The government is closely watching the results of the victory of the pro-US and anti-China Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-de in Taiwan’s presidential election and is maintaining a balanced diplomacy strategy.
According to the President’s Office on the 16th, the government is not preparing to dispatch a delegation to congratulate candidate Lai on his election.
A senior official in the Presidential Office said, “There is nothing under review (about dispatching a delegation, etc.).” Another Presidential Office official said, “The Taipei representative office is responding accordingly.”
In Taiwan’s 16th presidential election on the 13th, Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai was elected, defeating pro-Beijing main opposition Kuomintang candidate Hou Yui and second opposition People’s Party candidate Kirwanger.
Because Taiwan’s presidential election could be directly related to sensitive issues such as cross-Strait (China-Taiwan) relations and the South China Sea, attention from around the world, including Korea, was focused. If Taiwan’s regime changes, Korea’s policies, including China’s diplomacy, will have to be revised, so the government has been closely monitoring the situation.
After Taiwan’s presidential election, the government announced that it would maintain the existing principle of ‘One China’. While strengthening cooperative relations with China based on ‘mutual respect’ and ‘common interests’, the government has maintained a kind of ‘two-track strategy’ that opposes ‘change of the status quo by force’, including peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. . President Yoon has expressed this position several times since his inauguration.
The Yoon Seok-yeol government has been working to improve relations with China amid strengthening cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan. This is because cooperation with China is essential to keep North Korea in check as the threat from North Korea becomes more sophisticated. Korea, Japan, and China are also continuing to coordinate efforts to hold a Korea-Japan-China summit in Seoul this year.
The President’s Office is looking into various issues, including tensions following the results of Taiwan’s presidential election and supply chain. A senior official in the Presidential Office said, “We are examining the impact (of the election results) from various aspects and considering preparedness measures.”
The war of nerves between the United States and China over the results of Taiwan’s presidential election is also something we should pay attention to.
After Taiwan’s presidential election, the United States dispatched an unofficial delegation and contacted President-elect Lai. This is the first time that the United States has dispatched an unofficial delegation immediately after Taiwan’s presidential election since 2016, shortly after President Tsai Ing-wen was elected. Mitsuo Ohashi, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, a Japan-Taiwan contact organization, also held a meeting with President-elect Lai.
President-elect Lai met with the U.S. unofficial delegation and urged continued support from the U.S., saying, “I am grateful to the U.S. for demonstrating its close cooperative relationship with Taiwan and for providing strong support for Taiwan’s democracy.”
China is protesting. In relation to the congratulatory messages sent by some countries, including the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, regarding Taiwan’s presidential election, China said, “China’s comments are contrary to the ‘One China’ principle, such as saying ‘congratulations’ on the election results through statements by the relevant countries.” He did not hide his displeasure, saying, “I express strong dissatisfaction and staunch opposition to what was done.”
Regarding the U.S. unofficial delegation’s meeting with President-elect Lai, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maoning said, “We firmly oppose the U.S. interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.