BEIJING - The Chinese embassy in Japan said on Jan 14 that it “resolutely opposed” Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa’s statement congratulating Taiwan’s new president-elect Lai Ching-te.

In a statement published on the Japanese foreign ministry’s website on Jan 13, after the results of the Taiwan presidential election were announced, Ms Kamikawa congratulated Mr Lai on his victory, calling the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing “an extremely crucial partner and an important friend”.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Japan, without mentioning Mr Lai or acknowledging his victory, described Ms Kamikawa’s comments as “a serious interference in China’s internal affairs”, according to a statement published on Jan 14 on the embassy’s official WeChat account.

“We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this, and have lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side,” the embassy said.

Japan, like most countries, does not have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, a precondition for establishing diplomatic ties with China.

But Japan’s alliance with the United States, Taiwan’s most important backer, and its proximity to the island, along with recent tensions in its ties with China, have prompted Tokyo to pursue closer ties with Taipei.

“The Government of Japan will work toward further deepening cooperation and exchanges between Japan and Taiwan,” Ms Kamikawa said in her statement.

The Chinese embassy also said that Japan should refrain from sending any “wrong signals” to “Taiwan independence” forces, a label Beijing uses to describe Mr Lai and his political party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which champions Taiwan’s separate identity and rejects China’s territorial claims.

Mr Lai said he would maintain the status quo in relations across the Taiwan Strait, but that he was “determined to safeguard Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China”.

In response to Mr Lai’s election as Taiwan’s President, South Korea hopes for continued peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, reported Yonhap news agency on Jan 14, citing a South Korean foreign ministry official.

“We hope to continue to enhance practical cooperation with Taiwan in various areas,” the unidentified official was quoted as saying.

Other foreign leaders and officials also weighed in on the election results:

US President Joe Biden

“We do not support independence,” Mr Biden said, when asked for reaction to Jan 13’s elections. Hours ahead of the polls opening, Washington had warned “it would be unacceptable” for “any” country to interfere in the election.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken

Mr Blinken congratulated Mr Lai on his victory and the people of Taiwan for “demonstrating the strength of their robust democratic system and electoral process”.

The top US diplomat went on to re-state US policy of wanting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as relations between Beijing and Taipei that are “free from coercion and pressure”.

“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 US one China policy,” the statement said.

“We are confident that Taiwan will continue to serve as an example for all who strive for freedom, democracy, and prosperity.”

British Foreign Minister David Cameron

Mr Cameron congratulated Mr Lai on his win and said he hoped Taiwan and China would renew efforts to resolve their differences peacefully.

“The elections today are testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy,” he said in a statement. “I hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will renew efforts to resolve differences peacefully through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.”

Russian Foreign Ministry 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, commenting after the vote, said Moscow continued to view Taiwan as an integral part of China.

President of France’s Lower House of Parliament Yael Braun-Pivet

“I extend my congratulations to @ChingteLai for his election as president of #Taiwan. All my best wishes to Taiwanese democracy and to its voters, many of whom are going to the polls. More than ever, we must continue to work together to defend law and peace across the Strait,” Braun-Pivet said in a post on X.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office on Jan 14 congratulated the elected officials, and all the voters and candidates who participated in the elections in Taiwan.

“Germany has close and good relations with Taiwan in many sectors and wants to expand them within the framework of its One-China policy,” the foreign office said in a statement.

French foreign ministry

France congratulates Taiwan’s voters and elected officials after the Taiwanese election, which showed their deep commitment to democratic values, the French foreign ministry said in a statement on Jan 14.

The ministry official also called on all parties to respect the status quo and said it hoped dialogue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait would resume. REUTERS