Beijing likely will interpret the overwhelming victory of Taiwan's opposition Nationalist (Kuomintang) Party in this weekend's nationwide legislative elections over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as confirming the wisdom of continuing China's atypically moderate pre-ballot approach toward the island. The results, combined with other developments, could reduce the risks of war across the Taiwan Strait. Such a confrontation would wreak havoc on world markets and could escalate into a direct battle between the Chinese and U.S. militaries. According to Taiwan's Central Election Commission, the Kuomintang (KMT) won 81 seats, the DPP secured 27, and independents and representatives of minor parties captured the remaining slots in the 113-seat Legislative Yuan. Less than 60 percent of Taiwan's 17 million eligible voters cast ballots. While experts had expected the KMT to improve its performance from its limited success in the 2004 legislative elections, few observers had forecast such a decisive victory. KMT candidates won even in such traditional DPP strongholds as southern Kaohsiung County and city. Most importantly from Beijing's perspective, many DPP candidates, known for their hard-line pro-independence stances toward the mainland, lost.
Opposition Victory in Taiwan Elections Should Encourage Moderation in Beijing
