President Joe Biden offered no congratulations or words of support to Taiwan's next president, Lai Ching-tak, after Saturday's election victory, telling reporters only that the United States “does not support independence.” Ta.
Mr. Lai of the anti-communist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defeated two left-wing rivals on Saturday, giving his party an unprecedented third term in power. Lai is currently the vice president of the country and will succeed Tsai Ing-wen, the current president of the Democratic Progressive Party.
Taiwan's next president, Mr. Lai Ching-de (centre L), and his vice-presidential candidate, Hsiao Bi-jin (centre R), attend a rally in front of the Democratic Progressive Party headquarters in Taipei after being elected president on January 13, 2024 (Alastair Pike/Alastair Pike/ AFP).
Taiwan is a sovereign nation with its own government and civil institutions completely independent of the Chinese Communist Party. Despite this reality, the Chinese government maintains that Taiwan is a province of China and that the Taiwanese government is a rogue “separatist” organization. Most countries around the world do not maintain formal relations with Taiwan, as the Chinese government forces countries to choose between recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty and allowing diplomatic relations with China. At press time, 12 countries Countries around the world recognize Taiwan's sovereignty after Nauru renounced Taipei this weekend following Lai's election. America is not one of the 12 countries. Former President Jimmy Carter abandoned Taiwan in 1979 to forge ties with the Communist Party.
Even so, America maintain Informal relationships with the Taiwanese government, including arms sales deals. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai on his victory on Saturday, and an unofficial U.S. delegation met with Lai in Taiwan on Monday.
I'm glad to meet you @BoyChairAIT Today we have Laura, Secretary Ordkirk, former Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg, and former National Security Advisor Hadley. Taiwan, along with our friends in the United States, remains steadfastly committed to promoting democracy, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. pic.twitter.com/yVRCbsWegi
— Lai Ching-te (@ChingteLai) January 15, 2024
But Biden distanced himself. asked If Biden were to “react” to this weekend's presidential election, his only recorded statement would be, “We do not support independence.”
In contrast, Blinken I clapped Taiwan personally congratulated Lai on Saturday for “proving once again the strength of our robust democratic system and electoral process.”
“The partnership between the American people and the people of Taiwan, rooted in democratic values, continues to expand and deepen across economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties,” Blinken added in a statement. “We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan's party leaders to advance our common interests and values and further foster our long-standing informal relationship.”
Blinken added that cooperation with Taiwanese officials remains “consistent” with U.S. commitments to communist China.
Today, the president of Taiwan called me and congratulated me on his election. thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2016
Biden's callous comments about Taiwan's election did little to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from issuing an angry statement aimed at Blinken.
“The US State Department's statement regarding China's elections in the Taiwan region seriously violates the one-China principle. … We strongly regret this, firmly oppose it, and seriously express it to the US side.” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. fuming.
The statement further stated, “China firmly opposes the United States having any form of official exchange with Taiwan or interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext,'' and “China strongly opposes the United States' one-China principle. We ask that you sincerely comply.” …We call on the United States to cease any exchanges of an official nature with Taiwan. ”
The “one China principle” is Communist China's false claim that Taiwan is a province of China.US Continue Another argument, the “One China Policy,” states that there is only one China in the world, but it is not clear whether it recognizes the People's Republic of China or the Republic of China, which is the official name of the federal government of Taiwan. Not yet. .
Flashback: Biden's Secretary of State Blinken says 'I don't support Taiwan independence' during China visit
Lai was elected president despite China's growing threat to invade and “crush” Taiwan's government before the election. It is suspected that the declaration will increase votes for the opposition parties, the pro-China Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Friday that the People's Liberation Army will always maintain high alert and resolutely crush any 'Taiwan independence' separatist plots, and resolutely protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity. We will take all possible measures.” .
Lai appeared to acknowledge the threat in his acceptance speech, which Taiwanese media described as an “olive branch” to the Chinese government.
“The Taiwanese people have successfully resisted efforts by outside forces to influence this election,” Lai said, according to one report. translation inside Hindustan Times. “We are not going to be enemies with China. We can be friends. We are determined to protect Taiwan from continued threats and intimidation from China.”
