Stay true to what's good

We shouldn't read too much into the results of Taiwan's local elections in terms of cross-Straits relations. The vote for county magistracies and mayoralties over the weekend is, after all, based mainly on the candidates' performance in handling local affairs rather than cross-Straits issues. But there is still a need to beware of its potential counteraction on cross-Straits ties, given the election's significance in shaping the island's internal politics.

The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) lost ground in the elections on Saturday, holding on to 12 of its 14 county magistracies, losing one to the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and one to an independent. The DPP took 45.3 percent of the total votes, compared to 38.2 percent in the magisterial and mayoral polls four years ago. DPP Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said the results showed people were not happy with the government headed by KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou.

Ma's government has been under fire for the way it handled the aftermath of the devastating Typhoon Morakot in August and over a decision to import more US beef products, despite health concerns.