Taiwanese Americans Return to Their Homeland to Cast Their Votes

Nancy Yang, a Taiwanese American living in San Francisco, expressed her dedication to voting in Taiwan's presidential election, stating that she even lost her voice from shouting the name of her chosen candidate, William Lai Ching-te. Lai, from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), won the election, securing an unprecedented third term for the party. Yang is among the few thousand Taiwanese living overseas who returned to Taiwan to vote, despite the long-distance travel. Many Taiwanese voters traveled back to their hometowns to cast their ballots in person. The election was framed by China as a choice between war and peace, making relations with China a significant factor for Taiwanese voters, especially those living in the United States. Around 4,000 citizens living abroad registered to vote. Yang, wearing the DPP's green sweater, expressed her sentiment of not belonging to China and her excitement for being on the ground where she felt she was making a difference. The economy and China were prominent issues in the election, with the DPP focusing on the threat posed by China, the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) campaigning for better relations with Beijing, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) aiming to address the cost of living. The TPP performed better than expected, indicating the importance of the economy in voters' minds. While some were dissatisfied with the election outcome, all were proud that the world recognized Taiwan's democracy. Taiwan's young democracy and vibrant elections were described as joyful, with millions of Taiwanese participating at the polls. The high-stakes situation with China heightened anxiety but also put Taiwan on the geopolitical map. Taiwanese-Americans spoke of their pride in Taiwan's recognition and the responsibility of the US to protect it. Concerns were raised about the potential for increased tension with Beijing under Lai's leadership, and some voiced their hope for better protection of their interests. Overall, the article highlights the dedication and engagement of Taiwanese voters, both domestically and internationally, in shaping their country's future.