Biden stresses US ‘does not support independence’ for Taiwan as world leaders react to election win
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, […]
Anti-Communist Lai Ching-te Wins Taiwan Presidential Election, Disappointing China
Anti-communist Democratic Progressive Party (DP) candidate Lai Ching-toku won Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday, defeating two left-wing rivals in a campaign that emphasized Taiwan's sovereignty in the face of growing threats from China. Mr. Lai, sometimes known by his Western name William Lai, is the current vice president and the first candidate in Taiwan's democracy's […]
Taiwan voters re-elect anti-China ruling party to third term
Voters in Taiwan on Saturday defied intense pressure from China to re-elect the ruling Democratic Progressive Party to a third consecutive term, electing the island's least popular candidate and threatening the island's democracy with its communist neighbor. This is likely to further heighten tensions between the two parties. Incumbent Vice President Lai Qingde, branded a […]
Blinken offers congratulations to Lai Ching-te for victory in Taiwan election
Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday and congratulated Lai Ching-toku (also known as William) on his victory. Blinken: “The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-toku on his victory in Taiwan's presidential election.'' stated in a statement Shared by the State Department. “We also congratulate the Taiwanese people for once […]
China Warns Ahead of Election It Will ‘Smash Any Taiwan Independence Plots’
In an attempt to bully Taiwanese voters, China's Ministry of Defense warned on Friday that it would “crush any Taiwanese independence conspiracy” and warned Taiwanese to make the “wrong” choice by voting for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate William Lai Qingde. If he did, he was implicitly threatened. Saturday. Mr. Zhang Xiaogang, Spokesperson of the […]
US sending unofficial delegation to Taiwan after elections
The United States plans to send an unofficial delegation to Taiwan after the island concludes its high-stakes presidential election on Saturday. A senior administration official said the delegation would include former U.S. officials, but did not say who would be sent and when. “Given the unofficial relationship with Taiwan, we often send high-level unofficial delegations […]
China tells US it will never compromise on Taiwan as defense talks resume
This week, Chinese and U.S. officials held military talks for the first time since the channel was suspended in 2022, with China informing the United States that it would not make “any concessions or compromises” regarding the autonomous island nation of Taiwan. Michael Chase, the Pentagon's top Chinese official, said Tuesday he will hold two […]
Greater engagement with Taiwan is to our mutual benefit
President Biden's recent visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping may have provided a glimmer of hope that tensions between the United States and the People's Republic of China may be easing. Unfortunately, the lack of progress on the key issue of Taiwan serves as a reminder to us that some serious challenges remain and that […]
China sent four ‘spy balloons’ over Taiwan, country’s defense ministry says
China launched four “reconnaissance balloons” over Taiwan on Tuesday, three of them hovering near major air bases, the country's defense ministry said. Three balloons passed by Cheongchuangang Air Base. The air base is home to a number of tactical fighter wings that Taiwan uses to protect the island from Chinese military threats. The fourth ship […]
Taiwan Spots Chinese Balloons near Island Military Base
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense tracked four Chinese balloons as they crossed the Taiwan Strait on Monday and Tuesday. Three of the balloons passed over the center of the island of Taiwan and came very close to the air base in Cheongchuangang before disappearing. Taiwan detected several Chinese balloons passing through the Taiwan Strait last month, […]