China’s diplomats condemn foreign governments over Taiwan post-election remarks

Over the weekend, China’s foreign ministry and its global embassies issued warnings to nations supporting Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), expressing strong condemnation for foreign governments extending congratulations to the island’s president-elect, Lai Ching-te. Following Lai’s victory in the presidential election on Saturday, various ministers and officials from nations with informal ties to Taiwan conveyed messages of congratulations to both Lai and the DPP.

Chinese embassies swiftly responded, underscoring Beijing’s sensitivity to any appearance of endorsing a candidate and political party it perceives as “secessionist forces” seeking to establish Taiwan as an independent sovereign nation—a territory China claims as its own. On Sunday, the Chinese foreign ministry criticized a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, terming it a “seriously incorrect signal” to “Taiwan independence separatist forces.” The ministry firmly opposed any official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan, denouncing U.S. interference in Taiwan affairs.

The Chinese embassy criticized British Foreign Minister David Cameron for his “incorrect actions” after he congratulated Lai and the DPP, urging the United Kingdom to acknowledge Taiwan as a province of China and handle Taiwan-related matters in accordance with the one-China principle. The embassy in Japan lodged official protests, known as “solemn representations,” against Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa for congratulating Lai and emphasizing the non-governmental basis of the working relationship with Taipei.

China, which has not ruled out the use of force to reunify Taiwan, is concerned that Lai might declare the establishment of a Republic of Taiwan, despite Lai’s assurance to the contrary. Even before the election, Chinese diplomats had cautioned host countries about the repercussions of supporting the DPP. For instance, Xiao Qian, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, warned in an article published on Friday that tying Australia to “Taiwan independence forces” could lead the Australian people to the edge of an abyss.