Taiwan Election 2024 and China’s Principle Stance

Analytics 17:00 14.01.2024

Undoubtedly, the election in Taiwan is an internal affair of mainland China and its results will not change its principal stance of One China Policy. The western media and policy makers should appreciate the Chinese government’s stance which remained impartial and did not try to influence it.  

However, Chen Binhua, spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), statement through state-run Xinhua News Agency that presidential and legislative elections vividly reflected China’s principle stance towards Taiwan calling it China’s Taiwan and the DDP’s victory cannot represent the mainstream public opinion on the island. It is absolutely true that most of the people voted against the DPP which only secured 40 percent votes. 

Moreover, Chen upheld that Taiwan is China's Taiwan and the elections will not change the basic landscape and development trend of cross-Strait relations, will not alter the shared aspiration of compatriots across the Taiwan Strait to forge closer ties, and will not impede the inevitable trend of China's reunification.

He showcased China’s peaceful consistent resolve towards Taiwan which realized national reunification showing its national determination firm as rock. 

He once again emphasized to follow the  
1992 Consensus that represents the one-China principle and firmly oppose the separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' as well as foreign interference.

His commitment, working with relevant political parties, groups and people from various sectors in Taiwan to boost cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, enhance cross-Strait integrated development, jointly promote Chinese culture, and advance the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations as well as the cause of national reunification vividly reflects China’s peaceful persuasions towards socio-economic integration and reunification. 

Before the election the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning labeled the elections of the Taiwan region as China's internal affairs and regardless of the result, it will not change the basic fact that Taiwan is part of China and there is only one China in the world.

Mao rightly termed one-China principle as a prevailing international consensus and the political foundation of the China-US relationship. She labeled Taiwan independence as the biggest threat to cross Straits peace and stability and is doomed to failure.

She elaborated that US leaders have repeatedly said that they are committed to the one-China policy, do not support "Taiwan independence," do not support "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan," and do not seek to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China.

The Chinese President Xi Jinping's while addressing a key note speech of annual New Year's address termed unification with Taiwan inevitable. 

Pakistan reiterated its position on the elections in Taiwan, saying it adheres to One China Policy, and calls for non-interference in the domestic affairs of all countries as per principles and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter.

Pakistan being strategic ally of China once again supported One China policy which remained consistent, clear, and principled. It termed Taiwan as an inalienable part of People’s Republic of China. It adheres to One China Policy, and calls for non-interference in the domestic affairs of all countries as per principles and objectives enshrined in the UN Charter.

Interestingly, the US President Joe Biden’s initial reaction was muted saying only "we do not support independence" in Taiwan.  

Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s current vice president, declared victory on Saturday evening.

Lai’s running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, who recently served as Taiwan’s top envoy to the United States, was elected Vice President.

According to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Lai the candidate of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured just over 40 percent of the total votes, according to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission (CEC).

Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party candidate Hou Yu-ih received 33.49 percent of the votes with Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) candidate Ko Wen-je achieved 26.45 percent. More than 14 million people took part, meaning that voter turnout came in at just over 71 percent. 

 In summary, one-China principle is the real guarantor of regional peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Thus the international community should adhere to the one-China principle and understand and support the Chinese people’s just cause of opposing ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities and striving to achieve national reunification. The election result does not represent the mainstream view on the island.

China did not indulge in any kind of military misadventure or economic blockade on the Island however the global movers & shakers constantly intervened in the internal affairs of Taiwan and thus tried to spoil its status. The US’s continued arming to Taiwan has made it of the world’s major geopolitical flash points.

Interestingly, Lai’s victory comes as the US is trying to stabilize fraught relations with China and prevent competition from veering into conflict. During Tsai’s administration, Taiwan enhanced ties with the US, its biggest international backer, which increased support and arms sales to the island.

Days before the election, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said by following Tsai’s path, Lai is pursuing a path of provocation and confrontation and will bring Taiwan closer and closer to war and recession.

It hopes that the US will honor its commitments by handling Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, stop official interactions with Taiwan, stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and refrain from interfering in the elections of the Taiwan region in any form.

