1 00:00:00,159 --> 00:00:02,460 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:06,849 --> 00:00:09,750 Speaker 1: Happy New Year guys. The New Year. It's all about 3 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:13,470 Speaker 1: beginnings and fresh starts, right? And some in Taiwan are 4 00:00:13,479 --> 00:00:18,069 Speaker 1: hoping for exactly that presidential elections are set for January 5 00:00:18,079 --> 00:00:21,629 Speaker 1: the 13th. Polls show the front runner is leading against 6 00:00:21,639 --> 00:00:25,670 Speaker 1: his main opponent, but that lead is narrowing. Meaning things 7 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:26,909 Speaker 1: could get interesting. 8 00:00:27,420 --> 00:00:31,360 Speaker 1: Now, here are some key acronyms. You need to know DPP, 9 00:00:31,370 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 1: the Democratic Progressive Party considered the main contender and they've 10 00:00:36,009 --> 00:00:39,799 Speaker 1: held the presidency for almost eight years. They're often labeled 11 00:00:39,810 --> 00:00:44,598 Speaker 1: pro independence. Then there's KMT Guo Min Tang, the main 12 00:00:44,610 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: opposition widely considered Beijing's preferred party and TPP, Taiwan people's party. 13 00:00:51,659 --> 00:00:54,520 Speaker 1: They sort of sit in the middle and they're being 14 00:00:54,529 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: watched closely because the votes, they pull away from the 15 00:00:58,009 --> 00:01:02,259 Speaker 1: other two could make all the difference. Correspondents, Deborah Wang 16 00:01:02,270 --> 00:01:07,989 Speaker 1: and Tansy join me now to break down. What's at stake? Hi, De. Hi. 17 00:01:09,389 --> 00:01:12,410 Speaker 1: So you guys, you're living, you're breathing this election right 18 00:01:12,419 --> 00:01:15,419 Speaker 1: now before we dive into it. I want you to 19 00:01:15,430 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: describe coverage of this campaign season in one word, Deb, 20 00:01:19,449 --> 00:01:22,089 Speaker 1: you go first. I would say it's a roller coaster. 21 00:01:22,940 --> 00:01:26,878 Speaker 1: I would say incredible Oh, ok. Let's unpack and find 22 00:01:26,889 --> 00:01:31,330 Speaker 1: out why those two particular words. So I follow your Instagram. 23 00:01:31,379 --> 00:01:34,849 Speaker 1: You've been posting what it's like to work in Taiwan, 24 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:38,330 Speaker 1: you show food, a lot of food, you show sites, 25 00:01:38,339 --> 00:01:38,768 Speaker 1: but also 26 00:01:38,852 --> 00:01:41,193 Speaker 1: you show the scrums. The media are a part of, 27 00:01:41,203 --> 00:01:44,913 Speaker 1: for listeners who aren't familiar with the lingo scrums are 28 00:01:44,922 --> 00:01:48,422 Speaker 1: informal interviews. You can see them when you see reporters 29 00:01:48,432 --> 00:01:50,233 Speaker 1: crowding around the person, they want to get a clip 30 00:01:50,242 --> 00:01:53,563 Speaker 1: of s Hui scrums in Taiwan, they look like they 31 00:01:53,572 --> 00:01:57,152 Speaker 1: are next level. Oh, they are next level. I mean, 32 00:01:57,443 --> 00:02:01,873 Speaker 1: I've had experience in Singapore and Malaysia, this is another level. 33 00:02:01,883 --> 00:02:04,483 Speaker 1: And I mean, just to describe to you the most 34 00:02:04,492 --> 00:02:06,953 Speaker 1: hectic week for me was the final week of registration 35 00:02:06,962 --> 00:02:08,233 Speaker 1: when candidates head to 36 00:02:08,315 --> 00:02:10,826 Speaker 1: submit their names to the election commission. And I remember 37 00:02:10,835 --> 00:02:13,535 Speaker 1: my cameraman asking if it's ok to rent a foldable 38 00:02:13,546 --> 00:02:16,516 Speaker 1: table for our shoot the next day when I asked 39 00:02:16,526 --> 00:02:18,595 Speaker 1: what for? And then he showed me a picture of 40 00:02:18,606 --> 00:02:22,126 Speaker 1: his phone and it showed multiple tripods already lined up 41 00:02:22,136 --> 00:02:26,156 Speaker 1: outside the election commission overnight. And he replied, in way, 42 00:02:26,166 --> 00:02:29,695 Speaker 1: may your way. So he's saying there's no space for 43 00:02:29,705 --> 00:02:31,455 Speaker 1: us already. So he needs a table to stand on 44 00:02:31,466 --> 00:02:33,656 Speaker 1: to get a better shot of the candidate. So I said, sure. 45 00:02:33,865 --> 00:02:37,035 Speaker 1: And the next day, I understood why around 100 people 46 00:02:37,046 --> 00:02:37,614 Speaker 1: from the media 47 00:02:37,779 --> 00:02:40,199 Speaker 1: there clamoring to get a shot of the candidate. So 48 00:02:40,208 --> 00:02:43,848 Speaker 1: it gets very crowded and crazy and it has become 49 00:02:43,858 --> 00:02:46,069 Speaker 1: increasingly so over the last few years according to my 50 00:02:46,078 --> 00:02:49,238 Speaker 1: local cameraman. But the magic about Taiwan is that even 51 00:02:49,248 --> 00:02:53,139 Speaker 1: as it's all messy, it is still somewhat orderly. There's 52 