TAIPEI—Taiwan’s foreign ministry sharply criticized Russia on Sunday after Moscow took Beijing’s side and criticized the island’s democratic elections a day earlier.
On Taiwan’s elections, Russia’s foreign ministry issued a statement parroting China’s stance, saying that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of China” and the relations between the two neighbors “constitute an internal matter for China.”
“Not only does it not help stabilize the situation in the Taiwan Strait, it once again proves the harm caused by the Chinese and Russian authoritarians to international peace and stability and the rules-based international order,” the ministry added.
The ministry reiterated that Taiwan “will not succumb to pressure and diplomatic suppression” from the Chinese regime. It concluded by saying that Taiwan will continue to partner with allies to safeguard global and regional peace and stability.
Taiwan
Mr. Lai’s victory was a setback for the Chinese regime, which has traditionally favored political candidates belonging to Taiwan’s Beijing-friendly Kuomintang Party (KMT). On Saturday, the KMT presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, who is the current New Taipei City Mayor, finished in second place with 33 percent of the votes.The Chinese regime is upset that many countries have chosen to congratulate Taiwan on its elections. It has lodged “solemn” complaints to Japan’s foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department over their statements and voiced opposition to remarks released by the UK and the EU.
“The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election. We also congratulate the Taiwan people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process,” the State Department said in a statement.
“We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values, and to further our longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the U.S. one China policy.”
“It’s an honor to return to Taiwan [with] 2 distinguished former senior U.S. officials to convey congratulations from the American [people] to Taiwan on its successful election, support for Taiwan’s continued prosperity & growth and our longstanding interest in cross-Strait peace & stability,” Ms. Rosenberger wrote.
In recent years, the Chinese regime has repeatedly sent warplanes and warships to areas near Taiwan, as part of its coercion tactics against the Taiwanese government. Since December, it stepped up its pressure on the island, sending balloons across the sensitive median line of the Taiwan Strait, with some even flying directly above the island.