Taiwanese are voting on Saturday as the island's future and its relationship with mainland China reach a critical juncture.

The repercussions of protest and unrest can stretch across borders. Events during 2019 have reshaped Taiwanese perceptions towards China and the so-called ‘one-country, two systems’ in Hong Kong.

In the second of a five-part series on a presidential race that will affect Beijing’s relations with Washington as well as Taipei, the Post focuses on the KMT’s candidate. The embattled ‘runaway mayor’ is dividing opinion, while his mainland-friendly party is beset by division and being outmanoeuvred by Tsai Ing-wen’s DPP.

Trailing in the polls weeks before election day, Taiwan’s opposition presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu was asked a straightforward question during an appearance on a late night talk show.

Thousands gathered on a sunny November afternoon for what could have been mistaken for a carnival. Children played on inflatable gyms and giggled at clowns. Food stalls served up grilled sausages and scallion cakes. Taiwanese rapper Dwagie performed, with even older audience members participating in his call-and-response choruses.

Heading into 2019, Tsai Ing-wen looked at risk of becoming Taiwan’s first one-term president. Then came the unrest in Hong Kong.

The ongoing protests in Hong Kong have captivated the world, prompting speculation of another brutal Tiananmen-like government crackdown. Rather than viewing Hong Kong merely through the lens of a China problem, however, it may make more sense to see it in the context of the broader Asia-Pacific region.

The ongoing protests in Hong Kong have captivated the world, prompting speculation of another brutal Tiananmen-like government crackdown. Rather than viewing Hong Kong merely through the lens of a China problem, however, it may make more sense to see it in the context of the broader Asia-Pacific region.