SINGAPORE: After several countries congratulated Lai Ching-de on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election on January 14, China reacted with anger, in some cases summoning its ambassador.
China slammed the US, UK, Japan, Singapore and the Philippines after congratulations poured in after Lai’s victory.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference that China “immediately conducted a solemn takeoff to Singapore.”
The cancellation, a diplomatic rebuke of sorts, came after Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on January 14 that it “welcomes the successful conclusion of the elections and congratulates Dr William Lai and his party on their victory.” This was done in response to this.
On Monday, January 15, Nao said, “Singapore’s leaders have repeatedly said that the Taiwan issue is a ‘deep red line’ for China.” China respects this statement and expects Singapore to strictly adhere to the “one China” principle and uphold the overall friendly relations between China and Singapore with concrete actions. ”
But the biggest blame was directed at the Philippines. The ambassador to China was summoned after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. congratulated Lai on X (formerly Twitter) “on behalf of the Filipino people.”
On behalf of the Filipino people, I congratulate President-elect Lai Ching-de on his election as the next president of Taiwan.
We look forward to close cooperation, strengthening mutual benefits, promoting peace, and ensuring the prosperity of our people in the years to come.
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) January 15, 2024
China said the congratulations “grossly violates the one-China principle.”
“China strongly regrets this, firmly opposes it, and immediately issued a strong statement,” Mao added. We would like to tell the Philippines not to play with fire on the Taiwan issue. ”
As for the United States, even though President Joseph Biden emphasized on January 13 that he does not support Taiwan’s independence, the State Department said it had “demonstrated once again the strength of our robust democratic institutions and electoral process.” ” He expressed his congratulations to the people of Taiwan.
By the next day, China’s Foreign Ministry said the U.S. State Department’s statement “grossly violates the U.S. commitment to maintain only cultural, economic, and other informal relations with Taiwan,” He added that he had submitted a “solemn petition”. Thanks for the comment US.
China also submitted a “solemn expression” in response to a statement by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, who called Taiwan a “very important partner and important friend” and congratulated the new leader.
The Beijing embassy in Tokyo deemed this a “serious interference in China’s internal affairs.”
Similarly, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the election results were “a testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy” and called on the British government to “cease any words or actions that interfere in China’s internal affairs.” /TISG
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