Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in on Taiwan's presidential election on Saturday, offering his congratulations to Lai Ching-te, who goes by William, for his victory.
"The United States congratulates Dr. Lai Ching-te on his victory in Taiwan’s presidential election," Blinken said in a statement shared by the State Department. "We also congratulate the Taiwan people for once again demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process."
Lai, who previously served as vice president, emerged the winner of the country’s presidential election, after a high-stakes race forced his opponents to concede.
The result will decide the country’s relations with China for the next several years, as China warns that peace and stability in the region are threatened between the two countries. China claims the strip of water between the countries is its own to rule.
“We look forward to working with Dr. Lai and Taiwan’s leaders of all parties to advance our shared interests and values, and to further our longstanding unofficial relationship, consistent with the U.S. one China policy,” Blinken said Saturday in the statement.
“We are confident that Taiwan will continue to serve as an example for all who strive for freedom, democracy, and prosperity,” he added.
China previously warned that the election was critical, as voters could be choosing between war and peace. The country has openly opposed Lai’s party — the Democratic Progressive Party — as it claims sovereignty over the island that has governed itself for nearly three quarters of a century.
Lai has rejected China’s claims of sovereignty and offered to speak with China but officials have refused to hold talks, calling them “separatists” for splitting from the mainland after a civil war in 1949.
“Today, #Taiwan has once again shown the world our people’s commitment to democracy,” Lai posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
He said he is grateful for the trust placed in him by the public and remains committed to “upholding peace in the Taiwan Strait and being a force of good in the international community.”