00:02:53,149 --> 00:02:56,589 Speaker 1: no pushing, no shoving. They even get, gave Q numbers 53 00:02:56,598 --> 00:02:59,279 Speaker 1: at one point to note which media outlet arrived first 54 00:02:59,288 --> 00:03:00,869 Speaker 1: and gets to pick the best spot. So it will 55 00:03:00,877 --> 00:03:04,319 Speaker 1: probably get even more excited closer to polls. Wow, reminds 56 00:03:04,328 --> 00:03:06,158 Speaker 1: me a bit of Taylor swift tickets, but you know 57 00:03:06,169 --> 00:03:07,169 Speaker 1: the excitement the case. 58 00:03:07,792 --> 00:03:10,832 Speaker 1: Ok, Deb, you have been talking to voters leading up 59 00:03:10,841 --> 00:03:13,662 Speaker 1: to polling day. What are the top issues for them? 60 00:03:13,671 --> 00:03:17,462 Speaker 1: This election cycle? Is it typical bread and butter stuff 61 00:03:17,472 --> 00:03:20,251 Speaker 1: or is security high on their list? Well, I would 62 00:03:20,261 --> 00:03:23,181 Speaker 1: say livelihood issues are definitely still a priority. You know, 63 00:03:23,192 --> 00:03:26,992 Speaker 1: we're looking at very high property prices and stagnating wages 64 00:03:27,001 --> 00:03:30,662 Speaker 1: in Taiwan right now, economic recovery after the pandemic is 65 00:03:30,671 --> 00:03:34,501 Speaker 1: still pretty sluggish. In fact, back in October, the IMF 66 00:03:34,511 --> 00:03:36,621 Speaker 1: lowered Taiwan's GDP forecast for 67 00:03:36,705 --> 00:03:41,865 Speaker 1: 2023 to 0.8%. And that's amid a global economic slowdown. 68 00:03:42,104 --> 00:03:44,744 Speaker 1: And let's take a look at youth unemployment as well. 69 00:03:44,755 --> 00:03:48,345 Speaker 1: That's remain high at about 11.2% as of last May. 70 00:03:48,524 --> 00:03:50,925 Speaker 1: And to top it off, Taiwan as a whole is 71 00:03:50,934 --> 00:03:53,524 Speaker 1: left out of regional trade blocks. So it sort of 72 00:03:53,535 --> 00:03:57,054 Speaker 1: limits its economic participation on the world stage greatly. And 73 00:03:57,065 --> 00:03:59,925 Speaker 1: I spoke to some young voters so have a listen 74 00:03:59,934 --> 00:04:01,865 Speaker 1: to what they had to say. We spoke to them 75 00:04:01,875 --> 00:04:04,535 Speaker 1: at cement thing. And it's actually pretty interesting because these 76 00:04:04,544 --> 00:04:06,044 Speaker 1: are students in the university 77 00:04:07,589 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: career issues and increasing property prices are of top concern 78 00:04:12,330 --> 00:04:13,149 Speaker 1: to me. I 79 00:04:14,050 --> 00:04:18,230 Speaker 2: think Taiwan's property prices are very high with current wages 80 00:04:18,238 --> 00:04:20,579 Speaker 2: right now, they aren't able to afford it. 81 00:04:21,028 --> 00:04:24,868 Speaker 2: Even if regular Taipei people work two jobs, they still 82 00:04:24,878 --> 00:04:27,967 Speaker 2: struggle to afford a house or daily expenses. 83 00:04:28,178 --> 00:04:30,109 Speaker 1: But you know, of course, at the end of the day, 84 00:04:30,118 --> 00:04:34,229 Speaker 1: livelihood issues may be important. But the issue that is 85 00:04:34,238 --> 00:04:36,748 Speaker 1: not too far from people's mind is the issue of 86 00:04:36,759 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: cross strait tensions, especially as the gut has 87 00:04:40,053 --> 00:04:42,885 Speaker 1: frame the polls as a choice between war and peace. 88 00:04:42,964 --> 00:04:45,315 Speaker 1: So the polls are after all happening just as two 89 00:04:45,325 --> 00:04:49,534 Speaker 1: major conflicts are unfolding in Ukraine and Gaza. So analysts 90 00:04:49,545 --> 00:04:52,714 Speaker 1: right now, they're cautioning that the Taiwanese should be prepared 91 00:04:52,725 --> 00:04:56,993 Speaker 1: for every possibility. China's Defense Ministry has accused the DPP 92 00:04:57,005 --> 00:04:58,994 Speaker 1: of hyping up the military threat. 93 00:04:59,220 --> 00:05:04,159 Speaker 1: Taiwan's Defense Ministry has reported the Chinese balloons drifting over 94 00:05:04,170 --> 00:05:06,910 Speaker 1: the street recently, but you know, they've cave it by 95 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:10,868 Speaker 1: saying that it's just purely for weather monitoring purposes. And 96 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:14,309 Speaker 1: the DPP also extended military conscription to a year to 97 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:14,959 Speaker 1: boost combat 98 00:05:15,035 --> 00:05:19,053 Speaker 1: readiness. So all in all, really the idea of preparation 99 00:05:19,065 --> 00:05:21,975 Speaker 1: is not too far from people's minds and we did 100 00:05:21,984 --> 00:05:24,695 Speaker 1: raise this topic to the youth as well to just 101 00:05:24,704 --> 00:05:27,174 Speaker 1: have an understanding of whether or not it is an 102 00:05:27,184 --> 00:05:30,053 Speaker 1: issue for them to consider when they eventually go to 103 00:05:30,065 --> 00:05:30,734 Speaker 1: the polls 104 00:05:32,089 --> 00:05:35,309 Speaker 1: concerned about how to maintain peace between the streets. The 105 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,100 Speaker 1: conscription laws have changed. We will be the first batch 106 00:05:38,109 --> 00:05:40,029 Speaker 1: who needs to serve for a year. So we are 107 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:43,760 Speaker 1: quite concerned about issues regarding security. So people in Taiwan 108 00:05:43,769 --> 00:05:46,909 Speaker 1: have a lot to think about these last few days earlier. 