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On January 11, citizens will go to the polls in Taiwan to vote in one of the most consequential presidential elections in Taiwan’s history. The biggest difference between the two major candidates – in fact, the biggest election issue in general – is their China policy. While the incumbent candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, has increasingly spoken about the dangers that China poses to Taiwan, her opponent, Han Kuo-yu, favors closer ties to China. In the meantime, multiple reports have shown that China’s disinformation campaign to influence the election in Taiwan is in full force. Taiwan is considered a U.S.-ally, and the U.S. and Taiwan have long had a strong unofficial relationship. The election in Taiwan certainly has domestic and regional implications, but it will also have an impact on the U.S.-Taiwan relationship and the future of the complicated U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship.

Ambassador Stephen Young served as a U.S. diplomat for over 33 years, with assignments in Washington, Taipei, Moscow, Beijing, Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong. Ambassador Young was U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan from 2003-2005 and Consul General to Hong Kong under the Obama Administration. Ambassador Young also served as Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

Location: The Union Club, Wedgwood Room.

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Cleveland Committee on Foreign Relations events are for CCFR members only.

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