#Taiwan, #China, #US, #TaiwanPresident, # Lai Ching-te
IBNS: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Taiwan’s newly elected President Lai Ching-te and said the election reflected the strength of the robust democratic system and electoral process of the region.
“The United States is committed to maintaining cross-Strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure,” Blinken said in a statement.
“The partnership between the American people and the people on Taiwan, rooted in democratic values, continues to broaden and deepen across economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” he said.
He said: “We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values, and to further our longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the U.S. one China policy as guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. We are confident that Taiwan will continue to serve as an example for all who strive for freedom, democracy, and prosperity.”
Meanwhile, the new leader of the region also replied to his congratulatory statement and posted on X: “@SecBlinken, thank you for your congratulations. The Taiwan-US partnership is guided by our shared values and interests. Working together with friends from the US, Taiwan is committed to furthering democracy, peace & prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
China opposes US move
China, which considers self-governed Taiwan as its own territory, said the election in Taiwan was an affair within its own region.
“China firmly opposes the US having any form of official interaction with Taiwan and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference.
She said: “The US needs to exercise extreme prudence in handling Taiwan-related issues, and must not obscure and hollow out the one-China principle in any form or send any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
The Taiwan President on Monday met a US delegation following which he posted on X: ” Pleased to meet @BoardChairAIT Laura, Director Oudkirk, former Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg & former National Security Advisor Hadley today. Together with our friends in the US, Taiwan remains steadfast in promoting democracy, peace & prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”
