TAIPEI, Taiwan (TVBS News) — The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced Wednesday (April 13) that Vice President and party chairman Lai Ching-te will be their candidate for the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking during a press conference in Taipei, Lai highlighted the differences between the opposition Kuomintang and the ruling DPP, describing the upcoming presidential election as a choice between democracy and autocracy.
"Former President Ma is going back to the one-China framework. President Tsai Ing-wen is heading toward the future on the path of democracy," Lai said.
In his speech, Lai also emphasized the challenges Taiwan may face concerning cross-strait relations. "China must understand that if a war is launched against Taiwan, Taiwan will directly suffer the most," Lai warned.
He further cautioned that such a conflict would have catastrophic global consequences, which would also be unbearable for China.
Lai expressed his commitment to following in the footsteps of President Tsai Ing-wen, under whose leadership "the world has seen and affirmed Taiwan."
He further stated, "In the future, I will continue to strengthen democratic Taiwan on the same path of democracy."