Taipei, March 22 (CNA) Taiwan's presidential election was a good example of democracy and it could find new ways to participate in the international community, Taiwan-based foreign representatives said after the conclusion of the election.
Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Ma Ying-jeou won in a landslide victory, garnering 2.2 million votes more than his rival Frank Hsieh, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate.
The victory returned the KMT to power eight years after its defeat to the DPP in 2000 ended more than five decades of uninterrupted rule.
"From the stand point of democracy, this ia a good election, " a senior European official who is based in Taipei said. Commenting on two referendum proposals that failed to pass, he said that Taiwanese people "understood the stake of the referendum."
"Never say never in politics. Taiwan can find its new way, avenue and opening to its participation in the international community," said Eric Suy-Verburg, former United Nations (U.N.) under secretary-general for legal affairs, who was among a foreign delegation to observe the election.
"You need to make friends who can support you position. Be patient, " he said.
Taiwan's democracy is a typical young democracy, he observed, saying that people were enthusiastic in the rallies and the atmosphere was similar as in 1996 -- Taiwan's first direct presidential election.
The ex-U.N. official said that the DPP-proposed referendum, which asked voters whether Taiwan should join the U.N. under the name "Taiwan, " is unrealistic for the time being, since the U.N. General Assembly will respond negatively under the obstruction of China.
The KMT proposal was more balanced because it offers greater flexibility on names, he said.
Both referendums, which were held alongside the presidential election, failed to pass because they did not meet the 50 percent turnout threshold.