Former US Deputy Secretary of State to Visit after Taiwan Elections

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Regarding cross-strait relations after Taiwan’s presidential election, United States Department of State announced that the Deputy Secretary Antony Blinken is going to visit China and meet Zhang Zhijun, head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office. The US will also send former Deputy Secretary William Burns to Taiwan, where he will meet President Ma to communicate messages from the US to Taiwan and China.

Liberty Times reports, it is said that Burns will have intensive meetings with President Ma and the chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Tsai Ing-wen starting from January 18.

DPP Secretary-General Joseph Wu is scheduled to speak in Washington DC on January 19 after meeting with Burns. Wu will explain the election results and future DPP policies to the US government academics and ensure DPP strategies.

China Times reports, on January 14, DPP presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen said in an interview that she would immediately start conversations with the outside world if elected, including communicating with allies and China. Tsai says this is to stabilize the political scene after the election, and she believes that stability in the Strait is where mutual benefits lie, so Tsai would do her best in maintaining the Strait.

DPP executives say that they have taken note of the United States’ concern of Taiwan’s post-election situation. However they believe that former White House National Security Council Senior Director for Asia-Pacific Greene’s statement, “the United States will strongly urge China to open dialogue with Tsai Ing-wen," and other related statements are directed towards China. The DPP isn’t refusing to converse and believes the US is hoping Beijing will not speak or make threats rashly.

Translated by Wen-yee Lee
Edited by Olivia Yang

Sources:

• China Times
• Apple Daily
• Liberty Times
• UDN