Government Expects "Peaceful Development of Cross-Strait Relations" Following Taiwan Election Victory of 'Pro-US Candidate'

President-elect Lai Ching-te, who won the Taiwan presidential election
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The government expressed its position on the Taiwanese presidential election in which Lai Ching-te, the pro-American candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (Minjindang), won, stating that it "hopes to continue enhancing practical cooperation with Taiwan in various fields."

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on the 14th, "We have closely observed the election results in Taiwan, and there is no change in our government's basic stance regarding Taiwan," adding this.

Earlier, Lai Ching-te was elected in the 16th Taiwanese presidential election held the previous day with 40.05% of the vote. Hou Yu-ih, the pro-China candidate from the main opposition Kuomintang party, came in second with 33.49%.

Concerns have arisen that relations between China and Taiwan may deteriorate following the victory of the anti-China, pro-American candidate Lai Ching-te.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, China's agency responsible for Taiwan, criticized the results in a statement after the outcome was announced, saying, "The results of these two elections (presidential and legislative) in the Taiwan region show that the Minjindang does not represent the mainstream public opinion on the island (Taiwan)."

On the other hand, U.S. President Joe Biden took a cautious stance on the Taiwan election results, stating that he "does not support (Taiwan independence)." This is interpreted as a position respecting the "One China Principle," which China consistently emphasizes in cross-strait (China-Taiwan) relations.

In response, our government explained, "We hope that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait will be maintained and that cross-strait relations will develop peacefully."

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