Lai elected as Taiwan’s new president

KABUL (Pajhwok): Lai Ching-te has been elected as the president of Taiwan, ushering a third term in power for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Early results showed Lai had won more than 40% of the vote, ahead of Hou You-yi from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), and the third placed Taiwan People’s party, Guardian reported.

Shortly after being announced as Taiwan’s president-elect, Lai said it was a “victory for the community of democracies” around the world.

Lai has vowed to strengthen the island’s defense and economy, which depends heavily on trade with China, according to AP.

Lai is likely to face his toughest task yet when he takes office in May and has to deal with the ire of China which has repeatedly denounced him as a dangerous separatist.

sa/ma