Why are tensions across the Taiwan Strait likely to rise in early 2016?
Because the candidate from the political party in Taiwan that tends to believe that Taiwan is a separate nation from China is expected to win Taiwan’s presidential election in January 2016. That party is the Democratic Progress Party and the candidate is Tsai Ing-wen. Beijing insists that Taiwan must never give up its commiment to eventual unification with China and threatens to go to war if the Taiwan government officially declares independence from China. Consequently Beijing is expected to demonstrate displeasure if Taiwan elects a DPP president.
