JEDDAH, 21 March 2004 — Taiwanese expatriates across the Kingdom were glued to their TV screens yesterday, as the results of Taiwan’s close-run presidential election came in.
In Jeddah they gathered at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to watch the Formosa Channel and have lunch, provided by its Director General Chin-Ray Liu.
Taiwan, with a population of 23 million, has 16 million voters.
The assassination attempt on Taiwan’s President Chen Shui-bian and his deputy added an extra element of high drama to the event, already controversially linked to a referendum seen as a vote on independence from mainland China.
The direct presidential elections were only the third in the island state’s history.
“I feel that now we are more involved in the future of Taiwan,” said Yasmin Tseng, who has been living in Jeddah for 20 years. “This election is very important, and the live telecast is very welcome.”
“It strengthens the sense of togetherness of the community here. They feel a link with home participating in the election process in this small way,” said Aladdin Nouruddin Mabofan.
Dawood Ting, commissioner of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, said it was good to see the community come together on an important national occasion. “This presidential election is also the first since the change of parties in power in 2000, and signifies a deepening and consolidation of democracy,” he said.
Liu highlighted the importance of the election in consolidating the democratic process in Taiwan.
“Taiwan was under one-party rule for nearly 50 years. In 2000, it experienced its first peaceful transfer of power, and the present election is indicative of democratic consolidation,” he said.
“This is the first national referendum since the Referendum Act, and the trends it reflects will carry great significance for the formation and execution of future government policy,” he added.
In the end, however, there was no clear majority in the referendum, while President Shui-bian was re-elected with a minute majority despite an expected sympathy vote for his narrow escape.
