[UPDATE] Taiwan Election 2024: China Condemns US for Congratulating New Taiwanese President, Claims It's Violation

China condemned the U.S. for congratulating Taiwan's new president, William Lai Ching-te. On Saturday, Jan. 13, the self-governed island conducted its most-awaited presidential election.

Lai Ching-te reigned victor among the presidential candidates. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated the newly-elected leader of the island nation.

[UPDATE] Taiwan Election 2024: China Condemns US for Congratulating New Taiwanese President, Claims It's Violation — (Photo : PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) waves a Taiwan flag at a rally in front of KMT headquarters and the Presidential Office in Taipei, 23 March 2004, three days after DPP candidate President Chen Shui-bian won the Taiwan presidential election by 0.2 percent of the vote.

However, since China wasn't happy with Taiwan's presidential election, it was further triggered by what Blinken did. Here's what the Chinese foreign ministry argued.

China Condemns U.S. for Congratulating Taiwan's New President

According to BBC News' latest report, Antony Blinken sent a letter to William Lai Ching-te, congratulating the new leader for winning Taiwan's presidential election.

"We look forward to working with Dr Lai and Taiwan's leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values," said the U.S. secretary of state.

Antony Blinken emphasized the partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan, saying that the relationship between the two nations is rooted in democratic values.

He further stated that the United States, one of Taiwan's biggest allies, is "committed to maintaining cross-strait peace and stability."

However, China wasn't happy with Blinken's statements. The Chinese foreign ministry argued that what Antony Blinken said violates the commitment of the U.S. to maintain only unofficial ties with Taipei.

Beijing explained that by congratulating Lai Ching-te, the U.S. violated its promise to maintain only commercial, cultural, and other unofficial relationships with Taiwan.

"China firmly opposes the U.S. having any form of official interaction with Taiwan and interfering in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext," said China's foreign ministry.

POTUS Says US Doesn't Support Taiwan's Independence

U.S. President Joe Biden clarified that the U.S. doesn't support the independence of Taiwan, even after voters defied China and returned the governing Democratic Progressive Party.

"We do not support independence," said Joe Biden via Yahoo News.

Political analysts explained that what the American president said could just ease China's concerns regarding the new Taiwanese president.

Unlike Hou Yu-ih, who promised to expand diplomacy and trade with China if he won the election, Lai Chi-teng maintained close ties with the United States.

This is why China was disappointed when William Lai won the election.