KUALA LUMPUR – Taiwan’s post-election message to China is simple: face reality, respect the polls and give up its reunification agenda.
Taiwan’s firm response came after China insisted that the island republic is part of China and the Beijing government will continue to uphold its ‘one-China’ principle.
According to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, China’s “wild fallacies” that “Taiwan issues are China’s internal affairs” are inconsistent with the understanding of the international community.
“The (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Beijing authorities to respect the election results, face reality and give up suppressing Taiwan in order for positive cross-strait interactions to return to the right track.
“This election in our country once again demonstrates the maturity and stability of Taiwan’s democratic politics. It is also the clearest and firmest answer and expectation of the Taiwanese people to the situation in the Taiwan Strait.”
As for China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Beijing remains firm that the ‘one-China’ principle is the “solid anchor for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait”.
“The basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change. The Chinese government’s position of upholding the one-China principle and opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism, ‘two Chinas’ and ‘one China, one Taiwan’ will not change.
“We believe that the international community will continue to adhere to the one-China principle.”
Last night, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Lai Ching-te, 64, was elected Taiwan president after polling 41.6% of the ballots cast.
His win marks a third term in power for the DPP, which won the presidency in 2016 with the election of Tsai Ing-wen.
Lai, who was vice-president in Tsai’s administration, is expected to continue his predecessor’s policies and reject China’s claims over Taiwan.
Beijing, for its part, branded Lai a threat to peace ahead of the election.
In his speech at the DPP’s campaign headquarters, Lai hailed the win as “a victory for the community of democracies”.
He also vowed to “to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threat and intimidation from China” and was determined to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. – January 14, 2024