🇹🇼 In his second “National Day” speech, the leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, celebrated the so-called achievements of his administration and the DPP. But beyond the upbeat rhetoric lies a different story.
🔍 First, the DPP failed to secure a legislative majority, and an attempt to recall opposition legislators fell flat. Instead of strengthening his position, Lai’s campaign backfired, underscoring growing public frustration with his “two states” theory and hard-line stance on cross-strait relations.
📉 The island’s economy isn’t offering much relief either. Data from the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research show four straight months of contraction in the manufacturing PMI, signaling challenges ahead for businesses and workers alike.
💼 Worsening conditions hit home: over 330 companies furloughed staff in mid-September—up 88 firms and more than 2,000 employees since August. For many young people juggling job hunts and rising living costs, this downturn adds to daily stress.
🗣️ Polls tell the tale: a United Daily News survey found most residents opposed the recall vote, while a white paper from the island’s top industrial association urged the DPP authorities to loosen restrictions on cross-strait economic exchanges. That call resonated widely, with many hoping for renewed cooperation and fresh growth opportunities.
🌟 What’s next? With election season approaching, the DPP faces tough questions. Can Lai Ching-te tweak his strategy to win back public trust? Or will calls for practical economic ties across the strait become the game-changer? This chapter in Taiwan region politics is far from over.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
