Taiwan’s ruling party picks William Lai as presidential candidate

Taiwan’s ruling party has nominated Vice President William Lai as its candidate for next year’s presidential elections.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) choice of Lai, a man who has been more outspoken on Taiwanese independence than President Tsai Ing-wen, is almost certain to anger China.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to reunite the self-governed island.

The DPP’s announcement on Wednesday came two days after China formally ended three days of military drills around Taiwan that included simulated attacks on key targets on the island.

“I am very honoured to have received the DPP’s nomination to take part in the 2024 presidential election and to uphold the duty of safeguarding Taiwan,” Lai told reporters in Taipei.

The 63-year-old has long been considered the frontrunner for the DPP nomination to succeed Tsai, who is barred from running again after her second four-year term ends in May 2024.

Lai has long held that Taiwan cannot attain a peaceful future by appeasing China and has urged the island’s residents to unite against its authoritarianism.

On Wednesday, he reiterated that stance.

“Now, the democratic bloc in the international community has noticed China’s threat to the international community, and is concerned with the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.

“You must prepare for war to avoid war, to stop a war you must be able to fight a war.”

China has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai’s 2016 election as she views the island as a de facto sovereign nation.

Lai lauded Tsai’s two terms as president, saying the world has recognised Taiwan’s democratic credentials under her leadership.

“In the future, I will continue to strengthen democratic Taiwan in the same democratic path, so the world can see Taiwan’s value, and embrace Taiwan,” he said.

The doctor-turned-politician has previously described himself as a “pragmatic Taiwan independence worker”.

In January, he explained that this means he considers the island to already be a “sovereign country and there is no need for Taiwan to declare independence again”.

Beijing has said any Taiwanese move towards a declaration of formal independence would prompt a military response.

“In the face of China’s attacks with rhetoric and threats with its military, we will not change our peaceful stance,” Lai said, suggesting he would work towards peace-building with Beijing.

“We will also not give up any chance for peace,” he added, saying both sides need to work together to improve the lives of people on either side of the Taiwan Strait.

Lai also sent a message to voters, saying next year’s polls will be “a choice between democracy or authoritarianism”.