The US policy makers should explicitly oppose "Taiwan independence" and support China's peaceful reunification.

Author is Dr Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Executive Director of The Center for South & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad 

2edd1560-7bca-3f0c-a421-105df0fd900e_850.jpg

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Mobilization Against Peace: Armenia's Return to a Radical Past
17:01 17.06.2025
Israel prepares more complex operation against Iran
13:50 17.06.2025
Armenia and India discuss evacuation of Indian students from Iran
12:01 17.06.2025
Navies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan start joint exercises
11:58 17.06.2025
Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency: 1,258 hectares cleared of mines last week
11:53 17.06.2025
More than 600 citizens of 17 countries evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan
11:44 17.06.2025
IEA: Azerbaijan falls short of OPEC+ quota by 0.08 million b/d in May
11:41 17.06.2025
Iran attacks military sites in Tel Aviv, Haifa with 'new weapon' and drones
11:37 17.06.2025
Foreign diplomats briefed on addressing IDP issues in Azerbaijan
11:33 17.06.2025
Israeli-linked hackers claim to have hacked Iran's Bank Sepah
11:29 17.06.2025
Turkic states' investment promotion platform launched
10:53 17.06.2025
Israel strengthens borders with Egypt and Jordan, some troops withdrawn from Gaza
15:16 16.06.2025
Israel says it has full control of Tehran's airspace
15:11 16.06.2025
Poland plans to evacuate its citizens in Israel via Jordan
15:07 16.06.2025
10 Tajik citizens evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan
13:58 16.06.2025
Erdogan and Pezeshkian spoke by phone, discussing Turkey's mediation
13:52 16.06.2025
Some AZAL flights scheduled for today have been canceled, while others have been suspended until the end of the month
13:35 16.06.2025
Erdogan and Putin discussed the Israel Iran conflict
13:17 16.06.2025
Azerbaijani and Uzbek Foreign Ministers discuss security issues in the region J
13:03 16.06.2025
Presentation of books dedicated to the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan held in Paris
12:48 16.06.2025
Kremlin: Russia has handed over more than 6000 bodies to Ukraine
12:27 16.06.2025
It is still unclear what exactly the European Union wants
14:15 14.06.2025
The Caspian Sea is not a dividing, but a unifying factor.
14:02 14.06.2025
Trump and Zelensky Will Not Meet at NATO Summit Due to Risk of Conflict
12:04 14.06.2025
Fitch affirms Azerbaijan's investment grade, raises country ceiling to 'BBB'
10:46 14.06.2025
Safety of all passengers, including Russian citizens of Armenian origin, ensured at Baku airport - EXCLUSIVE
06:41 14.06.2025
Two dead, 21 injured in Iran's fourth wave of attacks on Israel
06:36 14.06.2025
Israel Temporarily Closes All Diplomatic Missions Worldwide
16:00 13.06.2025
Turkish Foreign Ministry condemns Israeli airstrikes on Iran
11:37 13.06.2025
Milli Majlis congratulates Azerbaijani president and first lady on National Salvation Day
11:35 13.06.2025
Over 10 int'l flights selected Heydar Aliyev International Airport as alternate aerodrome
10:30 13.06.2025
Media: Israel begins interception of Iranian drones
10:24 13.06.2025
Emirates cancels several flights to Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon
10:20 13.06.2025
Jordan shoots down several missiles and drones in its airspace
09:16 13.06.2025
New facts revealed in court regarding planting of landmines in Azerbaijan’s formerly occupied territories
07:55 13.06.2025
AZAL flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Tehran cancelled
06:50 13.06.2025
Iranian authorities inform IAEA Bushehr NPP safe — Grossi
06:32 13.06.2025
Jordan closes airspace amid Iran-Israel tensions
06:30 13.06.2025
Turkish ruling party condemns Israel's attack on Iran
06:21 13.06.2025
US Embassy staff in Israel instructed to remain at their locations
06:15 13.06.2025
Hamısı