Why Taiwan’s election result prompted Asian nations to speak up on ‘one China’

William Lai’s win in the presidential race triggered varied responses within the region, a contrast to four years ago when few countries said anything

The reactions reflect a balancing act for countries wanting to assure Beijing while expressing concern about conflict, observers say

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Taiwan’s president-elect William Lai Ching-te (centre) and running mate Hsiao Bi-khim celebrate at an election night rally outside the Democratic Progressive Party headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, on Saturday. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 8:00pm, 19 Jan 2024Updated: 9:51pm, 19 Jan 2024

When Tsai Ing-wen won her second term as Taiwan’s president four years ago, the island’s neighbours said little.

As usual Japan, Singapore and Australia offered Tsai their congratulations but there was barely a murmur from other countries.

However, William Lai Ching-te’s closely watched victory in the Taiwanese presidential election last weekend stirred a wave of diplomatic activity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Again, Singapore, Japan and Australia congratulated the winner, with Japan going a step further to call Taiwan “an extremely crucial partner”, instead of “an important partner” as it did four years ago.

South Korea took a middle-ground approach and “expressed hope to see peace and stability maintained across the Taiwan Strait”.

But dozens of countries – including Asean members Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam – were quick to reaffirm their one-China policy after Lai, the man branded by Beijing as a “troublemaker”, came in ahead of his two rivals for the presidency.