happy. >> reporter: some like this student from the u.s. flew 16 hours to cast their votes in-person. >> were you afraid that taiwan would become similar to hong kong or the next hong kong if there was a different result? >> really. for sure. in terms of especially since -- for a more closer economic partnership with china. it's the first step for encroachment, right? >> reporter: when the buzz of victory wears off a sobering reality for taiwan's new president. his party lost control of parliament, a sign of voter dissatisfaction, with low pay, expensive housing, lack of opportunity. local issues have never been the ruling party's strength, it's why they lost the last round of local elections. but the party's two-term president did one taiwan on the global stage like never before. lai, her vp and successor ran on a continuity ticket. >> translator: we are telling the international community that