Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, president of Taiwan, has won a second term. In elections held last weekend, Mr. Ma claimed a surprisingly large victory, besting Ms. Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Equally important, Mr. Ma's ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party held on to its majority in the national legislature. The two outcomes hold out the promise of continuity in Taiwan politics and stability in cross-strait relations. Both are to be welcomed.

Mr. Ma took office four years ago promising to develop and stabilize relations with China. That relationship ran aground during the tenure of Mr. Chen Shui-bian, his predecessor, a member of the DPP and a stalwart independence activist (like many in the party). The ill will between Mr. Chen and the Beijing government poisoned every component of that relationship; China was unprepared to make any deal with Mr. Chen for fear that it might legitimate him, his party, and their outlook.