The outgoing President of Taiwan praises her country’s partnership with Washington

Baghdad-INA
An unofficial delegation sent by the United States to Taiwan met with outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen on Monday, two days after the election of her successor, Lai Ching-ti.

The delegation includes former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, and Laura Rosenberger, president of the American Institute in Taiwan. The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with “a group of prominent political figures” before leaving Taiwan on Tuesday.
The Taiwanese President welcomed the delegation’s presence, saying that this visit constitutes a symbol of the “close and solid partnership” between Washington and her country.
The President addressed the delegation by saying, “Your visit is very important because it fully demonstrates the United States’ support for Taiwanese democracy and confirms the close and solid partnership between Taiwan and the United States.”
She added, “We hope that relations with Taiwan will continue to advance and play a leading role in the prosperity and development of the region and the world.”
For his part, Hadley said, “We are here to congratulate you and the people of Taiwan on the presidential and legislative elections that were held on January 13,” praising Taiwanese democracy as “an example to the whole world.”
He said that the delegation would meet later today with President-elect Lai Ching-te.
The American Institute in Taiwan – which is considered the actual US embassy on the island – said that the delegation’s mission is “to convey to Taiwan the congratulations of the American people on the success of the elections.”
The visit comes at the end of an election campaign marked by increasing diplomatic and military pressure from China.
The status of Taiwan is one of the biggest contentious issues between China and the United States, the island’s main military backer.
Beijing strongly criticized US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s congratulations to Lai Ching-ti on his election as president.
Lai will take office on May 20 with his deputy, Hsiao Bi-chim, a former representative of Taiwan to the United States.
China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory, and has pledged to return it to its control, by force if necessary.