WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration plans to send an unofficial delegation made up of former senior officials to Taiwan shortly after the self-governing island collapses. hold an election for a new president This weekend, the move could upset Beijing in already fragile bilateral relations.
A senior administration official confirmed the plan Wednesday without providing further details, but said such face-to-face meetings are the “most effective way” to engage with Taiwan’s new government and communicate U.S. policy in the region. He said that there is.
The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive plan, said the government believes the measure will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The Chinese government claims Taiwan as part of Chinese territory. I vow to eventually unify with it..
In August 2022, after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the Chinese government was furious and launched missiles and blockaded Taiwan. In his most recent meeting with President Joe Biden in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping called Taiwan the “most sensitive issue” in U.S.-China relations.
The U.S. government has a security agreement with Taiwan, providing the island with enough hardware and technology to thwart an armed attack from the mainland. The United States has increased its support for Taiwan and Taiwan’s democratically elected government in recent years, as Beijing increases military and diplomatic pressure on the island.
The U.S. government takes no side on the island’s national rights, but insists that differences should be resolved peacefully. Biden told Xi in November that the U.S. government opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
The Biden administration is not endorsing any party or candidate in Taiwan’s next presidential election. The Chinese government has made it clear that it does not want China to win. Lai Chintealso known as William Lai, is a candidate of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party known for his pro-independence tendencies.
Lai is seen as the frontrunner in the election, but he is closely followed by Hou Youxi of the opposition Kuomintang Party. Although the Kuomintang opposes independence, it also does not support unification with the mainland.
The Chinese government calls Mr. Lai a “Taiwanese independence element,” and Chinese officials have promised Taiwanese voters that they will forcibly annex Taiwan if Taiwan declares independence. He suggested that there is a possibility of choosing between the two. But Mr. Rai is unlikely to take such drastic steps.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday that “the upcoming elections are attracting international attention” and that China’s “repeated interference is stealing the focus”. He added that the Chinese government should “stop interfering in other countries’ elections and hold its own elections.” #Let the Chinese people freely choose their leaders. ”
U.S. officials acknowledged that a period of heightened tensions ahead of Taiwan’s presidential election lie ahead, but said “contingency discussions” were underway within the U.S. government to address the tensions. . The official added that the White House is also working with Beijing on the Taiwan issue to manage the “difficult situation” and avoid unintended conflicts.
U.S. officials said the Biden administration also objects. External interference in Taiwan’s elections And the administration said it has repeatedly expressed its concerns to Chinese officials.