In meetings with an unofficial delegation from Washington, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen and President-elect William Lai Ching-te lauded the United States’ support for the self-governing island. This came as Beijing was enraged by the congratulations of Taiwan by foreign governments on its election over the weekend.
On Sunday, a United States delegation, including former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, arrived in Taiwan. This visit coincided with the day following the election of Lai, the current vice president, to an unprecedented third term for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Lai has been frequently labeled a “separatist” by Beijing, which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to accomplish its goals. It established “peace and war” as the dichotomy of the election.
Lai ultimately received 40.1% of the vote, while Hou Yu-ih, his closest opponent and a member of the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party, secured 33.5 percent.
During his meeting with delegates on Monday at the DPP headquarters, Lai stated that democracy and freedom were “the most valuable assets for the Taiwanese people, and the sacred mountains serve to defend Taiwan.”
Taiwan-US Partnership: Enduring Significance
Lai continued by stating that they constituted “the cornerstone of the enduring stability in the Taiwan-US partnership” and were “core values” that both the United States and Taiwan uphold.
He informed the delegation that their visit was “meaningful” and a testament to the robustness of the US-Taiwan partnership.
He stated, “It is extremely significant for Taiwan.”
On May 20, Lai will formally assume the presidency.
President Tsai Ing-wen, whom the delegation had previously encountered, was deemed ineligible for re-election after completing two terms in office.
Hadley stated, “Taiwan’s democracy has served as a model for the rest of the world,” in remarks attributed to Tsai’s office.
“We are delighted to meet with you today to reaffirm that the United States remains steadfast, principled, and bipartisan in its support for Taiwan and that it stands in solidarity with its allies,” he stated.
“Your visit holds immense significance. It highlights the close and steadfast partnership between Taiwan and the United States and unequivocally demonstrates US support for Taiwan’s democracy,” Tsai told the delegates.
Poetry of words
According to the DPP, the 23.5 million inhabitants of Taiwan should determine the island’s future. The DPP has stated its support for the status quo, in which Taiwan governs itself without formally declaring independence.
Beijing continues to regard the island as part of its territory. It stated following the election that “peaceful reunification” was a certainty.
It launched an offensive against nations congratulating Taiwan on the election’s seamless execution.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s congratulations to Lai on his victory: “The fundamental fact that… Taiwan is a part of China and will not change.”
Taiwan refuted that statement because it “wholly contradicts international consensus and the present state of affairs in the Taiwan Strait.” It violates the will of the people of Taiwan and the expectations of democratic communities worldwide to maintain democratic values. Such platitudes lack merit for refutation.
Washington maintains a policy of “strategic ambiguity” regarding the island. Although it maintains official diplomatic relations with Beijing, its duty to Taiwan is to provide support, and it vehemently opposes any endeavor to alter the existing state of affairs forcibly.
A visit by a United States delegation immediately following an election had not occurred since 2016 when Tsai was first elected president.
During that period, Beijing declined her offer of negotiations and severed all diplomatic ties with the island.
Over the subsequent years, it has deployed navy ships and fighter aircraft into the waters and airspace surrounding the island while pressuring the few formal allies of Taiwan to change their allegiance.
After his triumph, Lai expressed his desire for “healthy and orderly” relations with China and reaffirmed his inclination towards negotiations founded on principles of dignity and equality.
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Election Fallout and International Relations
Despite Lai’s electoral victory, the DPP finished with one fewer seat in the legislature than the KMT. The Taiwan People’s Party, a relative newcomer that won eight of the 113 seats despite neither party holding a majority, appears poised to gain increasing policymaking influence.
According to Xinhua news agency, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office stated in response to those results that “the Democratic Progressive Party cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island.”
In retaliation, the Foreign Ministry of Taiwan urged China “to acknowledge the election outcomes, confront reality, and cease its repressive measures against Taiwan.”
The United States and China have been engaged in efforts to mend relations that have been strained by a variety of issues in recent months, including trade, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the alleged sighting of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the United States last year, in addition to Taiwan.
The de facto US embassy in Taiwan, the American Institute, reported that the US government had requested that Hadley and Steinberg “visit Taiwan in their capacity.”
Hadley expressed eagerness to meet Lai and additional political leaders.
“Under the new administration, we anticipate the continuation of our relationship with the United States and Taiwan, as well as our joint efforts to preserve the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait.”
The government of Taiwan asserts that Beijing lacks the authority to speak on behalf of or represent the people of Taiwan internationally.
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