The US congratulated President Chen Shui-bian (
The statement, issued by the White House shortly after noon, Washington time, contained an urgent call for calm in the face of the violence that has followed the election and the threat of violence in yesterday's planned protest march, and reiterated the US commitment to retain "close unofficial ties with the people of Taiwan." It also urged stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The statement was released by the White House from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where President George W. Bush was unveiling a new domestic home ownership scheme.
"We join the American people in congratulating the people of Taiwan on the successful conclusion of their March 20 presidential election," the statement began. "Taiwan's Central Election Commission on March 26 officially proclaimed that Mr. Chen Shui-bian has won re-election, and we congratulate Mr. Chen on his victory."
Turning to the uncertainties that continue to surround the election results in view of the challenges posed by the pan blue side, and the danger of a reaction from Beijing, the White House sought to ease the tensions.
"We reject calls for violence, which threatens the very democratic principles to which we and the people of Taiwan are committed," it said.
"The maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the welfare of the people of Taiwan remain of profound importance to the United States."
"To advance these goals, the United States will fulfill its obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act," it said.
The act, enacted after Washington switched diplomatic relations to Beijing, among other things commits Washington to sell weapons to Taiwan and respond should China take hostile military action against Taiwan.
"It falls on Taiwan and Beijing," the White House statement said, "to build the essential foundations for peace and stability by pursuing dialogue through all available means and refraining from unilateral steps that would alter Taiwan's status."
China on Friday issued its most specific comments on the election, warning Taiwan that it would "not look on unconcerned" if the violence in Taiwan got out of control. In his regular press briefing Friday, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher refused to comment on the Chinese warning.
But he said Washington is in contact with China "all the time" on various issues.
The White House congratulatory statement pledged Washington to "continue to maintain close unofficial ties with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan in accordance with our one China policy, as embodies in the Taiwan Relations Act, and our three Joint Communiques with the People's Republic of China."
The communiques were issued in 1972 after President Nixon's ice-breaking trip to Beijing, in 1978 when Washington recognized Beijing, and in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.
The Congressional Taiwan Caucus in the House of Representatives, and the Senate Taiwan Caucus are understood to have drafted statements of congratulations, but could not finish them in time to issue them Friday. They plan to issue them early next week.
American Institute in Taiwan Chairperson Therese Shaheen sent congratulations Friday to President and Vice President Annette Lu (
Meanwhile, Japan's de facto ambassador to Taiwan, Katsuhisa Uchida, also sent Japan's congratulatory note to Chen for his re-election late Friday night after the Central Election Commission officially declared the presidential election results.
"We are glad to learn you have been re-elected with strong support," said the letter.
"We wish that under your leadership, Taiwan's prosperity will continue and that Taiwan's cordial ties with Japan will further develop," the letter added.
Also see story:
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College
RSS