00:00 As Taiwan prepares for its upcoming election next week, the stakes are high for Washington,
00:07 presenting challenges regardless of the election outcome.
00:09 A win for the ruling party is expected to heighten tensions with China, while an opposition
00:15 victory may prompt uncomfortable inquiries about the island's defence strategies.
00:21 The January 13 presidential and parliamentary elections mark a significant wildcard for
00:26 the Biden administration in its 2024 mission to stabilise relations with China.
00:32 Amid Beijing's claim of Taiwan as its territory and its portrayal of the island's elections
00:37 as a decisive move for peace or conflict in the Taiwan Strait, tensions loom large.
00:43 China warns that any move toward Taiwan's formal independence would lead to conflict.
00:49 In response, Taiwan's government firmly rejects China's sovereignty claim.
00:53 Meanwhile, US officials treat cautiously refraining from any actions that might be construed as
00:59 steering or interfering with the democratic process on the island.
01:04 Our strong expectation and hope is that those elections be free of intimidation or coercion
01:10 or interference from all sides.
01:13 The United States is not involved and will not be involved in these elections.
01:18 US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns said in December,
01:21 In navigating this delicate balance, US administrations have grappled with challenges to avoid any
01:27 perception of interference.
01:30 The Obama administration faced scrutiny ahead of Taiwan's 2012 election when a senior US
01:35 official voiced reservation about then-presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen's captaincy to maintain
01:42 a stable relationship with China.
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