Beijing says stance on Taiwan unchanged despite polls landslide

Taipei

CHINA will not change its position that Taiwan belongs to it, Beijing said on Sunday, after President Tsai Ing-wen won re-election and said she would not submit to China's threats, as state media warned she was courting disaster.

The election campaign was dominated by China's efforts to get the democratic island to accept Beijing's rule under a "one country, two systems" model, as well as by anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong.

"No matter what changes there are to the internal situation in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change," China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

While China says Taiwan is its territory, Taiwan maintains it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its formal name.

Ms Tsai, who has firmly rejected China's "one country, two systems" model, won another four-year term by a landslide on Saturday, and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) secured a majority in parliament.

"Taiwan's people once again use the vote in their hands to show the world the value of democracy," she said on Sunday when meeting the head of the United States' de facto embassy in Taipei, Brent Christensen.

"Democracy and freedom are indeed Taiwan's most valuable asset and the foundation of the long-term Taiwan-US partnership," she said, vowing to deepen cooperation with the US on issues from defence to the economy.

On Saturday, she called for talks to resume with China, but said she hoped Beijing understood Taiwan and its people would not submit to intimidation.

However, the Chinese foreign ministry said China will not change its stance on the "one China" principle and opposing Taiwan independence. "The universal consensus of the international community adhering to the 'one China' principle will not change either."

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said China should respect the election result and stop putting pressure on the island. "Our government will firmly defend the sovereignty of the Republic of China and Taiwan's democracy and freedom," it said.

China's official Xinhua news agency said Ms Tsai won by deploying dirty tricks, hyping the China threat and colluding with Western forces.

"Whether it is to curb Taiwan independence secessionist activities or to benefit Taiwan compatriots, the mainland has a full 'policy toolbox'," it said.

"Tsai and the DPP must be aware that they should not act wilfully because of a fluke."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated Ms Tsai and lauded her for seeking stability with China "in the face of unrelenting pressure".

Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also sent congratulations, referring to Taiwan as a "precious friend".

China's Taiwan Affairs Office said on Saturday that it would continue promoting the "one country, two systems" model for Taiwan, which Beijing uses to run Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy.

Many in the former British colony fear promises made under the system are not being kept. REUTERS