A high-level United States delegation is in Taiwan for a three-day trip to exchange views on bilateral issues and prospects after voters elected Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the self-ruled island’s next president.
Lai became Taiwan’s president-elect on Saturday, beating Hou Yu-ih of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan’s People Party (TPP).
Lai, the incumbent vice-president, has vowed to continue outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen’s efforts to bolster diplomatic ties with democratic allies and protect the island from “threats and intimidation” by China, which claims Taiwan as its own.
Key strategic allies of Taiwan extended congratulations following his triumph and the elections. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, commended Taiwan for its “strong democratic system and electoral process,” while Japan acclaimed the “seamless execution” of the democratic election.
However, Beijing said the DPP “did not represent mainstream public opinion,” referring to Lai garnering only 40% of the vote and the DPP failing to retain a majority in the legislature, adding that the result would not stop “the inevitable trend of China’s reunification.”
The Chinese foreign ministry on Sunday rebuked the U.S. State Department’s statement on the election as “seriously” in breach of the one-China principle, sending a wrong signal to the “Taiwan independence separatist forces”.
The ministry’s statement reiterated the “Taiwan question” – which Beijing calls the political foundation of bilateral relations – as the first red line that must not be crossed in US-China ties.
Separately, China’s mouthpiece publication, Global Times, warned on Sunday that China has “both the strength and determination to resolve the Taiwan question once and for all once Lai crosses the red line,” noting that the initiative on solving the Taiwan question firmly lies with the Chinese mainland.
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the U.S.’s de facto embassy in the island, said in a statement on Sunday a delegation made up of former senior officials would arrive in Taipei and meet with “a range of leading political figures” on Monday.
“As we have done previously following a Taiwan presidential election, the U.S. government has asked former senior officials to travel in their private capacity to Taiwan. Former National Security Advisor Stephen J. Hadley and former Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg will arrive in Taipei on January 14,” said the statement, adding that AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger will accompany the pair.
The unofficial visit will “convey congratulations from the American people to Taiwan on its successful elections, support for Taiwan’s continued prosperity and growth, and our longstanding interest in cross-Strait peace and stability,” the statement added.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said on the same day that the delegation is scheduled to meet President Tsai and other top Taiwan government officials.
The delegation symbolizes bipartisan government support for Taiwan and demonstrates that democratic values are key factors in “propelling Taiwan towards the international stage and embracing the world,” according to the ministry.
When asked to comment on Taiwan’s election during a press briefing on Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated Washington’s position of not supporting Taiwan independence.
In contrast to Beijing’s “one China principle,” which holds that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and that it should be governed from Beijing, Washington espouses a “one China policy” that takes no position on sovereignty over Taiwan. While acknowledging Beijing’s position, Washington does not take a stance on its validity.
Edited by Elaine Chan and Mike Firn.
