TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As foreign leaders react to Taiwan’s presidential election, the U.S., U.K., Japan, and France drew anger from China for congratulating president-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
China rejected Lai's presidential win on Saturday (Jan. 13), saying the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not reflect mainstream public opinion. It warned other countries to not interfere in its “internal affairs” and affirmed its commitment “to unify with the island.”
The U.S. congratulated Lai, while President Joe Biden, who plans to send a delegation to Taipei next week, sought to reassure Beijing by adding, "We do not support independence.” Nevertheless, China on Sunday (Jan. 14) said the U.S. government’s message “goes against the U.S.' political commitment of maintaining only cultural, commercial, and other unofficial relations with the Taiwan region” and “sends a wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”
Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko in a press release also congratulated Taiwan on “the smooth implementation of the democratic election” and Lai on his victory. Kamikawa called Taiwan “an extremely crucial partner and an important friend,” and said Japan will deepen “cooperation and exchanges” on a “non-governmental basis.”
The Chinese embassy in Japan responded on Sunday, calling Kamikawa’s statement "a serious interference in China's internal affairs.” "We express resolute opposition to this, and have lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side," it said.
In the U.K., Foreign Secretary David Cameron called the elections a “testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy.” He offered “warm congratulations” to the people of Taiwan, Lai, and his party, to which the Chinese embassy in the U.K. replied it “firmly opposed the wrong practices of the British side.”
Other foreign leaders commenting on Taiwan's elections opted not to directly or publicly congratulate Lai or use the term "president." They instead reiterated their desire to see peace and stability maintained across the Taiwan Strait.
The French Foreign Ministry on Sunday acknowledged "all the voters and candidates" who took part in the "democratic exercise," but it did not name Lai or his party. This goes against France's routine practice of congratulating the election winners of other countries by name.
Nevertheless, the Chinese embassy in France said the French statement was a "provocation" because it applauded a "separatist politician." It also rebuked the statement's praise of Taiwan's democracy, accusing the DPP of corruption and the political repression of opponents.
The European Union released a statement saying it commends “all the voters who participated in this democratic exercise” but did not mention Lai. The E.U. emphasized its concerns over tensions in the Taiwan Strait and opposition to “any unilateral attempt to change the status quo.”
Similarly, a South Korean foreign ministry official said, "We expect the peaceful development of cross-strait relations,” noting that peace in the Taiwan Strait is "essential" for stability on the Korean Peninsula and for regional prosperity, per Yonhap News Agency.
However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reaffirmed Beijing’s position after the elections, stating “Taiwan is an integral part of China.”
Other countries and leaders that offered their congratulations on the successful conclusion of Taiwan’s elections include Singapore, Australia, Eswatini, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena, Lithuanian parliament speaker Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Germany's Federal Foreign Office, and the Dalai Lama.
Although Lai won the presidency, the DPP lost its majority in the Legislative Yuan, which will constrain Lai’s policymaking for the next four years.
