Tsai Ing-Wen was voted into office as the first female president in Taiwan last week. In the wake of the election, there were murmurs that Ms. Tsai, who represented the Democratic Progressive Party, would push to be more independent from Beijing. However, Ms. Tsai has since stated:

“Following the will of the Taiwanese people, we will work toward maintaining the status quo for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait in order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people.”

This election comes on the tail of a historic meeting between former Taiwanese President, Ma Ying-Jeou and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first cross-strait meeting of leaders since 1949. Although cross-strait relations were a concern during the election, they seemed to take a back seat to lagging economic growth in Taiwan over the past year. Cross-strait relations will likely need much more discussion in the future. For now, the island seems to be in the hands of a leader capable of guiding that discussion peacefully.

“I also want to emphasize that both sides of the strait have a responsibility to find mutually acceptable means of interaction that are based on dignity and reciprocity.” – Tsai Ing-Wen

Sources: The Guardian, ABC News, NY Times, Reuters