CNN - Lee wins landslide victory

Lee wins landslide victory in Taiwan's historic election

From Correspondent Tom Mintier and wire reports

March 23, 1996
Web posted at: 1:35 p.m. EST (1835 GMT)

TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNN) -- After a resounding victory in Taiwan's first direct presidential election, President Lee Teng-hui called the vote a new chapter in Chinese history, while China reacted by saying the election changed nothing.

Taiwan's first directly elected president thanked his supporters and those around the world who helped his country hold the election in the face of menacing military maneuvers by mainland China.

"Together, we the 21 million people (of Taiwan) have written China's new history," Lee told a crowd of jubilant supporters. "This is the most precious moment in history. The big door of democracy is entirely opened in Taiwan."

China's official Xinhua news agency issued a statement from a senior official reiterating Beijing's view that, "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China." It added, "Neither the changes in the way in which the Taiwan leaders are produced nor their result can change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China's territory."

China considered the elections an unwelcome move by Taiwan toward independence. The election was held against the backdrop of Chinese military exercises in the Taiwan Strait.

With all of the ballots counted, Lee had 55 percent of the vote. His closest rival, Peng Ming-min of the pro- independence Democratic Progressive Party, conceded to Lee earlier Saturday after winning 21 percent of the vote.

And while fireworks crackled above President Lee's party headquarters, Peng's supporters fought back tears Saturday night and vowed to fight on.

Peng's campaign manager, Yeh Chu-lan, wept. In a voice breaking with emotion, she said, "Along with all Taiwanese, I apologize for this result ... But we will stick to our road."

From the time the polls opened in Taiwan Saturday morning most locations reported a steady stream of voters. And despite the war games, voter turnout was estimated to be around 76 percent, far higher than expected.

Some voters traveled farther than others to cast their ballots. For example, Wilson Wang, a mechanical engineer who lives on Long Island in the United States, flew 7,500 miles and carried his suitcase to the polls. He spent only eight hours in Taiwan to cast his single vote.

Like everyone else voting Saturday his name was checked at the polling place his ID card and personal stamp, known as a chop, was checked carefully.

"I feel I do something very important ... very significant," said Wang. He also feels that he's taking part in history, the first time in 5,000 years that the Chinese have held a democratic election. But he feels China and Taiwan should remain separate. (68K AIFF sound or 68K WAV sound)

"Culturally I can say it is part of China but politically it is separate. Taiwan is Taiwan," he said.

Analysts say the high percentage of votes for President Lee and the runner-up Peng indicate the voters of Taiwan want to continue with present policies, even though such policies have led to confrontation with mainland China. Lee supports eventual reunification with mainland China but is trying to increase Taiwan's current separate standing in the international community.

Taiwan's Vice Premiere Hsu Lih-teh told CNN that the victory was a strong statement from the people of Taiwan to Beijing.

In many ways the margin of victory for President Lee may make it more difficult to resolve the problems with Beijing. If it is viewed as a mandate, it might be difficult to negotiate. Cooling the temperature in the Taiwan Strait may take some time.

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Lee wins landslide victory in Taiwan's historic election

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