Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te thanked the United States for its support during a meeting with an American delegation on Monday, prompting Beijing to immediately respond by rejecting any official exchanges between Taipei and Washington.
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“I am grateful to the United States for its strong support of Taiwanese democracy, which shows the close and strong partnership between Taiwan and the United States,” Lai Ching-te said two days after his election, “even as China continues to harass.” Taiwan through military and other activities.
In response, Beijing said it was “firmly opposed” to any official contact between Taiwan and the United States and also asserted that it “rejects any interference by the United States in Taiwan's affairs, in any form and under any pretext.” always.”
Under intense pressure from China, which considers Taiwan one of its provinces, the island has also lost one of its rare diplomatic allies with the Pacific microstate Nauru's announcement that it would cut ties with Taipei.
Taiwan is currently officially recognized by only 12 countries in the world.
Taipei denounced a “surprise attack” and accused Beijing of paying Nauru “economic aid” in order to exert influence over the country in order to “suffocate” Taiwan on the international stage.
“As the world congratulates Taiwan on its successful elections, Beijing has launched a diplomatic crackdown that represents a response to democratic values and an obvious challenge to the stability of the international order,” said Olivia Lin, presidential office spokeswoman.
In Taipei, the Nauru flag was lowered outside the embassy at midday as the announcement was made official. Shortly afterwards, Beijing said it “welcomed” Nauru’s decision.
“Congratulations”
A little earlier, the American delegation, presented as informal, had met outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen, as well as Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who welcomed a “very significant visit.”
The commission, made up of former national security adviser Stephen Hadley, former deputy secretary of state James Steinberg and American Institute in Taiwan president Laura Rosenberger, is scheduled to leave Taiwan on Tuesday.
“We are here to extend our congratulations to you and the people of Taiwan on the presidential and legislative elections,” said Stephen Hadley, praising Taiwanese democracy as “an example for the whole world.”
Washington had already sent an informal delegation to Taiwan in 2016 after a presidential election.
The visit comes at the end of an election campaign marked by growing diplomatic and military pressure from China, which sees Taiwan as one of its provinces and will be reunified by force if necessary.
Lai Ching-te, the outgoing vice president, views the island as de facto independent and has vowed to protect it from “threats and intimidation” from Beijing.
The status of Taiwan is arguably the most explosive issue in relations between China and the United States.
While Washington has recognized Beijing to the detriment of Taipei since 1979, the American Congress has simultaneously mandated the supply of arms to Taiwan with the stated aim of dissuading China from any desire to expand.
During the election campaign, China urged Washington not to “interfere in the presidential election in Taiwan.”
“Dead end”
China stressed on Saturday evening that the outcome of this election does not change “the inevitable trend towards the reunification of China.”
Lai Ching-te, 64, will take office on May 20 alongside his vice president Hsiao Bi-khim, Taipei's former representative in Washington.
The man who in the past described himself as the “pragmatic architect of Taiwan's independence” has now toned down his speech: now, like Tsai Ing-wen, he takes a more nuanced position and reiterates that an independence process is not necessary because the island has one In my opinion, this status is de facto.
The president-elect promises to stand “on the side of democracy” and also plans to “continue exchanges and cooperation with China,” Taiwan's first trading partner, a territory of 23 million people located 180 kilometers from the Chinese coast is located and is considered by China as one of its provinces.
A conflict in the strait that separates them would be catastrophic for the global economy: more than 50% of the world's containers are transported there and the island produces 70% of the world's semiconductors.