China’s Preference for Hard Power Is Creating Major Headaches for Beijing

The Taiwanese presidential election on January 13, won by Vice President Lai Ching-te (or William Lai) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was hardly welcomed by China. The Chinese government had actively opposed the DPP. It has been accused, not for the first time, of electoral interference in favor of its preferred candidates.

After the election, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement, "Whatever changes take place in Taiwan, the basic fact that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is part of China will not change." The statement reiterated the One China principle and re-affirmed Beijing's opposition to "'Taiwan independence' separatism." Punctuating its position, Beijing condemned foreign leaders who extended congratulations to Lai, and welcomed Nauru into an official relationship as the Pacific island state severed ties with Taiwan just two days after the election.