President Tsai Reelected: Taiwan News

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was reelected in a landslide victory with 57 percent of the vote. The economy and excessive Chinese control were top issues. China had cut off contact with the Tsai government; protests disrupting Kong since June also troubled Taiwanese voters. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told the media Sunday (Jan. 12) that officials from more than 60 countries had greeted Tsai by phone call and email, including U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu,” reports Keoni Everington for Taiwan News. “In a released statement, Pompeo congratulated Tsai on her well-deserved win and praised Taiwanese voters for demonstrating the spirit of democracy.” China, regarding Taiwan as a Chinese region, expressed irritation about the stream of congratulations, suggesting these violate the one-China principal and encourage “independence forces.” Unlike Hong Kong, Taiwan was not part of Communist China. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also urged “peaceful development of cross-strait relations.” China is Taiwan’ top trade partner for both imports and exports.– YaleGlobal