PARIS (dpa-AFX) – After the elections in Taiwan, France hopes for a resumption of dialogue between Taipei and Beijing. The Foreign Ministry in Paris announced this on Sunday. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial. All sides should respect the status quo. Paris also hopes that its relationship with Taiwan will continue to deepen. The elections have once again shown that Taiwan’s citizens are committed to democratic values, the rule of law and human rights.
In the parliamentary and presidential elections in the East Asian island nation, the previous vice president William Lai from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the majority of votes. Taiwan thus opted for the status quo, especially with regard to its relationship with China. Lai’s party supports independence for Taiwan, which is why Beijing sees them as separatists. Beijing broke off contact with Taipei in 2016.
The Communist Party has historically argued that Taiwan is part of China, even though it has never ruled the island and has had an independent, democratically elected government there for decades. Beijing wants “reunification” and, if necessary, to bring it about militarily. A war in the Taiwan Strait, which is important for international shipping, would hit world trade very hard and could involve the USA./rbo/DP/nas