Young activists frustrated by Chinese interference and pessimistic about the future are running in the legislative elections next week, determined to shake up politics in a move set to alarm Beijing.
The vote comes after Beijing-wary campaigners in Hong Kong won seats in recent elections, a further challenge to Chinese influence as anger swells among a generation of disaffected young people.
The dramatic occupation of the legislature in the spring of 2014 by Sunflower movement protesters over a trade pact with China reflected increasing resistance to Beijing as young Taiwanese seek to forge and protect their identities.
It was also borne out of more everyday frustrations — low salaries, fewer job opportunities and unaffordable housing as the economy stagnates.
Although young Taiwanese have staged protests in the past, none was on the scale of the Sunflower movement’s occupation of the legislature.
Now, in the first nationwide election since the protests, activists are determined to push for political power, saying standing for office is the best way to bring about change.
“Social movements cannot obtain real political influence ,because Taiwan’s system is too closed and too conservative,” said Tseng Po-yu (曾柏瑜), 24, a spokeswoman for the Sunflower movement who is running for a seat under the banner of the newly formed Green Party-Social Democratic Party Alliance.
Tseng said that many of her policies revolve around improving life for young people.
“It’s impossible for young people to save money with low salaries and rising consumer prices, let alone to afford the skyrocketing housing prices,” Tseng said. “I want to speak up for young people who are concerned about their future... We deserve better lives.”
Similar frustrations in Hong Kong led to the pro-democracy “Umbrella movement,” which brought parts of the territory to a standstill in late 2014.
The student-led rallies were sparked by Beijing imposing restrictions on leadership elections, but were also an expression of frustration in a city where salaries cannot keep up with soaring house prices.
Former Hong Kong protesters recently took seats in district elections, although pro-Beijing forces dominated the polls in a key test of public sentiment.
“Young people are an economic minority as both [Taiwan and Hong Kong] government policy focus is not on them — their dissatisfaction exploded in the movements,” Chinese Culture University political analyst William Niu (鈕則勳) said. “It is the awakening of many young people in Taiwan and Hong Kong who are fearful of being marginalized.”
The vote on Saturday next week is likely to see the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) lose the presidency and possibly their majority in the legislature.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is expected to win the leadership, sweeping away eight years of KMT rule that saw a rapprochement with China.
Traditionally Beijing-skeptic, the DPP is treading a careful line over its China strategy, saying that it wants to “maintain the ‘status quo.’”
Young activists are far more vocal about their antipathy toward Beijing.
Terrence Lin (林少馳), 34, a former flight attendant who participated in both the Sunflower and Umbrella movements, is standing for a legislative seat in the elections.
“I joined the rallies because I dislike Chinese propaganda in Hong Kong. I think Chinese propaganda in Taiwan is more subtle, but more dangerous,” he said. “If you really want to change things ... run for office.”
The younger generation’s political ambitions will worry Beijing, analysts said.
“I think Beijing is keeping a close eye and is concerned about the changes in politics,” Tamkang University China expert Chang Wu-yuch (張五岳) said.
Beijing “is enhancing its youth policy,” focusing on the job and business opportunities China can offer, Chang added.
However, with young people growing more wary of Beijing’s influence, China’s overtures may fall on deaf ears.
“I want a diverse parliament so different voices can be heard,” said Wang Po-chieh, a 21-year-old college student and first-time voter in Taipei.
Office assistant Cheng Li-Chun, 25, said it was time for a new direction.
“If we don’t support small parties this time, things will never change,” she said.
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