Tsai Ing-Wen made Taiwan's history as the first woman president of the Chinese nation. However, whether it is an independent country or just a province of China remains to be seen as the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party starts to announce policies.
Residents are celebrating her victory over Erik Chu, candidate of the Nationalist Party, conceded defeat on Saturday. The poll victory of Tsai, a known anti-China advocate, ends eight years of rule under the Nationalist Party or Kuomintang which is pro-China.
After Tsai's party garnered 556 seats versus Nationalist's 113 seats, Taiwanese are in a celebratory mood. CNN reports that her supporters poured out into the streets, waved party banners and cheered as her victory was announced.
The party of Tsai is known for seeking independence from China. Voters says they backed candidates of the opposition because Taiwan had its own democracy system that would not be influenced by China, says a 55-year-old professor.
Tsai will replace outgoing President Ma Ying-jeou. In her first statement after she was confirmed winner, Tsai says, "Following the will of the Taiwanese people, we will work toward maintaining the status quo inn order to bring the greatest benefits and well-being to the Taiwanese people."
The New York Times stresses that gender did not play a big role in the campaign, but Taiwanese voters were clearly excited over the prospect of electing a first woman president who rose to power on her own and was not related to a powerful father or male relative. Her poll victory breaks Taiwan's tradition of being a patriarchal society, says an LED sign held by 45-year-old Rebecca Chang who was one of the Taiwanese celebrating on the streets over another Asian woman breaking the political glass ceiling.