109 00:05:47,130 --> 00:05:50,269 Speaker 1: I ran through the key parties in this race. So 110 00:05:50,589 --> 00:05:54,980 Speaker 1: one of them is TPP for a relatively young political party, 111 00:05:54,988 --> 00:05:58,039 Speaker 1: I think they formed four years ago, right? The support 112 00:05:58,049 --> 00:06:00,910 Speaker 1: they've garnered so far is quite impressive, isn't it? Oh, yeah, 113 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:02,859 Speaker 1: it is very impressive. I mean, 114 00:06:03,190 --> 00:06:07,190 Speaker 1: after eight years of the ruling party, the Democratic progressive 115 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:10,480 Speaker 1: party's rule, I think some Taiwanese, especially the young, they're 116 00:06:10,488 --> 00:06:13,178 Speaker 1: tired of the way the ruling government has been handling 117 00:06:13,190 --> 00:06:17,769 Speaker 1: domestic issues, economic stagnation, high housing prices. So, I mean, 118 00:06:17,779 --> 00:06:19,940 Speaker 1: we even saw this when they lost big in the 119 00:06:19,950 --> 00:06:22,010 Speaker 1: local elections in December 2022. 120 00:06:22,329 --> 00:06:24,988 Speaker 1: So I spoke to one young voter and she said 121 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,369 Speaker 1: housing prices are very expensive now, especially in Taipei. And 122 00:06:28,380 --> 00:06:31,230 Speaker 1: she's moving back to her hometown and she said she 123 00:06:31,238 --> 00:06:34,459 Speaker 1: wants to vote for Mr K because she believes a 124 00:06:34,470 --> 00:06:38,459 Speaker 1: change is necessary. So it seems like voters are tired 125 00:06:38,470 --> 00:06:39,350 Speaker 1: of the way the two 126 00:06:39,450 --> 00:06:42,730 Speaker 1: big parties are bickering constantly. So they want to find 127 00:06:42,738 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 1: a middle ground. And that is the Taiwan people's party 128 00:06:45,170 --> 00:06:48,238 Speaker 1: and that is led by Mr K. We so it 129 00:06:48,250 --> 00:06:51,790 Speaker 1: is a refreshing look for young voters who want fresh 130 00:06:51,799 --> 00:06:56,428 Speaker 1: ideas without the deep seated baggage that both big parties bring. 131 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,940 Speaker 1: So what we saw is yes, there is great support 132 00:06:59,950 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: for the TPP, especially at the start. They were ranking 133 00:07:02,769 --> 00:07:06,089 Speaker 1: second in opinion polls. But we did see however that 134 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:08,790 Speaker 1: when Mr K answer of the TPP, when he agreed 135 00:07:08,799 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: to have a coalition with the KMT in November, that's 136 00:07:11,609 --> 00:07:13,660 Speaker 1: when he started to lose some support from his. 137 00:07:14,024 --> 00:07:18,195 Speaker 1: We saw opinion polls for KNTS HO E rise after 138 00:07:18,325 --> 00:07:22,325 Speaker 1: the coalition collapsed and Mr K remained in third spot. 139 00:07:22,334 --> 00:07:24,714 Speaker 1: So right now, it seems like voters are doing what's 140 00:07:24,725 --> 00:07:28,535 Speaker 1: called strategic voting, the throwing support behind the candidate best 141 00:07:28,545 --> 00:07:30,695 Speaker 1: able to topple the ruling government. 142 00:07:31,070 --> 00:07:33,708 Speaker 1: So that's why we're seeing the Kuomintang in the second 143 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:36,290 Speaker 1: place now. So I would say Mr K started strong 144 00:07:36,299 --> 00:07:39,589 Speaker 1: in the beginning, currently lost, losing a bit of momentum. 145 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:42,510 Speaker 1: But then again, these are all based on polling results 146 00:07:42,519 --> 00:07:45,279 Speaker 1: which you know, different polls garner different kinds of results. 147 00:07:45,290 --> 00:07:47,589 Speaker 1: So it could be that Mr K could turn out 148 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:49,790 Speaker 1: to be a wild card in this election. They have 149 00:07:49,799 --> 00:07:53,170 Speaker 1: all three main candidates. They they don't have much experience 150 00:07:53,179 --> 00:07:54,989 Speaker 1: when it comes to handling foreign 151 00:07:55,096 --> 00:07:57,855 Speaker 1: policy issues and that could be a problem, right? Given 152 00:07:57,865 --> 00:08:01,355 Speaker 1: it's such a large part of the Taiwan President's agenda. 