Taiwan Elections: China, U.S. Relations Loom as Nation Prepares to Vote

On January 14th, voters in Taiwan will choose their next president from a field that includes the country's first ever female candidate. Regional expert Bryce Wakefield discusses the dynamics of the race and the factors likely to decide the outcome.

On January 14th, voters in Taiwan will choose their next president from a field that includes incumbent Ma Ying-jeou, veteran politician James Soong, and the country's first ever female candidate, Tsai Ing-wen. To learn more about the issues and factors likely to decide the outcome, we spoke with regional expert, Bryce Wakefield. Bryce Wakefield serves as a program associate specializing in Northeast Asia and the Pacific for the Wilson Center's Asia Program. He earned his Ph.D. in political studies from the University of Auckland and his master's degree from Osaka University's School of International Public Policy. Before joining the Wilson Center, Bryce lectured in comparative politics and conducted a course on diplomacy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Indo-Pacific Program

The Indo-Pacific Program promotes policy debate and intellectual discussions on US interests in the Asia-Pacific as well as political, economic, security, and social issues relating to the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region.    Read more

Indo-Pacific Program