TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s defense ministry said close monitoring showed no abnormalities in the Taiwan Strait during the national election on Saturday (Jan. 13).

Despite fears of increased Chinese military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait after the election, Taiwan’s defense ministry said on Sunday that there have been “no abnormalities,” per CNA. A daily report released by the defense ministry showed no Chinese airplanes entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone on election day, and four Chinese naval vessels and one balloon were tracked around the country.

“Looks like the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) took election day off,” defense analyst Ben Lewis wrote on X.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office dismissed the election of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te (賴清德) as president on Saturday night saying the DPP can not represent mainstream public opinion in Taiwan.

Lai received over 40% of the vote in the election, followed by Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) with 33%, and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) with 26%.

Looks like the PLA took election day off.



MND report states that 0 PLA aircraft and 4 PLAN vessels were tracked around Taiwan today.



Additionally, 1x PRC balloon was tracked near northern Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/ElrZ9g8BZs

— Ben Lewis 〔錯誤字元無法儲存〕〔錯誤字元無法儲存〕 (@OfficialBen_L) January 14, 2024