China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassies worldwide warned countries early this week against supporting Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party and condemned foreign governments that congratulated Lai Ching-te on his election as president of the island. After Lai, the ruling party’s candidate, won the elections on Saturday, ministers and politicians from countries with good relations with Taiwan—most of which are informal—sent congratulatory messages to Lai and his party. This prompted a swift response from China's embassies, highlighting Beijing's sensitivity towards other countries that appear to legitimize a candidate and political party deemed as "separatist forces" seeking to transform Taiwan into a sovereign independent state, while China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory.
On Sunday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry described a statement from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulating Lai and expressing Washington's expectation for enhanced unofficial relations with Taiwan as "sending a dangerous wrong message to Taiwan's separatist forces advocating for independence." The ministry stated on its official website, "China always firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan and strongly opposes U.S. interference in Taiwan's affairs in any manner and in any context."
The Chinese embassy also denounced British Foreign Secretary David Cameron's "incorrect actions" after he stated in a message congratulating Lai and his party that the elections were "testament to the vibrant democracy in Taiwan." The embassy's statement, published on its official WeChat account, urged the United Kingdom to acknowledge that Taiwan is a part of China and to handle Taiwan-related matters with caution in accordance with the One China principle, refraining from any statements that interfere in China's internal affairs.
The Chinese embassy in Japan even went so far as to lodge a form of official diplomatic protest after Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa congratulated Lai on his presidential victory. Kamikawa described Taiwan as "a very important partner and a significant friend" to Japan, but in the same statement said that the working relationship with Taipei is based on "non-governmental foundations." The Chinese embassy stated, "We seriously urge the Japanese side to refrain from disrupting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and (obstructing) China-Japan relations."
Beijing, which has never ruled out the possibility of using force to assert control over Taiwan, fears that Lai might declare the establishment of the Republic of Taiwan. Lai has stated that he does not intend to do so. Up until the eve of the elections, Chinese diplomats had been warning host countries about the consequences of supporting Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party.
