"Taiwan's Presidential Race: A Test for U.S.-China Relations as Candidates Court Voters"

Taiwan's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13 pose a significant challenge for the Biden administration's efforts to stabilize relations with China. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate, branded as a separatist by China, could increase military pressure from Beijing if victorious, while a win for the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party might raise concerns about Taiwan's commitment to defense spending due to their traditional stance of closer ties with China. U.S. officials maintain a neutral stance publicly but have developed relationships with both candidates, emphasizing the importance of defense and maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. hopes for a free and fair election without foreign interference and is preparing for increased pressure on Taiwan from China regardless of the election outcome.