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Taiwan hopes to continue working closely with the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, who is believed to be the island nation’s ambassador, told Antony Blinken, a longtime confidant of President-elect Joe Biden, according to Reuters. .
This is seen as an attempt to strengthen ties with the Biden government of Taiwan.
Claimed by China but governed democratically, Taiwan enjoys unprecedented support from the Trump administration, including increased arms sales and visits by officials. leading to Taipei. The election of Joe Biden has caused some concern in Taiwan.
Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s representative in Washington and close to Taiwanese President Thai Anh Van, announced on Twitter on Saturday that there was a phone call with Blinken, to convey Taiwan’s congratulations. to Mr. Biden.
“We appreciate the United States ‘bipartisan support for the United States’ relations with Taiwan and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the United States in the years to come,” he added.
Ms. Thai Anh Van met Mr. Blinken in 2015 at the United States Department of State when he was Deputy Foreign Minister and she was the presidential candidate of the Progressive Democratic Party (DPP) of Taiwan.
During that trip, Tsai also became the first Taiwanese presidential candidate to visit the White House and met with Evan Medeiros, President Barack Obama’s senior director of Asia Affairs.
“Therefore, it is clear that the Democratic Party government has adopted a friendly attitude towards Taiwan,” Thai Anh Van said in a statement issued by the DPP on Wednesday.
With decades of experience on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and previously No. 2 in the State Department, many in Washington view Blinken as a natural candidate to be their national security adviser. Biden or a possible option for the position of secretary of state.
President-elect Biden, a Democrat, has not discussed anything about Blinken’s role in the new administration.
Tensions over Taiwan have risen significantly since Republican Trump took office four years ago, with China holding regular military drills near the island, including one taking place. during a visit to Taipei earlier this year by senior US officials.
Taiwanese officials will arrive in Washington this week for trade talks, and the island has expressed confidence that they will continue under the new administration, citing China’s bipartisan policy in favor of Taiwan. State.
Before a conversation between Hsiao Bi-khim and Antony Blinken, Taiwan’s top lawmaker on China on Monday sought to reassure eager lawmakers, according to Reuters. Biden’s right wing will continue to support the island claimed by China.
In Taiwan’s parliament on Monday, some lawmakers raised concerns about the change in Taiwan’s policy under the Biden administration, with some describing Biden as “China-friendly,” and others pointing to Biden’s opposition to the bill. Taiwan Security Enhancement Commission 1999.
Huang Shih-chieh of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party said his main concern was whether he would change the US policy of support for Taiwan.
“Our biggest concern is that with the Biden presidency, he can adjust his foreign policy,” Huang said.
But Chen Ming-tong, head of Taiwan’s Council on Continental Affairs, has repeatedly assured lawmakers that a fundamental US shift in favor of Taiwan stands little chance of achieving it. outside.
“There is no need to worry about a change of ownership in the White House.” While there may be some changes to Biden’s tactics with China, there will be no changes to his China strategy. “Mr. Chen said.
Chen Ming-tong pointed out that it was former President Barack Obama, whom Biden served as vice president, who pushed the “pivot” back to Asia to challenge a rising China, and that Biden would not challenge. current geopolitical structure between the United States and China.
Mr. Chen emphasized that the United States and Taiwan have the same values.
Lai Shyh-bao, a lawmaker for the main opposition party, the KMT, often with a tradition of close ties with China, argues that Biden’s stay in the White House may not be a bad thing. for Taiwan.
“With the Biden administration, I think tensions in the Taiwan Straits will be reduced, because he will not see Taiwan as a great pawn like Trump did,” he said.
