China Bans The United States From Participating In Taiwanese Elections

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Thursday (11/1/2023). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government prohibits outsiders such as the United States from interfering in their domestic affairs, including the matter of elections in Taiwan.

"Taiwan is China's internal affairs. Elections in Taiwan's territory are purely China's internal affairs and there should be no interference from outsiders, China regrets and strongly opposes US comments on the Taiwan election," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 11.

The presidential election in Laiwan will be held on Saturday (13/1).

"I need to emphasize that the Taiwan issue is China's core interest and has a barrier line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. We ask the US to comply with the principles of 'one China' and the provisions of the three communication with China-US," added Mao Ning.

Mao Ning asked officials in the US to respect the commitments made by US and Chinese leaders and to stop interfering in elections in Taiwan in any form.

"Stop sending false signals to the support group 'Taiwan independence'. We will take firm action to safeguard our territorial sovereignty, security and integrity," said Mao Ning.

The Chinese government, said Mao Ning, also firmly opposes the US to make all forms of official contact with Taiwan.

"There is only one China in the world. Taiwan is an integral part of China and we firmly oppose the US in any form of official contact with Taiwan or do anything that endangers China-US relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," explained Mao Ning.

There are three candidates who will compete, namely Taiwanese Deputy Leader William Lai Ching-te as a candidate from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), New Taipei Hou Yu-ih Mayor as a representative of Kuomitang (KMT) and Ko Wen-je from the Taiwanese People's Party (TPP).

Lai Ching-te is a leading candidate from the DPP. He described himself as a defender of Taiwanese democracy, but Beijing calls him "dangerous" and can trigger cross-state conflicts.

Even so, during the campaign period, Lai said he would maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and realize peace if elected.

Meanwhile, the KMT Party has traditionally promoted close ties with China. A candidate from KMT, Hou Yu-ih, believes that improving economic relations and opening dialogue with China is the best way to maintain peace, although he also rejects Taiwan's independence and the "one country, two systems" model.

Meanwhile, Ko Wen-je is a former Mayor of Taipei who was a surgeon before entering politics in 2014. Ko said the TPP offered a "middle course" between the DPP and KMT on Chinese issues, but many said the policy was closer to KMT.

Beijing itself closely oversees the vote. In his new year's speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping said "the reunification of the country is a necessity of history".