(EFE).- The government of Taiwan today called on the Chinese authorities to “respect the election results and face the reality on the island” after Beijing declared that the victory of the current vice president and candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party (PDP) , William Lai (Lai Ching-te), does not represent the “majority opinion” of Taiwanese society.
“The Foreign Ministry calls on the authorities in Beijing to respect the results, face reality and abandon repression against Taiwan,” Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a statement, alluding to recent demonstrations by Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Office Affairs of the State Council (Chinese Executive Branch).
“Only in this way can positive cross-Strait interactions get back on track as quickly as possible and respond positively to the international community’s repeated calls to maintain cross-Strait peace, stability and prosperity,” the text continued.
In a statement reported by state media today, the Chinese official said that Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections, which take place on January 13, “do not reflect the common desire of compatriots on both sides of the Strait to forge closer ties.” “will change,” but at the same time it reiterated its commitment to the 1992 consensus, which recognizes the “One China” principle.
Taipei expressed its “dissatisfaction” and “condemnation” over the statement that Taiwan was an “internal matter” of China, which was “completely inconsistent with international understanding and the current situation in the Strait.”
Taipei expressed its “dissatisfaction” and “condemnation” over the statement that Taiwan was an “internal matter” of China
“This election once again demonstrates the maturity and stability of Taiwan’s democratic politics. It is also the clearest and most decisive response and expectation of the Taiwanese people to the situation in the Taiwan Strait,” the Foreign Ministry statement said.
This Saturday, Taiwan reinforced its commitment to sovereignty with the election of Lai as the island's president for the next four years, an election result that presages an even greater escalation of tensions with China, which views this territory as a rebellious province.
When 100% of the tables were counted, the official candidate received 40.05% of the votes, beating the opposition candidates of the Kuomintang (KMT), Hou Yu-ih (33.49% of the votes) and the Popular Party of Taiwan (PPT ). ), Ko Wen-Je (26.46%).
In an appearance to the foreign press after learning of his victory, Lai asserted that these elections showed the international community that between “democracy and authoritarianism,” the Taiwanese had chosen to remain “on the side of democracy.”
Taiwan – where the Chinese Nationalist army withdrew after being defeated by communist troops in the civil war – has been governed autonomously since 1949, although China claims sovereignty over the island, which it considers a rebellious province whose “reunification” has not decided to apply to exclude violence.
However, William Lai's triumph portends four more years of tensions with China, which views the winner as a separatist, is committed to reunifying the country and believes the elections did not reflect the unanimous feelings of the population.
“The results are not good for China,” the director of the Chinese Political Observatory, Xulio Ríos, told Efe.
William Lai's victory heralds four more years of tensions with China, which views the winner as a separatist
However, the expert points out that “it is not foreseeable” that Beijing will react “abruptly and untimely,” as this would only increase discontent.
“What is forcing him is to significantly reconsider his policy towards Taiwan, as it shows clear signs of exhaustion,” says Ríos, who believes that the gestures of both parties will “be the end of May 20, when Lai takes office.” be important.”
The exchange of accusations between Beijing and Taipei after the elections highlights a relationship that has deteriorated in recent years and for which there are no signs of improving any time soon.
China responded to Lai's victory by ensuring that the result did not reflect the majority opinion of Taiwanese society about what the relationship with China should be.
A priori, the election of Lai means a continuation of the policies pursued by her predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in a less favorable context at the national level, since the PDP will have to negotiate with the formed opposition after losing the legislative majority. Alongside the PPT is the Kuomintang (KMT ) ranks second in the number of presidential votes (33.49%), but enjoys support of up to 40% in the parliamentary elections.
China-Taiwan dialogue, suspended for eight years, is unlikely to resume under Lai's presidency, given Beijing's limited sympathies for the president-elect, whom it describes as a “separatist”, Sana Hashmi told EFE Asia Exchange Foundation.
“I don't think it depends on how Taiwan approaches China, but rather on what concessions the Chinese side is willing to make. If Beijing wants a dialogue with Taipei, it will have a dialogue, but I don't think it will happen without conditions from the Chinese side,” he claimed, referring to the approach historically taken by the Chinese government that there is only one China exists and that the People's Republic is the only representative of it.
Chen Ming-chi, an associate professor at National Tsing Hua University, also decided in the short term to maintain the status quo in the Formosa Strait because the three parties involved (China, Taiwan and the United States) are committed to “de-escalation “are interested. Release the tension and focus your attention on the inner level.
“Now there are many domestic problems in China, the economy is not doing well… Xi Jinping will use more resources and pay more attention to his domestic problems,” Chen said in a conversation with a group of journalists this Sunday. which pointed out that the Chinese government will try to exploit the PDP's parliamentary weakness to “corner” Lai.
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