Post-Election Biden Reaffirms Opposition to Taiwan Independence: Beijing Influence

President Joe Biden recently underlined that the US does not support Taiwan’s independence. This declaration follows Taiwan’s elections, where voters rejected China and elected the DPP for a third term. The party, led by Taiwan’s vice president Lai Ching-te, has previously opposed Beijing.

Photo from CNBC

Biden’s Bold Stance: No Support for Taiwan Independence Sparks Diplomatic Tensions with China

While leaving the White House for Camp David, President Biden told reporters, “We do not support independence” for Taiwan. This declaration appears to answer Chinese concerns, particularly about Lai Ching-te’s election as president. Lai, a staunch US ally, narrowly defeated Nationalist Party candidate Hou Yu-ih, who promised to develop commerce and diplomacy with China.

While President Xi Jinping supports unification and military action, China has long claimed Taiwan as its own. In keeping with its strategic ambiguity, the US accepts China’s historical claims while maintaining unofficial relations with Taiwan and promising defensive support.

Recent remarks by President Biden suggesting military intervention in the case of a Chinese invasion have strained US-Beijing relations.

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US Pledges Support for Taiwan’s Democracy: Blinken’s Optimism and House Delegation Signal Ongoing Engagement Amidst Tensions

On the election, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Taiwan’s “robust democratic system.” He stressed the US’s commitment to Taiwan Strait peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. Blinken said the US would work with President Lai and other Taiwanese party leaders to strengthen their unofficial ties in keeping with the one-China policy.

Speaker Mike Johnson also plans to send a House delegation to Taipei after President Lai’s inauguration in May. This shows the US’s sustained engagement with Taiwan despite difficult relations with China. As the US balances its responsibilities to Taiwan and Beijing, the geopolitical situation remains fluid.

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