The US government has not changed its view on Taiwan-China relations despite the outcome of Saturday’s local elections in Taiwan. That’s the word from US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki on Monday.
Psaki said the US continues to welcome steps taken by both sides of the Taiwan Strait to reduce tensions and improve cross-strait relations. She said the US continues to encourage Beijing and Taipei to hold constructive dialogue, which has led to significant improvement in relations between the two sides.
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) issued a statement congratulating the candidates, voters and election officials for a successful election. The AIT is the de facto US embassy in Taiwan in the absence of official ties.
Psaki praised the elections as demonstrating the strength and vitality of Taiwan’s democratic system. The US government looks forward to working with all the successful candidates to strengthen Taiwan-US ties.
In the Saturday elections, the ruling Kuomintang won only six of the 22 city and county chief positions.