U.S. President Joe Biden declared that “[W]e do not support independence.”
The statement comes as Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan’s ruling party, won the country’s election over the weekend.
Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party, which is in favor of Taiwan’s separate identity and rejects China’s territorial claims, was seeking a third term.
U.S. Secretary of State Atony Blinken congratulated Lai on X, writing, “We congratulate Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. We also congratulate the Taiwan people for participating in free and fair elections and demonstrating the strength of their democratic system.”
We congratulate Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan's presidential election. We also congratulate the Taiwan people for participating in free and fair elections and demonstrating the strength of their democratic system.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 13, 2024
House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), along with Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Ranking Member Ami Bera (D-CA) and Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA) also congratulated the people of Taiwan.
“We congratulate the people of Taiwan for completing their eighth democratic presidential election. Today’s election is another milestone for Taiwan’s vibrant and robust democracy,” they wrote. “We condemn Beijing’s attempts to influence the elections through disinformation and military pressure and applaud the people of Taiwan for upholding democratic ideals. We look forward to working with President-elect Lai and Vice President-elect Hsiao to enhance the U.S.-Taiwan economic, cultural, and defense relationship.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) issued a statement on Taiwan’s election.
“We congratulate William Lai on his election as the next President of Taiwan and we are happy to see democracy thriving among the Taiwanese people,” he wrote on X. “The United States is eager to work with President-elect Lai and build on the strong partnership we’ve enjoyed with President Tsai.”
“To underscore the ongoing commitment of Congress to security and democracy, I will be asking the chairs of the relevant House Committees to lead a delegation to Taipei following Lai’s inauguration in May,” Johnson continued. “I am hopeful the United States and Taiwan together will continue promoting the principles of liberty, opportunity and security for all freedom-loving countries and our partners in the Indo-Pacific.”
We congratulate William Lai on his election as the next President of Taiwan and we are happy to see democracy thriving among the Taiwanese people.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 13, 2024
The United States is eager to work with President-elect Lai and build on the strong partnership we’ve enjoyed with President Tsai.…