153 00:08:01,365 --> 00:08:04,555 Speaker 1: How is the island going to retain or enhance its 154 00:08:04,566 --> 00:08:08,066 Speaker 1: legitimacy on the international stage when its next leader is 155 00:08:08,075 --> 00:08:11,506 Speaker 1: going to be pretty green. So people are really looking 156 00:08:11,515 --> 00:08:14,205 Speaker 1: at how the vice president can step in to support 157 00:08:14,216 --> 00:08:18,026 Speaker 1: the president. After all, they are meant to represent Taiwan 158 00:08:18,036 --> 00:08:18,746 Speaker 1: as a team 159 00:08:19,122 --> 00:08:22,592 Speaker 1: for the DPP. The vice president candidate is Xiao B 160 00:08:22,601 --> 00:08:25,101 Speaker 1: Kim and she has experience in that area since she 161 00:08:25,111 --> 00:08:28,641 Speaker 1: was Taiwan's representative to the US up until her candidacy. 162 00:08:28,652 --> 00:08:31,052 Speaker 1: But you know, this also means that political pundits are 163 00:08:31,062 --> 00:08:35,312 Speaker 1: looking at the outcome of the legislative election, whether either party, 164 00:08:35,322 --> 00:08:39,062 Speaker 1: the DPP KMT or the TPP can garner enough votes 165 00:08:39,072 --> 00:08:43,021 Speaker 1: to form a majority and eventually influence foreign policy. 166 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:47,549 Speaker 1: So just something interesting to note in every Taiwan election 167 00:08:47,669 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 1: candidates will all visit the US at some point to 168 00:08:51,010 --> 00:08:53,390 Speaker 1: not to garner votes or anything but to raise their 169 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:57,419 Speaker 1: visibility on the foreign platform. And we saw that display 170 00:08:57,429 --> 00:09:01,289 Speaker 1: during their speeches and policy presentations, they've listed different strategies 171 00:09:01,299 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: on how to deal with foreign policy as well as 172 00:09:04,090 --> 00:09:07,940 Speaker 1: cross trades policies. So William La of the DPP, he 173 00:09:07,950 --> 00:09:10,890 Speaker 1: has reiterated that he will be focusing more on forging 174 00:09:10,900 --> 00:09:11,849 Speaker 1: partnerships with the 175 00:09:11,965 --> 00:09:15,025 Speaker 1: US as well as Taiwan's remaining allies. So for the 176 00:09:15,034 --> 00:09:19,825 Speaker 1: opposition camp, we're looking at and talking about tapping into 177 00:09:19,835 --> 00:09:23,955 Speaker 1: international trading blocks while restarting trade talks with China because 178 00:09:23,965 --> 00:09:26,994 Speaker 1: they know that once the cross straits issue is sort 179 00:09:27,005 --> 00:09:30,784 Speaker 1: of resolved or at least come to a more stable 180 00:09:30,794 --> 00:09:34,905 Speaker 1: situation then they would have a better chance of negotiating 181 00:09:34,914 --> 00:09:38,215 Speaker 1: for a seat at the international trading blocks. So we 182 00:09:38,224 --> 00:09:40,544 Speaker 1: know Washington will be watching this election. 183 00:09:40,799 --> 00:09:44,500 Speaker 1: So Hui President Tsai Wen came into power in 2016 184 00:09:44,710 --> 00:09:48,859 Speaker 1: and ever since then, that's eight years now Beijing has 185 00:09:48,869 --> 00:09:52,460 Speaker 1: refused to engage. So in terms of cross strait stability, 186 00:09:52,469 --> 00:09:55,419 Speaker 1: what do each of these candidates bring to the table? Yeah, 187 00:09:55,429 --> 00:09:58,059 Speaker 1: you're right. I mean, ever since she came to power, 188 00:09:58,070 --> 00:10:00,820 Speaker 1: Beijing has been giving her the cold shoulder to Taiwan 189 00:10:00,830 --> 00:10:02,390 Speaker 1: for for eight long years. 190 00:10:02,849 --> 00:10:06,020 Speaker 1: Trade relations is high on the agenda. Nearly every presidential 191 00:10:06,030 --> 00:10:10,510 Speaker 1: policy presentation that that happened over the last week including 192 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,679 Speaker 1: the debate. It's all about cross trade relations and understandably 193 00:10:13,690 --> 00:10:16,750 Speaker 1: because China places the issue of reunification high on the 194 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:19,130 Speaker 1: agenda and they have said that they will not rule 195 00:10:19,140 --> 00:10:22,390 Speaker 1: out the use of force if necessary. So for now, 196 00:10:22,400 --> 00:10:24,750 Speaker 1: every candidate has said that a vote for them means 197 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:27,349 Speaker 1: greater stability in the region, but we are likely to 198 00:10:27,359 --> 00:10:30,429 Speaker 1: expect different outcomes for the different candidates who have voted in. 199 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,239 Speaker 1: So for example, the ruling DPP S William Lai, analysts 200 00:10:34,250 --> 00:10:37,140 Speaker 1: say cross straight relations may get a bit risky as 201 00:10:37,150 --> 00:10:42,140 Speaker 1: he has had a track record of promoting independence for Taiwan. 