If there was ever a doubt as to what most Taiwanese think about Beijing¡¯s ambitions for unification, then the results of Saturday¡¯s pivotal presidential election made it crystal clear.

By choosing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party¡¯s Lai Ching-te as their next leader, Taiwanese voters not only reaffirmed their support for the DPP¡¯s handling of ties with China, but also shrugged off Beijing¡¯s warnings that returning the party to the pinnacle of power would increase the risk of conflict.