Taipei —
Even though Lai’s inauguration will only take place next May, a number of problems from within and outside the country are already awaiting the new leader.
The victory of Lai Ching-te and the DPP in the Taiwanese presidential election which took place last weekend is a signal that Taipei will continue the policies implemented by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in the international arena, especially regarding diplomatic relations between Taipei and Beijing.
Quoted from the Reuters news agency, Lai Ching-te, who is currently still actively serving as Vice President of Taiwan until he is inaugurated as president in May, stated that he would maintain Taiwan’s status quo and try to build dialogue between Taiwan and China.
“We hope that the two regions in the Taiwan Strait can return to healthy and harmonious relations in the future. Indeed, as you have mentioned, President Tsai Ing-wen has continued to convey good intentions in the past eight years. Unfortunately, China has not given a proper response, ” said Lai in his victory speech (1/13).
This desire received a positive response from DPP supporters, although there were doubts about its implementation because the party lost its majority vote in the current legislative elections. Chang Yu-shan was one of the DPP supporters who attended Lai’s victory declaration.
He told Reuters: “I am a little worried by the fact that none of the three parties has achieved a majority in parliament. However, I think this is a choice made by the Taiwanese people.”
The US appreciated Taiwan’s election results, calling it an example of a successful democracy based on transparency. Quoted from the Associated Press news agency, head of the US delegation Stephen Hadley reaffirmed America’s commitment to Taiwan, when he met Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen with the US delegation on Monday (1/15).
“We look forward to continued relations between Taiwan and the United States under the new administration, as well as joint efforts to maintain cross-strait peace and stability,” he said.
Even so, United States President Joe Biden previously stated that his party still does not support Taiwan independence. The One China Policy or “One China Policy” diplomatic policy means that the United States only recognizes China as the only sovereign country.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying emphasized via her X account that what Taiwan was asking about was China’s internal affairs. The fact that there is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is part of China, Hua said will not change.
This policy was also the reason why Nauru decided to no longer recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country. The island nation in the Pacific has switched to recognizing China. Taipei responded quickly by cutting off all diplomatic relations with Nauru, including withdrawing all diplomatic staff and requesting the closure of the embassy, Monday (1/15).
Nauru’s change in diplomatic stance after the election was seen as part of China’s pressure on Taiwan. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang told the media that since October 2023 his party had received information that China was actively approaching Nauruan political figures, as well as using financial assistance to change the country’s diplomatic policy.
A number of experts predict that similar forms of Chinese diplomatic pressure will continue, at least until Taiwanese President-Elect Lai Ching-te is inaugurated next May. (no/no)