202 00:10:42,369 --> 00:10:45,679 Speaker 1: So Beijing may continue to give the cold shoulder despite 203 00:10:45,690 --> 00:10:49,359 Speaker 1: the DPP S insistence on communicating with them. And as 204 00:10:49,369 --> 00:10:52,739 Speaker 1: dep has said, his vice presidential candidate is former US 205 00:10:52,750 --> 00:10:56,010 Speaker 1: envoy Xiao B Kim and she has extensive ties with 206 00:10:56,020 --> 00:10:56,659 Speaker 1: Washington 207 00:10:57,119 --> 00:11:00,270 Speaker 1: and this could further isolate the island if the DPP 208 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:04,130 Speaker 1: is elected. Now as for the opposition candidates, the Kuomintang 209 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:07,500 Speaker 1: is seen as a Beijing friendly party that could possibly 210 00:11:07,510 --> 00:11:11,140 Speaker 1: help restore communication with China. And experts say cross strait 211 00:11:11,150 --> 00:11:14,968 Speaker 1: tensions are likely to ease. And the KMT has so 212 00:11:14,979 --> 00:11:17,530 Speaker 1: far framed this election as a choice between war and 213 00:11:17,539 --> 00:11:17,750 Speaker 1: peace 214 00:11:18,244 --> 00:11:20,005 Speaker 1: and call on voters to vote for them so that 215 00:11:20,015 --> 00:11:23,505 Speaker 1: the next four years will be peaceful. Then again, a 216 00:11:23,515 --> 00:11:26,755 Speaker 1: large percentage of what voters want is to maintain status quo, 217 00:11:26,765 --> 00:11:30,934 Speaker 1: neither independence nor reunification. So that's what Mr K of 218 00:11:30,945 --> 00:11:34,074 Speaker 1: the TPP champions deterrence and communication. 219 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:36,619 Speaker 1: But experts say this stands on the issue of cross 220 00:11:36,659 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 1: strait relations, not very clear or outright. So it remains 221 00:11:39,530 --> 00:11:43,260 Speaker 1: to be seen what exactly Mr K brings to the table? Ok. 222 00:11:43,270 --> 00:11:46,659 Speaker 1: So how is Beijing reacting to all this so far? 223 00:11:46,669 --> 00:11:51,150 Speaker 1: Recently China has called Taiwan out for hyping up military 224 00:11:51,159 --> 00:11:55,630 Speaker 1: threat again as des described, I think Taiwan talked about 225 00:11:55,960 --> 00:11:59,030 Speaker 1: now there were balloons drifting over the streets. So I 226 00:11:59,039 --> 00:12:01,739 Speaker 1: think that's why China is saying you're hyping up the 227 00:12:01,750 --> 00:12:05,909 Speaker 1: military threat because Taiwan accused China of influencing the race 228 00:12:05,919 --> 00:12:09,439 Speaker 1: through their actions. There are also reports that say China 229 00:12:09,450 --> 00:12:12,500 Speaker 1: may threaten more trade sanctions on Taiwan if the ruling 230 00:12:12,510 --> 00:12:16,949 Speaker 1: party stubbornly adheres to supporting independence. So these were some 231 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:17,270 Speaker 1: of the Rea 232 00:12:17,590 --> 00:12:21,140 Speaker 1: from Beijing over the campaigning so far and interestingly, residents 233 00:12:21,150 --> 00:12:23,789 Speaker 1: of Hong Kong have been flocking over. They've been flying 234 00:12:23,799 --> 00:12:27,299 Speaker 1: over to Taiwan to take in all this excitement. They 235 00:12:27,309 --> 00:12:30,390 Speaker 1: can't vote, right? But they're still feeling strong emotions around 236 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:33,299 Speaker 1: this poll. Why is that Deb to answer this question? 237 00:12:33,309 --> 00:12:36,119 Speaker 1: We have to go back to 2019 because that was 238 00:12:36,130 --> 00:12:38,619 Speaker 1: a very pivotal point in Hong Kong's history. 239 00:12:39,030 --> 00:12:42,020 Speaker 1: You know, in the aftermath of the anti extradition bill protests, 240 00:12:42,030 --> 00:12:46,099 Speaker 1: Hong Kong authorities clamped down hard on dissent. They essentially 241 00:12:46,109 --> 00:12:49,989 Speaker 1: overhauled the entire electoral system. So essentially only patriots who 242 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,119 Speaker 1: were loyal to the Hong Kong government were allowed to 243 00:12:52,130 --> 00:12:55,098 Speaker 1: run for office. And under the reforms, what that meant 244 00:12:55,109 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: for voters was that they could only vote for fewer 245 00:12:57,289 --> 00:13:00,299 Speaker 1: than 20% of the seats as the rest were pointed 246 00:13:00,309 --> 00:13:01,859 Speaker 1: by government elected committees. 247 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,949 Speaker 1: So just for some context, they used to be able 248 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,919 Speaker 1: to vote for about 94% of the seats and this 249 00:13:07,929 --> 00:13:11,770 Speaker 1: is a significantly huge drop. So while authorities say that 250 00:13:11,780 --> 00:13:16,059 Speaker 1: the reforms were necessary to depoliticize the system, critics also 251 00:13:16,070 --> 00:13:19,669 Speaker 1: saw it as a further erosion of democratic freedoms and 252 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:23,789 Speaker 1: we saw intense marketing and campaigning in one or two 253 00:13:23,799 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 1: months leading up to 254 00:13:25,059 --> 00:13:27,819 Speaker 1: the district council elections back in Hong Kong on the 255 00:13:27,830 --> 00:13:31,929 Speaker 1: 10th of December. Despite that there was the lowest voter 256 00:13:31,940 --> 00:13:36,530 Speaker 1: turnout at 27.5% in history for that round in Taiwan. 