Sébastien Le Belzic / Photo credits: Pedro PARDO / AFP
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07:23, January 12, 2024
The presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan will be held this Saturday, January 13 in a very tense context with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the island. Especially since the democratic and independence candidate is given the winner. China accuses the United States of interfering in the vote.
China calls on the United States not to “meddle” in the presidential election in Taiwan which is being held this Saturday, January 13. It must be said that Beijing considers this island of 23 million inhabitants as an integral part of its territory. Consequently, the probable victory according to the latest polls of the democratic candidate William Lai who defends the independence of Taiwan and rapprochement with the United States worries the Chinese side.
“THE red line not to be transgressed”
“Taiwan is at the heart of China’s fundamental interests and constitutes THE red line that must not be transgressed in Sino-American relations. We urge the United States to respect the principle of one China,” declared Mao Ning in particular. , spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For its part, Beijing supports the other candidate, that of the Kuomintang, in favor of a rapprochement with the communist regime. China even called on Taiwanese voters this Thursday to make “the right choice”. Namely that of unification under penalty, she threatens, of military intervention. Beijing also called the favored candidate a “serious danger.” “Frankly, Beijing should stop meddling in other countries’ elections and organize its own,” retorted Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on the social network X.