The residents of Taiwan elected Lai-Ching-Te as the island’s new president this Saturday. The Americans and British sent their congratulations to the winner.
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) President Laura Rosenberger and members of the U.S. delegation of former senior government officials arrived in Taiwan on Sunday evening for post-election meetings with local political leaders.
In Washington, after Joe Biden’s very brief statement, the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken was a little more extensive on the election of Lai Ching-te as president of Taiwan. “The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. We also congratulate the people of Taiwan for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process.”the Secretary of State said in a statement. “The United States is committed to maintaining peace and stability across the (Taiwan) Strait and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from pressure and coercion”, he added. Antony Blinken also said he was looking forward to working with Lai Ching-te in the future “to advance our shared interests and values, and continue our long-standing, unofficial relationship on a consistent basis” with the official position of the United States.“The partnership between the people of the United States and Taiwan, rooted in democratic values, continues to broaden and deepen through economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.”he concluded.
China, which opposes any foreign interaction with Taiwan, but has not indicated whether it considers this visit by members of the American Institute in Taiwan to be official.
London also congratulated Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te for his recent electoral success. “We should congratulate the Taiwanese for holding another round of elections. And as for what happens next, we do not want to see any unilateral change in arrangements within the state of Taiwan. We do not believe under no circumstances the use of force in this situation and we wish the new president good luck” said David Cameron, British Foreign Secretary.
In a statement, the European Union said “(congratulate) all voters” having participated in “this democratic exercise”. The EU therefore chooses not to directly congratulate the new elected president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te, it does not even mention him, while recognizing this election, while the island of Taiwan is not officially recognized by the EU and still claimed by China.
“The EU remains concerned about the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo”specifies the press release from the spokesperson for the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell. “The EU emphasizes that peace and stability across the Strait are essential to security and prosperity in the region and the world”.
In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent its “congratulations” to voters and candidates “having participated in this democratic exercise”, while calling in a press release for “respect for the status quo”.“We reaffirm the crucial nature of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, call for respect for the status quo by all parties, and hope for a resumption of cross-Strait dialogue.”according to this press release below.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly deplores” the United States’ statement on the vote in Taiwan, following Washington’s congratulations to Lai Ching-te. The American declaration “sends a profoundly wrong signal to separatist forces in favor of ‘Taiwan independence'”estimates the Chinese ministry. “We strongly deplore it and firmly oppose it”he added.