257 00:13:36,539 --> 00:13:39,319 Speaker 1: On the other hand, election fever is in full swing. 258 00:13:39,330 --> 00:13:40,979 Speaker 1: So we and I have been here for a while, 259 00:13:40,989 --> 00:13:45,590 Speaker 1: we've seen banners everywhere, candidate standing in intersections who is 260 00:13:45,599 --> 00:13:46,609 Speaker 1: not smiling 261 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:52,270 Speaker 1: and everyone you talk to even down to vegetable sellers 262 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:55,130 Speaker 1: in the market. So even taxi drivers, they all have 263 00:13:55,140 --> 00:13:59,159 Speaker 1: an opinion about who people should be voting for which 264 00:13:59,169 --> 00:14:02,799 Speaker 1: candidate has the best policies. And you know that vibe 265 00:14:02,809 --> 00:14:06,478 Speaker 1: there in Taiwan is so vibrant and it's quite different 266 00:14:06,489 --> 00:14:08,238 Speaker 1: from the muted response we're seeing 267 00:14:08,335 --> 00:14:10,684 Speaker 1: in Hong Kong. And also because in Taiwan, you know 268 00:14:10,695 --> 00:14:13,594 Speaker 1: there's no quota on the number of seats voters can elect. 269 00:14:13,604 --> 00:14:16,594 Speaker 1: And you also went to a new district in northern 270 00:14:16,604 --> 00:14:19,965 Speaker 1: Taipei on the outskirts. And that region has seen a 271 00:14:19,974 --> 00:14:23,445 Speaker 1: huge influx of people from Hong Kong coming to resettle 272 00:14:23,455 --> 00:14:26,275 Speaker 1: in the past few years. This election. What impact is 273 00:14:26,284 --> 00:14:28,315 Speaker 1: it going to have on those people in particular? 274 00:14:28,679 --> 00:14:31,590 Speaker 1: Ok, so again, I'm going to unpack this with context 275 00:14:31,599 --> 00:14:34,530 Speaker 1: the district you're talking about that's the district of Ta 276 00:14:34,940 --> 00:14:39,429 Speaker 1: or so during the last round of elections in 2020. 277 00:14:39,440 --> 00:14:42,450 Speaker 1: This was again in the aftermath of the Hong Kong protests, 278 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:45,570 Speaker 1: Taiwan presidents when she touted the island as a safe 279 00:14:45,580 --> 00:14:45,739 Speaker 1: heart 280 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:49,979 Speaker 1: for Hong Kongers who were fleeing political persecution. So after 281 00:14:49,989 --> 00:14:52,739 Speaker 1: she said that authorities in Taiwan, they soon set up 282 00:14:52,750 --> 00:14:56,780 Speaker 1: a services and exchanges office to facilitate any moves Hong 283 00:14:56,789 --> 00:14:59,659 Speaker 1: Kong is wanted to make so people could apply back 284 00:14:59,669 --> 00:15:02,830 Speaker 1: then for naturalization after living a year in Taiwan. 285 00:15:03,280 --> 00:15:06,190 Speaker 1: But ever since in recent years we've seen Hong Kong's 286 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:10,090 Speaker 1: closer integration with China Taiwanese authorities have gotten a little 287 00:15:10,099 --> 00:15:13,429 Speaker 1: bit more cautious about approving visas. So we've seen reports 288 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:17,530 Speaker 1: from Hong Kongers here starting to surface that applications were 289 00:15:17,539 --> 00:15:20,830 Speaker 1: being stonewalled or they were being delayed. They keep getting 290 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:24,219 Speaker 1: letters saying that you have to submit this document. There's 291 00:15:24,229 --> 00:15:26,630 Speaker 1: something else miss saying you have to 292 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: to a couple more years running a business to qualify 293 00:15:30,210 --> 00:15:33,469 Speaker 1: for residency. So things like that they have been receiving 294 00:15:33,479 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 1: in the mailboxes. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council. On the other hand, 295 00:15:37,289 --> 00:15:40,119 Speaker 1: say that they've had to mandate a review for applicants 296 00:15:40,130 --> 00:15:44,460 Speaker 1: who are mainland citizens or employed by agencies associated with China. 297 00:15:44,580 --> 00:15:47,359 Speaker 1: So you know back to the question of why the 298 00:15:47,369 --> 00:15:51,099 Speaker 1: Hong Kong residents in Taiwan are looking at the polls 299 00:15:51,109 --> 00:15:55,039 Speaker 1: very closely. It's because the opposition parties are more willing 300 00:15:55,049 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: to open talks with Beijing 301 00:15:56,690 --> 00:15:59,619 Speaker 1: if they get elected. And so Hong Kongers are hopeful 302 00:15:59,630 --> 00:16:03,260 Speaker 1: that any administrative changes will lead to a better immigration policy. 