China criticized the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and other governments for congratulating the winner of Taiwan's presidential election.
Beijing accused several countries of “interfering in China's internal affairs” after world leaders sent letters to President-elect Lai Ching-te. After his victory on Saturday.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and considers it a separatist province, has accused Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party of being dangerous separatists.
The DPP says it prefers the status quo of the island being self-governing, but has not publicly called for independence.
The party's victory was seen as a setback for Beijing and tensions escalated on Sunday as the US Secretary of State was accused of… Anthony Blinken of “sending a very wrong signal” after sending his best wishes to the winner.
This came after Blinken said: “We congratulate Dr. Lai Cheng-ti on his victory in the presidential elections in Taiwan. We also congratulate the Chinese people.” Taiwan People to participate in free and fair elections and demonstrate the strength of their democratic system.
but ChinaThe State Department said it “deeply regrets and strongly opposes” these statements, adding that “serious representations have been made to the American side.”
A ministry spokesman added: “We urge the United States to stop dealings of an official nature with Taiwan and to stop sending any wrong signal to separatist forces for Taiwan independence.”
Tensions escalated further after the visit of former US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg to Taipei on Sunday.
The two men are scheduled to hold a series of meetings with political leaders, but are said to be doing so in their “private capacity.”
The United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country and supports the status quo, although US President Joe Biden has promised to defend it against any possible attack by China.
This comes after Beijing also condemned its “incorrect actions”. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron After he also congratulated Mr Lai – calling the election “a testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy”.
“We urge the United Kingdom to recognize the position that Taiwan is a province of China, and carefully handle Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the one-China principle,” a Chinese embassy statement on Saturday said. [and] “Stop any statements that interfere in China's internal affairs.”
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The Chinese government also criticized a similar message from the Japanese government, and France as well – although officials in Paris did not name Lai or his party, instead congratulating “all voters and candidates.”
On the eve of the election, Chinese diplomats also warned Western countries of the unspecified dangers of supporting “Taiwan independence forces.”
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“Democracy is everything to us”
Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, published an article in The Australian newspaper on Friday in which he said: “If Australia is hitched to the bandwagon of Taiwan separatist forces, the Australian people will be pushed to the brink.”
Lai's victory means that the Democratic Progressive Party will continue to hold the presidency for a third four-year term, after eight years under President Tsai Ing-wen. He will take office in May.
