In Taiwan election, voters seek to protect island’s autonomy

Taiwan will pick a new president this weekend – a choice centered on which candidate voters believe can best protect the island’s autonomy amid escalating pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory.

Taiwan’s electorate overwhelmingly seeks to maintain the status quo on the island – one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies – a task that requires deftly managing relations across the Taiwan Strait. In addition to choosing president and vice president, voters will elect a new national legislature.

“Clearly, there are growing concerns in Taiwan about the possibility of military conflict, but voters are