On March 20, 2004, Taiwanese presidential incumbent Chen Shui-bian was re-elected with a thin margin of victory. Chen's Democratic
Progressive Party (DPP) ticket, with feminist Annette Lu as vice-
president, garnered 50.11 percent of the vote, compared to 49.89 percent for Lien Chan and James Soong in a coalition of the former ruling Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and the People First Party (PFP). It was the first time the DPP received the support of over 50 percent of the electorate, a victory once thought impossible. This set of essays, based on a roundtable held at the Canadian Asian Studies Assocation annual meetings in Calgary in October 2004, is an interdisciplinary look at the implications of this historical event for Taiwanese society, politics, and
relations with China.
Scott Simon examines how the historical experiences of different groups during the transition from Japanese to KMT rule led to the construction of ethnic identities that influence national identities, nationalist ideologies and voting behaviour. Wang Fu-chang further analyzes these ethnic dynamics, attributing increased support for the DPP to both the skillful campaigning of former president Lee Teng-hui and President Chen's ability to serve Hakka communities during his first term in office. Joseph Wong discusses the difficulties faced by the KMT as it becomes an opposition party. André Laliberté looks at the pressing need to revise Taiwan's constitution as part of democratic consolidation. Robert Henderson then concludes with implications of the election on cross-straits relations as the Taiwanese state asserts itself more strongly in the world but China continues to claim sovereignty over the island.