President Joe Biden commented on Taiwan’s election results by reiterating support for China.
“We do not support independence,” Biden said of Taiwan on Saturday.
Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te declared victory in the island’s presidential election on Friday evening despite disapproval from the Chinese Communist Party. Lai was the pro-sovereignty candidate. The White House did not endorse any candidate in the race.
“In the future, we hope that China will recognize the new situation and understand that only peace benefits both sides of the strait,” Lai said.
“We congratulate Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded in a statement. “We also congratulate the Taiwan people for participating in free and fair elections and demonstrating the strength of their democratic system.”
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Senior Biden administration officials condemned any attempt to interfere with Taiwan’s election. Chinese President Xi Jinping has long predicted the island will one day reunite with mainland China. With Biden’s comments Saturday, he is agreeing implicitly with Xi’s One China policy.
An unofficial U.S. delegation is expected to arrive in Taiwan following the election. Biden sent similar delegations in 2022 and 2021.
