World leaders congratulated Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DP) on its historic third term as president, despite President Biden's warning that the United States would not support Taiwan's independence.
Asked to comment on Democratic Progressive Party candidate William Lai's victory over rival Kuomintang after Saturday's general election, Biden told reporters: “We don't support independence.”
Lai, also known by his Chinese name Qingde, declared victory after defeating Kuomintang candidate Hou Youjing, mayor of New Taipei City, in a fiercely contested election. Although the Chinese government had not explicitly stated which candidate it would prioritize, Chinese authorities labeled Lai a “dangerous person.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai and “the people of Taiwan for participating in a free and fair election and demonstrating the strength of our democratic system,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
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Lai Qingde (left) joins forces with vice presidential candidate Xiao Bijin during an election rally in Taipei, Taiwan, on January 11, 2024. (Tsujizawa Tamotsu/Getty Images)
Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairman Young Kim (R-Calif.), Ranking Member Ami Bera (R-Calif.), Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul (R-Texas), Ranking Member Ami Bera (R-Calif.); Members of the House of Representatives, including Commissioner Gregory Meeks (RN.Y), congratulated Mr. Lai and praised Taiwan's “new milestone.”
“We condemn the Chinese government's attempts to influence the election through disinformation and military pressure, and we commend the Taiwanese people for upholding democratic ideals,” the House members said in a statement. “We look forward to working with President-elect Lai and Vice President-elect Hsiao to strengthen the economic, cultural, and defense relationship between the United States and Taiwan.”
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President Biden faced criticism on social media Wednesday over an apparent gaffe when he claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently “losing the Iraq war.” (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron extended his “warm congratulations” to Lai and continued efforts to “peacefully resolve differences through constructive dialogue” with China and Taiwan, The Independent reported. I urged him to do so.
“Today's election is a testament to Taiwan's vibrant democracy,” Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement.
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French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron address the media during a press conference in Paris, December 19, 2023. Britain and France have reiterated their determination that Russia's invasion of Ukraine must fail. (AP Photo/Christoph Ena)
Japan congratulated Lai on the “smooth implementation” of Taiwan's presidential election and Lai's victory, and said, “Based on our position of maintaining a cooperative relationship on a non-governmental basis, we look forward to further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan.” I will try my best,” he promised. ”
“We hope that issues surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue and that this will contribute to peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.
The Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing issued a harsh statement saying that the Democratic Progressive Party “cannot represent mainstream public opinion in Taiwan” and “will not obstruct the inevitable trend of China's unification.”
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The European Union did not mention or directly congratulate Lai on his victory, but simply referred to the need for “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” as “key to regional and global security and prosperity.”
“The European Union welcomes the elections held in Taiwan on January 13 and congratulates all voters who took part in this democratic exercise,” the EU said in a statement on Saturday.
