'We do not support' Taiwan independence Biden says after Lai's victory
2 Min Read
Lai pledges in his victory speech to safeguard Taiwan from what he calls "continuing threats and intimidation from China."
-
Taiwan's President-elect Lai Ching-te (C) addresses supporters during a rally outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taipei on January 13, 2024, after he won the presidential election. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP)
Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te vowed Saturday to defend the island from what he called "intimidation" by China.
Lai secured an unprecedented third consecutive term for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Saturday's poll.
In the days leading up to the poll, Beijing slammed Lai as a dangerous "separatist" and called on voters to make "the correct choice" if they want to avoid military conflict.
China claims Taiwan as its own and says it will not rule out using force to bring about "unification". Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent New Year's address said the "unification" of Taiwan with China was "inevitable".
Beijing said Saturday the election's results would not stop "the inevitable trend of China's reunification."
In a statement issued after Lai emerged as the winner, Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Chen Binhua, said the vote "will not change the basic landscape and development trend of cross-Strait relations," according to state news agency Xinhua.
Beijing's stance on "realising national reunification remains consistent, and our determination is as firm as rock", Chen stressed, adding that "Taiwan is China's Taiwan."
He reiterated that Beijing "firmly oppose(s) the separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' as well as foreign interference."
In his victory speech, Lai told his supporters that he would maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and would also try to pursue exchanges with Beijing, but pledged to "safeguard Taiwan from continuing threats and intimidation from China."
With votes from all polling stations counted, the Central Election Commission said Lai won 40.1% of votes, ahead of Hou Yu-ih of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) with 33.5%.
The victory extends DPP's rule after eight years under outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, who had served the maximum two four-year terms.
Despite the win, Lai's DPP lost its majority in parliament. According to Taiwan's Central Election Commission, KMT took 52 seats, with DPP at 51, TPP eight, and two independents.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai on his election but President Joe Biden said that "we do not support independence."
