During the Taiwanese election, the ruling Kuomintang party has framed the issue as one of war or peace

Rock music swelled, stage dancers twirled, and the audience went absolutely bonkers, waving thousands of Taiwan flags.

On Saturday, the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate for president in the upcoming 13 January election was the subject of a boisterous political gathering.

The host called out, "Give me a president!" through the microphone. "Hou You-ih!" the audience yelled out.

Jaw Shaw-kong, Mr. Hou's running mate, seized the microphone as Mr. Hou watched and began a scathing attack against the DPP, the ruling party.

How are they going to get there? The path leading to conflict!" he exclaimed, gesturing with his index finger. "The road that leads Taiwan into danger, the road that leads to uncertainty!"

The KMT is relying on the idea that Taiwanese voters will be forced to choose between war and peace with China as the election approaches this coming weekend.

China supports "peaceful reunification" but has not ruled out the use of force to seize Taiwan, the self-governed island that it claims as its own.

Known as "greyzone warfare," China's military posture around Taiwan has been steadily increased during the past eight years of pro-sovereignty DPP leadership.

While pledging to keep Taiwan on its current progressive trajectory, the DPP has retorted that they, too, seek stability and peace.

An ad featuring outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen and her party's presidential candidate, William Lai, motoring serenely on rural roads recently went viral. Mr. Lai, accompanied by his running companion Hsiao Bi-Khim, takes the wheel after she exits. "Drive better than me," adds Ms. Tsai.

However, not everyone believes he is up to the task.

Many of the KMT rallygoers interviewed by the BBC expressed greater worry about the economy and rising costs of living than about the area's reputation for hardline supporters. Relationships with China, however, were equally significant.

I never imagined war was possible, but now it's a real possibility, and it's terrifying. A 45-year-old service worker named Ms. Shi spoke up while accompanying her parents. She expressed her desire to return to peace with the KMT, saying that the DPP is too forceful.

We should take a page out of China's book when it comes to caring for its folks. Admire their well-developed infrastructure and high-speed rail networks. Not only that, but Chinese phones are top-notch. "We don't have that," a 58-year-old lady called Ms Tu remarked.

I'm not advocating complete unity, but I am suggesting that we should collaborate more. "We are the same people as China, and we share the same ideals," Mr. Li, a member of the KMT party, said.

'A tightrope walk,'
During the Chinese civil war, the KMT's bitter enemy was the Chinese Communist Party; after losing, the KMT fled to Taiwan. This was decades ago. Warmer ties are now its preference.

The growing economic integration of the two countries is a major factor in this. For Taiwan's economy, China has become an essential lifeline since it is the largest consumer of Taiwanese products.

There are hundreds of thousands of "taishang" (businessmen) from Taiwan who rely on the mainland for their livelihood. A large number of taishang have long been loyal to the KMT.

The "deep blue" group within the blue-party KMT, which supports tight links with China, is still quite influential.

Many of them trace their ancestry back to the "1949 generation" that escaped China in the wake of Mao Zedong's communist takeover. Their emotional connections to the mainland are still quite strong.

However, maintaining a steady course has been more challenging for the KMT in recent years.

Remaining relevant to an electorate that is progressively distancing itself from the mainland is a challenge, even as it craves tight connections with China. Its decades-long rule in Taiwan has come to an end as it has been defeated by the DPP in recent elections.

According to polls, the majority of Taiwanese prefer the current situation, which does not include declaring independence or merging with the mainland, because they believe they have a distinct Taiwanese identity.

Reiterating that it is not "pro-China" but rather seeking warmer relations, the KMT has toned down its approach.

An ex-cop and "benshengren" from a local Taiwanese family, Mr. Hou is being fielded as its presidential candidate. He is considered a "light blue" moderate. Responding to Xi Jinping's reaffirmed promise of unification, Mr. Hou recently stated his intention to "forever protect Taiwan's democratic system" and liberties.

The fiery "deep blue" media figure known as Mr. Jaw, who has previously called for unification, recently stated that the systems in China and Taiwan were "too different" and assured supporters that he would not advocate for unification if elected vice president.

However, many still perceive the KMT as being reckless.

One thing that can turn off some people is how much it sounds like Chinese language.

"A choice between war and peace, prosperity or decline" was the message sent by senior Chinese official Song Tao in November, during their remarks on the matter. The DPP administration then went on to say that China was trying to sway Taiwan's voters in the storyline before the election because of this.

A "separatist" and "troublemaker" are words used by Beijing to describe Mr. Lai of the DPP, indicating the capital's unambiguous preferences.

The uncertainty surrounding the KMT government's ability to secure peace and placate Beijing is another potential threat.

The Kuomintang thinks it can get Beijing to pledge prudence and then actually follow through. As a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China, Ian Chong expressed his uncertainty about Beijing's readiness to commit to anything in light of China's stance on Hong Kong.

Perhaps Beijing will momentarily relax its stance if the KMT is elected. The ultimate goal, though, is to gain economic reliance on Taiwan or control of the island by force or intimidation.

Additionally, this poses an issue for the KMT down the road. The gap between the KMT's vision for Taiwan's relationship with China and the wishes of the people grows wider with each passing generation.

War and peace narrative is "the reflection of a party trying to reconcile two different sides of itself and trying to present a coherent argument to voters," according to Dr. Chong.

However, the KMT's party platform and the will of the people are inherently at odds with one another. They need to make a choice: are they the Chinese Nationalist Party or something else entirely? speaking about the Kuomintang's formal English name, he made the statement.

"Or is it happy to be a Taiwan nationalist party?"

Alex Driado's Blog

Alex Driado's Blog

During the Taiwanese election, the ruling Kuomintang party has framed the issue as one of war or peace