President Biden had a short message for Taiwan after its election of a new president on Saturday.

“We do not support independence,” Biden said on the South Lawn Saturday.

Taiwan voters elected Vice President Lai Ching-te, who goes by William, as president Saturday, keeping the ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party in power for its third straight term.

The result of the election will determine the country’s relations with China for the next four years. China claims to rule the strip of water between the countries and claims sovereignty over the island despite it being self-governed for nearly three-quarters of a century.

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    8 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    China previously warned that the election was critical, as voters could be choosing between war and peace.

    Biden’s stance reinforces the One China policy in recognizing Beijing’s claims that Taiwan is historically part of the mainland.

    After Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Nov., he said he “made clear” China should not interfere in Taiwan’s election.

    The U.S. announced Wednesday that it would be sending an unofficial delegation to Taiwan after the island conducted its election.

    It’s unknown how China will react to the new delegation and Lai’s win, but the country previously told the U.S. that it will “not make any concession or compromise” on Taiwan.

    Lai, who said he is open to talks with China, posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter thanking voters for electing him and pledged to uphold peace in the Taiwan Straight and to be “a force of good in the international community.”


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