US and Japan "Congratulate Tsai Ing-wen on Re-election... Proof of the Strength of the Democratic System"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] On the 11th, following the re-election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who emphasizes Taiwan's independence, the governments of the United States and Japan expressed their welcome.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu announced regarding President Tsai's re-election, "We congratulate the smooth conduct of the democratic election and the re-election of Tsai Ing-wen."

He stated, "(Taiwan) is an important partner and a valued friend with whom we share fundamental values, close economic ties, and people-to-people exchanges," adding, "Based on the position of maintaining relations with Taiwan as a non-governmental practical relationship, we intend to work to further deepen cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan." He also added, "Regarding issues surrounding Taiwan, we hope for peaceful resolution through direct dialogue between the parties involved and for contributing to regional peace and stability."

The Asahi Shimbun interpreted the Taiwan election results as "Taiwan, having witnessed the situation in Hong Kong firsthand, answered 'No' to One Country, Two Systems (Ilguk Yangje, 一國兩制)." The Nihon Keizai Shimbun commented, "China needs to respect the will of the Taiwanese people."

However, the Mainichi Shimbun analyzed that while the Japanese government welcomes President Tsai's re-election, it is also concerned that rising tensions between China and Taiwan could destabilize the situation in the East Asian region.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the 11th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also issued a statement congratulating President Tsai on her re-election. He said, "We also congratulate the people of Taiwan for once again demonstrating the strength of Taiwan's robust democratic system."

He emphasized, "Thanks to Taiwan's free market economy and democracy linked with a vibrant civil society, it has become a model in the Indo-Pacific region and a force for the global public good."

Secretary Pompeo highly praised Taiwan's political and economic system, which differs from China's, and emphasized the affinity between the United States and Taiwan. He stressed, "The United States and Taiwan are not merely partners; we share political, economic, and international values and are members of a democratic community united together."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.