Taiwan leadership election result: a temporary counter-current

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Tsai Ing-wen won Taiwan's leadership election on Saturday, according to the island's election commission.

As people of insight and the media on the island have said, this is obviously not a normal election. Tsai and the DPP used dirty tactics such as cheating, repression and intimidation to get votes, fully exposing their selfish, greedy and evil nature.

Anti-China political forces in the West openly intervened in Taiwan's elections and supported Tsai in order to contain the Chinese mainland and to prevent the two sides of the Taiwan Strait from getting closer.

Tsai's re-election is no doubt a development that deeply worries people who hope for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

This temporary counter-current is just a bubble under the tide of the times. The basic pattern of cross-Strait relations will not change because of an election. Whether it is to curb "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities or to benefit Taiwan compatriots, the mainland has a full "policy toolbox".

The mainland will continue to steer the development of cross-Strait relations with a high degree of strategic confidence and resolve.

The mainland will, with firm determination and full capacity, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintain stability across the Strait and protect the interests and wellbeing of compatriots on both sides of the Strait.

The tide of the times -- the cross-Strait situation moving toward peace and stability and cross-Strait relations continuing to move forward -- cannot be stopped by any force or anyone. The historical trend toward a stronger China, national rejuvenation, and reunification cannot be stopped by any force or anyone. "Taiwan independence" goes against the tide of history, and it is a path to nowhere.

Tsai and the DPP must be aware that they should not act willfully because of a fluke, and that obstinately holding on to illusions will only accelerate their descent into disillusion.