KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – The St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) government has congratulated Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on its election victory on Saturday, which propelled it to a historic third-consecutive term in office.
A statement from the office of the Prime Minister said, “The government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines congratulate most heartily Their Excellencies William Lai Ching-te as President-Elect and Hsiao Bi-khim as Vice-President-Elect of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on their magnificent triumph in the elections held today, January 13, 2024.”
“Their political party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was impressive in these elections; we salute all its leaders, members, and supporters,” Kingstown said.
The statement added that the Vincentian government was aware of “the highly-competitive nature of these elections and deeply appreciate the important roles of the other Presidential candidates, Mr. Hou Yu-in of the Kuomintang (KMT) and Mr. Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), and their respective teams in maintaining Taiwan as a land of democracy and liberty.”
“Above all, the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are to be highly commended for their exemplary, peaceful, and thoroughly democratic elections, which constitute a model for some neighboring Asian countries,” Kingstown said.
“The government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines look forward to further strengthening our excellent relations with the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan). President-Elect Lai Ching-te is known to us.”
The statement said that Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves had congratulated the president-elect and his team and “signaled his intention to attend the formal swearing-in ceremony of President-Elect Lai Ching-te in May 2024 in Taiwan.”
Media reports said Lai won nearly 5.6 million votes, amassing just over 40%, while Hou claimed 33.5%. Ko garnered 26.5 percent, adding that the vote result will determine the trajectory of Taiwan’s contentious relations with China over the next four years.
Taiwan and China split amidst a civil war in 1949, and Beijing regards the self-ruled democracy as a province and has not ruled out using force in its efforts to unite Taiwan with China.
China had called the poll a choice between war and peace. Beijing vehemently opposes Lai, the current vice president who abandoned his medical career to pursue politics from the grassroots to the presidency, the Associated Press said.
Meanwhile, St. Lucia, another of Taiwan’s 12 diplomatic allies, congratulated the winning candidates.
“This momentous occasion not only marks a significant chapter in Taiwan’s political landscape but also strengthens the bonds between our nations,” Castries said in a press statement.
“The Government of Saint Lucia values the principles of democracy, peace, and prosperity and applauds the people of Taiwan for their active participation in the democratic process,” the statement further said.
“Prime Minister Hon. Philip J Pierre and the Government of Saint Lucia look forward to strengthened ties and collaboration between our nations. Prime Minister Pierre wishes the new government under President-Elect H.E. Lai Ching-Te and Vice-President-elect H.E. Ambassador Hsiao Bi-Khim continued success, unity, and prosperity.”
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