Still Not In Step with China, Tsai Ing-wen Elected

TAIPEI - Tsai Ing-wen has been elected Taiwan's first female president. Ms Tsai, 59, represents Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) which leads the camp that wants independence from China.

Althoughshe has not made her stance clear, opponents say Taiwan's relations with China will deteriorate as she does not recognise the "one China" policy. China sees the island as a breakaway province which it has threatened to take back by force if necessary.

Ms Tsai had a commanding lead in the vote count when Eric Chu of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) admitted defeat. Mr Chu congratulated Tsai Ing-wen and announced he was quitting as KMT head. Taiwan's Premier Mao Chi-kuo also resigned.

The United Kingdom offered its congratulations Saturday to Tsai Ing-wen on her victory in Taiwan's presidential election and hoped that dialogue across the Taiwan Strait will continue to resolve differences.

"The presidential and legislative elections held in Taiwan today are testament to Taiwan's thriving democracy," U.K. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said in a statement.

Offering warm congratulations to the people of Taiwan on the smooth and mature conduct of the elections and to Tsai and her
party for having won their support, Hammond said he hoped that Taiwan and China "will continue their dialogue to resolve differences and maintain the recent trend of constructive relations."

The European Union also issued a statement on the Taiwanese elections, saying that "respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights underpin the successful conduct of these elections."

"The EU reiterates its support for the continued peaceful development of cross-strait relations," said Federica Mogherini, high representative of the European External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service, in the statement.

Meanwhile, the United States and Japan have also congratulated Tsai and the people of Taiwan on the completion of the elections.