Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said Monday that the visit of an informal delegation from the United States shortly after Taiwan’s election was “of great importance.”
Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won Saturday’s presidential election by a wide margin, albeit with less than half the vote.
As a result, he will have to face a difficult four-year term without a parliamentary majority, with an opposition that wants to restart a troubled trade deal with China and with the ever-present threat of military action by Beijing.
Lai takes office on May 20.
During a meeting on Monday at the presidential office, Tsai stressed that the visit of the American group is of great importance, “not only to fully express the support of the United States for Taiwan’s democracy, but also to emphasize the close and solid partnership between the two countries,” according to a statement from her office.
According to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto US embassy in Taipei, the group arrived in Taipei on Sunday. The delegation includes former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and AIT President Laura Rosenberger.
Headley told the president that their visit to Taiwan reaffirms that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan is strong, principled and bipartisan, according to a statement issued by Tsai’s office.
“We also look forward to continuing Taiwan-US relations under the leadership of the new government and jointly preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Headley said.
The US delegation also went to the DPP headquarters to convey congratulations to Lai.
During the meeting, Lai said that voters in Taiwan have shown the world their firm belief in democracy and freedom, which are core values shared by both Taiwan and the US and serve as a long-term and solid foundation for partnership.
“In the past eight years, in the face of the rapidly changing world situation, Taiwan has firmly protected democracy and peace, deepened cooperation with democratic partners including the US in a stable and pragmatic manner. We have received broad support and trust from the international community,” said Lai.
“Although China continues to use military and other gray zone activities that threaten Taiwan, it can still respond calmly and cooperate with like-minded partners, including the US, to seek to maintain a peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” Lai said.
Lai told the visiting US envoys that he would continue to rule the country on the foundation established by President Tsai.
“We hope the United States will continue to support Taiwan,” Lai said.
Taiwan has had its own government since 1949, but China considers the autonomous island its territory.
Beijing said on Monday that China “strongly opposes” any official visit between the US and Taiwan.
“China has always firmly opposed any form of official exchange between the United States and Taiwan, and resolutely rejects any interference by the United States in Taiwan’s affairs in any way or under any pretext,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on press conference.
Lai and his party reject China’s claim to Taiwan and say only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
China, on the other hand, has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan, which it calls “sacred” Chinese territory, under its control.
