Taiwan’s resounding answer to China is ‘No’: Steve Yates

He congratulates Tsai Ing-wen on re-election and advises her to make bold policy decisions

Taiwan News
Date: 2020/01/11
By: Sophia Yang, Taiwan News, Staff Reporter\\

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — "Saturday's election is a referendum on how Taiwanese people answer to China," said a former U.S. deputy national security adviser on the day of the island nation's presidential and legislative elections. "They do not believe the communist regime will peacefully coexist with a free society and the answer to 'one country, two systems' is, 'No.'"

Steve Yates, who offered advice to former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney from 2001 to 2005 and is now a commentator on FOX News, led a delegation of Washington-based media experts to Taiwan this week to gain insight into the country's vibrant and competitive democratic system. The team visited campaign headquarters and took part in the carnival-like Kuomintang (KMT) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) campaign rallies between Wednesday (Jan. 8) and Friday (Jan. 10).

Speaking of his observations on the campaign rallies, Yates said the delegation was impressed with how colorful and entertaining they were. He also said popular participation in the election process was a measure of how Taiwanese people value their freedom and democracy.

Five hours into the vote counting on Jan. 11, incumbent Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) won 57 percent with over 8 million votes. Yates said Tsai garnered more votes than the previous presidential election in 2016 and gained a competitive edge due to external factors.    [FULL  STORY]