by John Ai

A few hours before the deadline to register candidates for the January election, the pro-China Kuomintang and the party of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je reached an agreement that appeared highly unlikely for a long time that could have a major impact on the election. During the ongoing campaign, Vice President Lai Ching-te has been in the lead for the pro-autonomy Democratic Progressive Party. Both Beijing and Washington are following the election with apprehension.

Taipei (AsiaNews) – Taiwan was one of the main topics addressed in the summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, and remains a top source of friction between Beijing and Washington.

Just before the two leaders met in San Francisco, a major event occurred in Taiwan. The two main opposition parties reached an agreement to run a joint campaign in next January’s presidential election.

By joining forces, the two parties want to counter current polls that see the candidate for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) firmly in the lead.

The pro-Beijing Kuomintang Party (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) of former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je have agreed to coordinate candidates for the presidency and the vice presidency a few days from the deadline of 20 November for the registration of candidates.

The two parties have agreed to decide on the presidential and vice-presidential candidates based on the result of the latest polls. They also agreed to form a coalition government if they win the elections. Former Kuomintang Chairman Ma Ying-jeou attended the meeting where the agreement was drafted as a witness.

Both parties have agreed that, once elected, the president will be responsible for national defence, diplomacy, and relations across the Taiwan Strait. Cabinet posts will be allocated according to the parties’ share of votes.

The TPP will play the role of a counterweight and balance, while the KMT will be responsible for construction and development.

The DPP of outgoing president Tsai Ing-wen, which is in favour of independence, has governed Taiwan for eight years.

If Vice President Lai Ching-te, the DPP’s presidential candidate, wins in January, it would be a third consecutive term, an unprecedented feat for the party. If the KMT-TPP alliance wins, Taiwan will have the first coalition government in its history.

The latest poll by United Daily News gives Lai Ching-te 26 per cent of the vote. KMT leader Hou Yu-ih is at 18 per cent, while Ko Wen-je is backed by 21 per cent. Business tycoon and Foxconn founder Terry Gou is running as an independent, and is credited with 7 per cent of the vote.

In China, tax authorities have launched a tax inspection into Foxconn after Terry Gou announced his election campaign, even though he is pro-China.

It is widely believed that the fragmented landscape of the election campaign is favourable to the ruling party.

The DPP insists that dialogue with China should be based on a level playing field. The pro-Chinese KMT candidate Hou Yu-ih proposes to reduce military service for men to four months, sparking a controversy.

Hou Yu-ih and Ko Wen-je intend to resume the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement with China, which sparked mass protests nearly 10 years ago. Ko Wen-je's speeches about women and LGBT groups have also caused some controversy.

Collaboration between the two main opposition parties has been discussed for some time, but both had different views on presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

TPP supporters expect their candidate Ko Wen-je to be the presidential candidate to bring more people to the polls, while KMT supporters argue that their party has more resources in parliament and local government. For a long time, the idea of an alliance seemed far-fetched.

The American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy in Taiwan, called Ko Wen-je asking him to clarify if the decision was made under pressure from Beijing.

In recent years, the People's Republic of China has strengthened its military presence around the self-governing island.

China is sending more military aircraft and ships to sail around Taiwan, and military exercises have become more frequent.

The ruling DPP proposes to increase the defence force and boost weapon development.

Taiwan's plans for the independent production of military aircraft and submarines are ongoing. In addition, Taiwan has extended compulsory military service for men to one year.

China is making every effort to isolate Taiwan in the international community, but Taiwan's special ties with the United States and some Western countries continue.

The US continues to provide military aid to Taiwan boosting its defence capabilities, which is crucial to maintaining the current situation in the Taiwan Strait.

• taiwan
• china
• united states
• election
• opposition parties
• alliance