To discuss the implication and impacts of Taiwan’s 2016 presidential and legislative elections held on January 16, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Toronto, in partnership with the University of Toronto’s Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs, on Feb. 3 presented a conference entitled “Towards a New Normal in Taiwan’s Democracy?” This postelection panel, hosted by the Ralph and Roz Herbert Professor of Innovation at the Munk School of Global Affairs Joseph Wong, featured Shelley Rigger, the Brown Professor of East Asian Politics at Davidson College in North Carolina, United States, and Alexander Chiehcheng Huang, a professor at Institute of Strategic Studies of Tamkang University in Taiwan. During the conference, the scholars shared with other participants their reflections and observations on the current state of Taiwan’s political and economic developments in general and the January elections in particular.
In her welcoming remarks, Director General Catherine Y. M. Hsu of Toronto TECO thanked the University of Toronto for maintaining friendly relations and close cooperation with her office and for joining the office in organizing this postelection panel. Madam DG Hsu pointed out that the peaceful elections showcased again Taiwan’s mature democracy, which was widely recognized and highly regarded by more than forty countries, including Canada, the Unites States, Japan and Europe Union, in their congratulations on Taiwan’s election results.
During the seminar, all three scholars agreed that democracy has matured in Taiwan, becoming a normal on the island. In his observation, Professor Huang took the view that cross-Strait relations was not the sole key issue in the elections as the electorate also paid a lot of attention to domestic issues. Nonetheless, he also believed that the election results did reflect Taiwan people’s anxiety toward uncertain future and overdependence on mainland China.
In her presentation, Professor Rigger argued that after the defeat of the 2012 presidential election, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party adopted a much more subtle approach for this year’s election campaign, which put more emphasis on people’s economic welfare, and therefore was much appreciated and supported by voters.
Adopting a more conclusive tone, Professor Wong predicted that Taiwan’s economy would not be able to repeat the high 10 percent growth of the past as its current slow and staggering condition was in fact part of a global phenomenon. The DPP government, in his view, should give Taiwan people more realistic expectations.
The conference lasted for 3 hours. More than 100 guests attended the event, including faculty members and students from the University of Toronto and York University; also attended were members and leaders of local Taiwanese community as well as staff of Toronto TECO. As the atmosphere was warm and lively, the event was considered a success, receiving high marks from the participants.
Professor Wong (centre), Professor Rigger (right) and Professor Huang (left) discuss Taiwan’s January elections.
Madam DG Hsu gives her welcoming remarks during the conference.
Many scholars and students attend the conference.
