Taiwan Regional Election Results Announced, China Reiterates Stance and Ramps up Military Pressure

On January 13, 2024, the Chinese government issued a statement regarding the newly elected leader in Taiwan.

The candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the Taiwan regional leadership election. The Chinese government immediately issued a solemn statement, reiterating the "One China" principle and the "1992 Consensus," and firmly opposing any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference. Following the election, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) intensified its military activities in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding airspace and sea areas, including dispatching more aircraft and vessels for normalized patrols and "joint combat readiness patrols." This was interpreted as a substantive pressure campaign and normalized military deterrence against the election outcome.

The election result and China’s subsequent strong response further cemented the heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. From a conservative perspective, China's pressure against the election result was viewed as a rejection of democratic self-determination and a major threat to regional stability. This prompted the U.S. and its allies to reaffirm their security commitments to Taiwan and call for Chinese restraint, intensifying the military and diplomatic standoff between the U.S./allies and China in the Western Pacific. International risk assessment regarding a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait remained high.