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The most potentially disruptive issue this time around is election interference, with major concerns over the amount of disinformation flooding Taiwan’s social media.
Pride and patriotism abound in Taipei on the final day of the election campaign ahead of a potentially world-shaking vote.
Thousands of people gathered at the last rally of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), waving flags and shouting along to songs.
Some were jumping up and down with excitement, but one young man holding a pride flag was openly crying.
Seitoku Lai is the candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party and the person with the highest chance of victory.
His party was formed out of a protest movement, but now it stands squarely behind one key message. China.
during election season Taiwan It’s always more than just domestic policy, it’s about people asking themselves who they are, how they perceive and feel about their powerful neighbors.
In his speech, Lai cited past cases in which China fired missiles at the island.
“I decided to quit my well-paid job and follow in the footsteps of my predecessors in democracy,” he said.
In fact, he frames this entire election as a choice between democracy and dictatorship.
That message resonated clearly with the people we spoke to here, and most were clear about what their motivations were.
“China is trying to take over Taiwan,” one woman told us. “This election is about freedom, democracy and human rights.”
Choosing “War or Peace”
Of course, China views Democratic Progressive Party supporters as separatists and views Taiwan as a breakaway province that it will unify by force if necessary.
This background weighs heavily on voters.
Indeed, cross-Strait relations have deteriorated sharply in recent years, with China describing the vote as a choice between “war or peace.”
Opposition candidate Hou Yuxi uses a similar framework and hopes to expand dialogue with the mainland.
His supporters are just as passionate, but the average age is a little older, and many want to talk about peace.
One woman said, “I feel like the Democratic Party is causing chaos.” “It looks like they want us to attack from the mainland.”
But Hou has also been criticized for lacking a long-term strategy, and when I asked him directly if he believed the current situation would continue forever, he dodged the question.
“The current situation under the Democratic Progressive Party administration is no longer the status quo,” he said.
“The situation is gradually changing, and due to conflicts on both sides, we are on the brink of war.”
A three-horse race?
There is a third faction in this vote, the new party TPP, led by a man named Ko Wenji.
His focus on domestic issues has attracted many young voters, and hundreds lined the streets to see him.
His party could still mix things up.
read more:
What will change in 2024?
Threats on Taiwan’s islands come into focus ahead of elections
Disinformation can be the most destructive thing
But potentially most disruptive this time around is election interference, with major concerns over the amount of disinformation flooding Taiwan’s social media.
A small company called Doublethink Lab tracks every time a video is viewed, trying to detect where it’s coming from and how it’s being amplified.
Disinformation spread in Taiwan’s election
Many people accuse Mr. Lai of having an extramarital affair. Many of them are generated by AI and have clear signs of coming from China.
“Foreign powers have nearly limitless resources and a clear goal of influencing our own elections. It’s an unbalanced fight,” said Doublethink’s chief executive.
It is unclear how China will react to the vote, which has remained relatively quiet this week.
Taiwan is one of the most progressive places in Asia, but its politics remain some of the most complex and highest stakes.
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