Taiwan's President-Elect Strikes Conciliatory Tone on China

Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, once dubbed a "destroyer of peace" by China, used his first post-election speech to call for dialogue with Beijing.

China regards the island across the 100-mile Taiwan Strait as a renegade province even though the Communist Party has never ruled it since taking power on the mainland in 1949. It has vowed to use force, if need be, to unite with democratic Taiwan, which receives moral support and arms sales from the United States.

Lai, currently vice-president, said he would continue President Tsai Ing-wen's policy of openness toward China.

"I will conduct cross-strait affairs according to that system so that cross-strait relations can return to a healthy and sustainable way of exchanges," he said.

"President Tsai has sent goodwill many times in the past few years. However, China did not provide the response it should have. So, in the future, we hope that China will recognize the new situation and understand that only peace benefits both sides of the strait."

"In addition, global peace and stability depend upon the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, we hope that China will understand the situation because China also has a responsibility," he said.

China had warned Taiwan its contest amounted to a choice between war and peace and made clear its preference for Hou Yu-ih of main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT). He conceded defeat to Lai.

Newsweek contacted China's government with requests for comment on Lai's election victory.

"As long as there's dignity and parity between two sides of the strait, Taiwan is very willing to engage in dialogue with China," Lai said.

"We're willing to have exchanges to cooperate for the benefit of the people on both sides of the strait so that we can create a peaceful and prosperous environment."

Taiwan's election occurred against a backdrop of global turbulence. With the U.S. involved in multiple geopolitical hotspots, including support for Ukraine against China's ally Russia and for Israel against Hamas and other Iran-backed militant groups, there is a risk any trouble over Taiwan could open a new front.

The U.S. has long supported Taiwan's self-rule, and all three presidential election candidates made clear they believed maintaining good relations with Washington is important.

Their differences on policy with Beijing were nuanced. None of the candidates had said they would declare independence — the absolute red line for China. Likewise, none of them had said they would seek the unification that China wants but which is opposed by the vast majority of people in Taiwan.