US President Joe Biden commented on Taiwan’s election shortly after the results were announced. He said on the South Lawn, “We do not support independence,” reaffirming the United States’ commitment to the One China policy. This policy acknowledges China’s claim to Taiwan while also maintaining informal ties with the island’s government.
Taiwan held its presidential election on Saturday, re-electing its incumbent leader, Vice President Lai Ching-te, also known as William.
Lai is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, which has held power for three consecutive terms. The election results will influence Taiwan’s future relations with China, which considers the island part of its territory and has threatened to use force if it declares independence.
Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November and warned him not to interfere with Taiwan’s election. He stated that he was committed to the One China agreement and had no intention of changing it. He also stated that he will continue to send unofficial delegations of former US officials to Taiwan, as he did in 2021 and 2022.
Biden will send ‘unofficial delegations’ to Taiwan
A senior Biden administration official explained, “Given our unofficial relationship with Taiwan, we frequently send high-level unofficial delegations of former government officials to Taipei. This is something we’ve been doing for decades.
The United States announced on Wednesday that it will send another unofficial delegation to Taiwan to congratulate Lai on his victory.