Taiwan candidate warns of election interference

The presidential candidate for Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party has accused China of the “most serious” election interference yet ahead of polls opening on Saturday. “No matter if it is propaganda or military intimidation, cognitive warfare or fake news, they are employing it all,” Lai Ching-te, currently Taiwan’s vice president, said on Tuesday. The DPP is running against two more China-friendly parties. Taiwan is one of 50 countries heading to the polls this year; it’s also a “test ground” for China’s ability to steer the outcomes of elections in its favour, says Taiwan’s foreign minister. Lai warned that if these tactics succeed, “Taiwan would not be electing a president but a chief executive, it would become like Hong Kong.”