Having defeated the candidate Hou Yu-ih, who opposed Taiwan's independence, the newly elected William Lai thanked Washington for its support for the island's democracy . His words during a meeting with the unofficial US delegation visiting Taipei , a few days after the outcome of the vote. «I am grateful for the United States' strong support for Taiwan's democracy – underlined Lai – which demonstrates the close and solid partnership between Taiwan and the United States». In America's sights there is certainly a desire to intensify relations with the Asian island. From Washington, "the commitment to the island is rock solid, principled, bipartisan and on behalf of our friends."
Meeting outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen , former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley - part of the visiting US delegation - conveyed the American people's congratulations on Saturday's elections, specifying that " Taiwan's democracy has given a brilliant example to the world ", he added.
Made up of former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and the president of the American Institute in Taiwan (the de facto US embassy) Laura Rosenberger, the delegation has on its agenda meetings with «personalities of prominent figure in politics", before leaving again tomorrow. However, the visit comes at the end of an electoral campaign marked by strong tensions with China , which considers Taiwan an inseparable part of its territory, to be reunified "even by force, if necessary ". A point of view not shared by Lai who promised her voters to protect her from the "threats and intimidation" of Beijing, urged to "face reality" and "respect the results of the elections". But the outcome was not as hoped: in response came the warning that " any initiative in favor of independence will be severely punished ."
(Unioneonline/vf)