China mentioned “reunification” with Taiwan was nonetheless “inevitable” after president-elect William Lai Ching-te gained Saturday’s pivotal election on the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its personal.
Lai, from the governing Democratic Progressive Celebration (DPP), gained regardless of warnings from China to not vote for him. He took 40.1 % of votes solid, in line with outcomes from the Central Election Fee.
“I wish to thank the Taiwanese folks for writing a brand new chapter in our democracy,” Lai mentioned in his victory speech. “We’re telling the worldwide neighborhood that between democracy and authoritarianism, we’ll stand on the facet of democracy.”
Within the run-up to the polls, China denounced Lai as a harmful separatist, mentioned he could be a risk to peace within the area if he gained, and referred to as the elections a alternative between “peace and conflict”.
Listed here are a few of the reactions to the pivotal vote:
China
“Taiwan is China’s Taiwan,” Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Workplace spokesperson, Chen Binhua, mentioned in an announcement carried by state information company Xinhua, including that the DPP “can not characterize the mainstream public opinion on the island”.
However he added that the vote “won’t impede the inevitable development of China’s reunification”.
Whereas Taiwan has been self-governed for the reason that Nineteen Forties, China nonetheless claims the island and its outlying territories.
The vote “won’t change the essential panorama and growth development of cross-Strait relations,” Binhua mentioned. Beijing’s stance on “realising nationwide reunification stays constant, and our dedication is as agency as rock.”
China “firmly oppose[s] the separatist actions geared toward ‘Taiwan independence’ in addition to international interference”, he added.
United States
The US does “not assist” the independence of Taiwan, President Joe Biden mentioned, after being requested by reporters for Washington’s place on Taiwan’s presidential vote.
The Biden administration has feared that the election, transition and new administration would escalate battle with Beijing.
In an announcement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken saluted Lai on his victory and hailed the “strong democratic system and electoral course of” of the self-ruled island.
Blinken added that Washington is “dedicated to sustaining cross-Strait peace and stability, and the peaceable decision of variations, free from coercion and stress”.
Russia
Russian Overseas Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mentioned in an announcement that Moscow continued to view Taiwan as an integral a part of China.
Moscow has repeatedly proven its assist of Beijing’s “One China” coverage on the difficulty of Taiwan.
European Union
The EU “welcomed” Taiwan’s presidential election and congratulated all of the voters who “participated on this democratic train”, an announcement mentioned, with out mentioning president-elect Lai.
“The EU stays involved about rising tensions within the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral try to vary the established order,” mentioned the assertion by a spokesperson for EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell.
“The European Union underlines that peace and stability throughout the Taiwan Strait are key to regional and world safety and prosperity.”
United Kingdom
British Overseas Minister David Cameron congratulated Lai and mentioned he hoped Taiwan and China would renew efforts to resolve their variations peacefully.
“The elections in the present day are testomony to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” Cameron mentioned in an announcement.
“I hope that the 2 sides of the Taiwan Strait will renew efforts to resolve variations peacefully by constructive dialogue, with out the risk or use of power or coercion.”
Japan
Japan congratulated the sleek implementation of the democratic election and Lai on his victory.
“We count on that the difficulty surrounding Taiwan will likely be resolved peacefully by dialogue, thereby contributing to the peace and stability within the area,” it mentioned in an announcement, including that Taiwan was an “extraordinarily essential accomplice” with whom Tokyo aimed to “deepen cooperation”.
Canada
Canada’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs congratulated the folks of Taiwan after the elections, however didn’t point out Lai.
“Guided by the pillars of democracy, human rights and peace, Canada seems to be ahead to advance its people-to-people, science, commerce & funding ties,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement on the social media platform X.
Lithuania
Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s minister of international affairs, congratulated Lai on his victory.
“Along with the folks of Taiwan we have a good time the energy of free and truthful democracy,” he mentioned in a put up on X.