303 00:16:03,440 --> 00:16:06,500 Speaker 1: So we spoke to a couple of Hong Kongers about 304 00:16:06,510 --> 00:16:09,299 Speaker 1: what they're hoping to see as the polls draw near 305 00:16:09,309 --> 00:16:11,700 Speaker 1: because they can't vote at this moment. 306 00:16:12,039 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: And we attended this festival that was organized by Taiwan 307 00:16:16,969 --> 00:16:21,940 Speaker 1: authorities to sort of foster better integration among the new 308 00:16:21,950 --> 00:16:25,119 Speaker 1: migrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan. And we saw a 309 00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:26,880 Speaker 1: couple of Hong Kongers there. So we had a chat 310 00:16:26,890 --> 00:16:28,739 Speaker 1: with them and this is what she said 311 00:16:30,049 --> 00:16:34,349 Speaker 1: we have come to Taiwan for around 1.5 years. Life 312 00:16:34,359 --> 00:16:37,239 Speaker 1: here is all right. So far, we also worry if 313 00:16:37,250 --> 00:16:40,799 Speaker 1: things will change when the new president comes into power 314 00:16:40,969 --> 00:16:43,840 Speaker 1: and we might have to start everything from scratch. 315 00:16:44,500 --> 00:16:47,419 Speaker 1: Su Hui, you're young, you're the perfect person to talk 316 00:16:47,429 --> 00:16:52,580 Speaker 1: to about the youth vote. Relatively. Now, observers say that 317 00:16:52,729 --> 00:16:56,960 Speaker 1: among the estimated 19.5 million eligible voters in Taiwan, 318 00:16:57,190 --> 00:17:00,890 Speaker 1: some 10% of them are still undecided. Most of them 319 00:17:00,900 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: are young people. How significant is the youth vote? And 320 00:17:04,770 --> 00:17:08,489 Speaker 1: how are these young people being courted? Who do they like? Yeah, 321 00:17:08,500 --> 00:17:11,430 Speaker 1: so the youth vote is significant just to give a 322 00:17:11,439 --> 00:17:14,530 Speaker 1: sense of it because people aged between 20 to 34 323 00:17:14,540 --> 00:17:18,540 Speaker 1: they account for 1/5 of Taiwan's population. And so the 324 00:17:18,550 --> 00:17:21,479 Speaker 1: race is narrow for the top two positions. And so 325 00:17:21,489 --> 00:17:24,099 Speaker 1: winning the youth vote could turn the tide for any 326 00:17:24,109 --> 00:17:24,929 Speaker 1: one candidate. 327 00:17:25,208 --> 00:17:28,058 Speaker 1: But it also matters if you even turn out to 328 00:17:28,068 --> 00:17:32,098 Speaker 1: vote at all because in the last election, official data 329 00:17:32,109 --> 00:17:35,568 Speaker 1: showed that only about 70% of Taiwanese in that age 330 00:17:35,578 --> 00:17:39,388 Speaker 1: bracket turned up. And that's a lower share than among 331 00:17:39,398 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: middle aged and older voters. So candidates are doing their 332 00:17:42,888 --> 00:17:46,369 Speaker 1: best to woo them. You're asking who do they like 333 00:17:46,379 --> 00:17:49,968 Speaker 1: the most. And the youth are generally supportive of the 334 00:17:49,979 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 1: Taiwan people's party, which is Mr K. And again, he's 335 00:17:53,369 --> 00:17:54,947 Speaker 1: offering a middle road and 336 00:17:55,219 --> 00:17:59,429 Speaker 1: he's different from the, the two big parties. He's very 337 00:17:59,439 --> 00:18:02,489 Speaker 1: candid in what he talks about. And the TPP is 338 00:18:02,500 --> 00:18:06,489 Speaker 1: also very good in tapping social media to reach out 339 00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:10,079 Speaker 1: to these voters. So and also because TPP is, it 340 00:18:10,089 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 1: doesn't have the legacy of an established party. 341 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:15,599 Speaker 1: So some of them are really quite sick of hearing 342 00:18:15,609 --> 00:18:18,719 Speaker 1: the usual tensions across the streets. They want real solutions 343 00:18:18,729 --> 00:18:21,250 Speaker 1: to their everyday problems. You're talking about cost of living 344 00:18:21,260 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 1: low wages, few job opportunities. And so that's why the 345 00:18:25,130 --> 00:18:29,219 Speaker 1: candidates are also offering solutions to domestic issues, not just 346 00:18:29,229 --> 00:18:32,939 Speaker 1: about cross strait relations that we've been hearing over and over. 347 00:18:33,239 --> 00:18:36,660 Speaker 1: So they talk about housing issues in Taiwan. The DPP 348 00:18:36,670 --> 00:18:39,979 Speaker 1: wants to ramp up building houses for the young and elderly. 