US hails Taiwan leader's re-election, 'robust' democracy
12 January, 2020
The United States congratulated Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen for her re-election on Saturday (Jan 11), hailing it as a demonstration of the island's "robust democratic system."
The US State Department issued a statement praising Tsai shortly after final results showed her winning by a landslide in what was widely seen as a blow to China.
The US statement praised Tsai for developing a strong partnership with Washington and for her "commitment to maintaining cross-Strait stability in the face of unrelenting pressure."
"Under her leadership, we hope Taiwan will continue to serve as a shining example for countries that strive for democracy, prosperity, and a better path for their people," it said.
Final results showed her winning 57 per cent of the vote against 39 per cent for the Kuomintang party's Han Kuo-yu, who conceded defeat.
China had ramped up economic and diplomatic pressure on the island under Tsai's first term, but its tactics backfired amid public concern fuelled in part by Beijing's hardline response to pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.
The State Department congratulated Taiwan "for once again demonstrating the strength of its robust democratic system, which - coupled with a free market economy and a vibrant civil society - makes it a model for the Indo-Pacific region and a force for good in the world."
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