TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Yao Li-ming, campaign chief for the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, stated Monday (Dec. 4) that should Lai win the presidency, a military attack from mainland China is unlikely, and the probability of cross-strait warfare is at its lowest.
In an interview published in the Hong Kong-based Ming Pao newspaper, Yao analyzed that China might employ specific strategies in the last two weeks of the election to make Taiwanese voters perceive choosing Lai as "very dangerous." He affirmed that the DPP has prepared for such scenarios.
Drawing an analogy, Yao mentioned, "If a bully knows that a girl or a weaker person will surrender with just a slap, they wouldn't think twice before attacking. But if they knew the person would resist to the death, like (Ukrainian President) Volodymyr Zelenskyy did against Russia, they might not invade at all."
Yao also noted that mainland China's leader Xi Jinping did not mention a timetable for an attack on Taiwan during the recent Xi-Biden meeting, suggesting that Beijing would not rashly initiate conflict, as it would hold no benefits for the mainland.
Yao claimed that the DPP is willing to interact with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but cannot accept the preconditions of the "One China" principle set by Beijing.
Yao emphasized that a re-elected DPP could send a clear message to China, underscoring that any resolution to the Taiwan issue must involve the DPP.
Yao also contended that a successive DPP administration would reflect the support of Taiwan's younger generation and mainstream public opinion, revealing to Beijing the necessity of recognizing the DPP's status.
Regarding the possibility of mainland China's interference in the elections, Yao disclosed that the DPP is ready to confront any unusual situations that may arise, but specific suspicions cannot be made public at this time.