Southeast Asia is under a relentless political warfare attack by China. Taiwan should play a major role in helping willing Southeast Asian countries successfully respond to this existential threat.
The Kuomintang announced on July 15 that Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu will represent it in the 2020 presidential election. It continued Han’s meteoric rise, which has been helped by an extremely loyal core of supporters. So who are these loyal Han fans?
Like most of the past presidential elections, experts think cross-strait issues remain the dominant factor set to impact the election result. Since the DPP continues to campaign under the promise of defending Taiwan’s sovereignty, the 2020 presidential race may be a battle between the anti-unification camp and forces favoring unification with China.
The Solomon Islands will decide in less than 100 days whether to break relations with Taiwan in favor of China, a sign of growing efforts by China towards Taiwan’s remaining diplomatic partners in the Pacific.
The Kaohsiung mayor will take on President Tsai Ing-wen in a 2020 general election set to be defined by evolving trends never before seen in Taiwanese politics.
In establishing itself as a champion of religious freedom, and in distinguishing its record from that of China, Taiwan can garner more international support for its continued de facto independence.