Joe Biden says the US does not support Taiwan independence after Taiwanese voters fought back against China and gave the ruling party a third presidential term, though the US hopes to cooperate with Lai and all party leaders in Taiwan to develop their relationship.
Earlier in the day, Taiwan’s presidential candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Lai Ching-te, came to power after strongly rejecting Chinese pressure.
“We do not support independence,” Biden said when asked for reaction to Saturday’s elections.
Biden upset the Chinese government with his comments suggesting the US would defend the island if it was attacked, a departure from the long-standing US stance of “strategic ambiguity.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Lai Ching-te on his victory and reiterated that the US “is committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability, and the peaceful resolution of differences, free from coercion and pressure.”
The Biden administration feared that the election, transition and new administration would escalate conflict with Beijing, so Biden has sought to smooth relations with China, including agreeing to discuss differences on security issues at a summit in California with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.
In a show of support for the government, Biden plans to send an unofficial delegation to the self-governing island, according to a senior Biden administration official. The delegation is likely to include several former senior US officials, but the names have not yet been determined.
The United States changed diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and has long said it does not support Taiwan’s formal declaration of independence. Nevertheless, it maintains unofficial relations with the self-governing island and remains its most important supporter and arms supplier.
