Taiwan Election Outcome Could Increase Tensions with China
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Taiwan's election on Saturday is being closely watched globally due to the island's importance to global business and trade, especially its world-leading semiconductor industry.
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China has ramped up pressure on Taiwan ahead of the election, warning of "war and peace" being at stake. The front-runner, Lai Ching-te, is disliked by Beijing.
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If Lai wins, China may increase military or economic pressure. This could include military exercises disrupting shipping or economic sanctions on trade-reliant Taiwan.
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Taiwan and China have a complex rivalry but are economically interdependent. China depends heavily on Taiwanese technology firms and semiconductors.
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Analysts expect any economic sanctions from Beijing in response to a Lai victory would be narrow and small-scale to avoid hurting China's own economy.