349 00:18:40,109 --> 00:18:43,989 Speaker 1: Kuomintang also offering newly married couples to own their home 350 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:47,198 Speaker 1: is easily. I mean, just to give a sense, I 351 00:18:47,209 --> 00:18:50,530 Speaker 1: spoke to a young voter recently, she says she's still 352 00:18:50,540 --> 00:18:51,399 Speaker 1: undecided 353 00:18:51,790 --> 00:18:53,880 Speaker 1: and she says she's only likely to make her decision 354 00:18:53,890 --> 00:18:56,250 Speaker 1: until the very end when she, she puts in her, 355 00:18:56,260 --> 00:18:59,229 Speaker 1: her ballot. Now we've got a large CN A contingent 356 00:18:59,239 --> 00:19:01,719 Speaker 1: in Taiwan covering this election. But before we go, you 357 00:19:01,729 --> 00:19:05,579 Speaker 1: guys and before you head back to covering the campaign trail, 358 00:19:05,589 --> 00:19:08,649 Speaker 1: tell me what is going to unfold over this last 359 00:19:08,660 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: stretch Deb for reporters or for the party. So for reporters, 360 00:19:13,550 --> 00:19:17,619 Speaker 1: for reporters, lots of vitamin CS making sure that we 361 00:19:17,630 --> 00:19:19,979 Speaker 1: are healthy enough because it's going to be intense. It's 362 00:19:19,989 --> 00:19:23,979 Speaker 1: going to be exciting all three parties, DPP, TPP and 363 00:19:23,989 --> 00:19:25,989 Speaker 1: Kin Tang, they will be touring Taiwan, 364 00:19:26,260 --> 00:19:28,239 Speaker 1: they're heading down the coast to the south. You know, 365 00:19:28,250 --> 00:19:31,770 Speaker 1: they will be touching on the cities in Taitung. So 366 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 1: we're going to be expecting big rallies there in the 367 00:19:34,170 --> 00:19:36,760 Speaker 1: South as well as in the northern part of Taiwan 368 00:19:36,770 --> 00:19:40,959 Speaker 1: mobile parades as well. DP candidates together with President Thai, 369 00:19:40,969 --> 00:19:43,420 Speaker 1: they will be campaigning hard in a total of 12 370 00:19:43,430 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 1: contested districts insiders. On the other hand, say that the 371 00:19:47,010 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 1: strategy is to secure more votes in northern Taiwan to 372 00:19:50,209 --> 00:19:52,260 Speaker 1: compensate for weaker support in the South. 373 00:19:52,530 --> 00:19:55,180 Speaker 1: But Ho yo y will still toward the south and 374 00:19:55,189 --> 00:19:58,020 Speaker 1: he will be working with popular member and a former 375 00:19:58,239 --> 00:20:00,930 Speaker 1: Kaohsiung mayor Han or to appeal to the voters there. 376 00:20:01,310 --> 00:20:04,819 Speaker 1: TPP S CO will be delivering speeches in the central 377 00:20:04,829 --> 00:20:08,780 Speaker 1: and southern Taiwan and he will again be engaging more 378 00:20:08,790 --> 00:20:12,150 Speaker 1: on policy presentations because that's how he has been able 379 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:15,060 Speaker 1: to tap on the undecided voters as well as the 380 00:20:15,069 --> 00:20:18,569 Speaker 1: youth votes. So campaigning season is already in full 381 00:20:19,280 --> 00:20:22,260 Speaker 1: and it's going to be really exciting aside from that, 382 00:20:22,270 --> 00:20:26,250 Speaker 1: we would be keeping an eye out for again candidates 383 00:20:26,260 --> 00:20:30,660 Speaker 1: at intersections aside from that color as well among supporters 384 00:20:30,670 --> 00:20:34,699 Speaker 1: turning up at rallies addressed all up and party colors. 385 00:20:34,709 --> 00:20:37,050 Speaker 1: I think that has been really, really exciting to see 386 00:20:37,060 --> 00:20:39,510 Speaker 1: so far because I've seen at a KD rally, a 387 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:44,119 Speaker 1: woman coming in both Fers huge hat. I saw her 388 00:20:44,130 --> 00:20:44,750 Speaker 1: as well. 389 00:20:45,290 --> 00:20:47,459 Speaker 1: Yeah, Yeah. And of course, you have a lot of 390 00:20:47,469 --> 00:20:50,899 Speaker 1: hard core supporters coming to the rallies with the gigantic 391 00:20:50,910 --> 00:20:54,500 Speaker 1: Taiwan flags waving them around. You know, everything adds to 392 00:20:54,510 --> 00:20:57,180 Speaker 1: the atmosphere, the vibrancy of the rally. So it's going 393 00:20:57,189 --> 00:21:00,099 Speaker 1: to be really exciting going forward. Wow. Sounds like there's 394 00:21:00,109 --> 00:21:00,339 Speaker 1: nothing 395 00:21:00,439 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 1: quite like covering a Taiwan election. Thanks so much guys. 396 00:21:04,150 --> 00:21:06,599 Speaker 1: Thank you. Nice speaking to you. Make sure you catch 397 00:21:06,609 --> 00:21:10,280 Speaker 1: their TV coverage. It's on CN A correspondent. It airs 398 00:21:10,290 --> 00:21:13,260 Speaker 1: every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and catch up with them 399 00:21:13,270 --> 00:21:16,679 Speaker 1: any time on CN A dot Asia. The team behind 400 00:21:16,689 --> 00:21:20,839 Speaker 1: this episode is SA W Clara Ong, Christina Robert and me, 401 00:21:20,849 --> 00:21:22,500 Speaker 1: Teresa Tang. Thanks for listening.