-up to the election, China made no secret of its desire to prevent a Lai victory.
Hours after Lai declared victory, China dismissed the outcome of Taiwan’s elections, saying the DPP “does not represent mainstream public opinion” on the island.
Persons:
CNN — Lai Ching, Lai, Taiwan’s, “, ” Lai, we’re, ”, Xi Jinping, ” “, –, Tsai Ing, Lai Ching, Annice Lyn, I’ve, Louise Delmotte, Hou Yu, Beijing’s, Tsai, Xi, Beijing, Hsiao Bi, Hsiao, ” Lai Ching, Ann Wang, ’ Lai, ” Yang Wei
Organizations:
CNN, Communist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, “, DPP, Kuomintang, KMT, Communist, ih, National Taiwan University, Reuters, Taiwan People’s Party, Taiwan Affairs Office
Locations:
Taiwan, China, Taiwan Strait, Beijing, Tainan, Taipei, United States, ”