Taiwan's Pacific allies have congratulated Tsai Ing-wen on her landslide re-election.
Photo: AFP / The Yomiuri Shimbun
President Tsai has secured a second term after sweeping to victory in an election dominated by the island's relationship with China.
Ms Tsai got 57 percent of the votes over the weekend - a record 8.2m votes - the biggest win since Taiwan's first presidential election in 1996.
Palau's Tommy Remengesau has penned a letter saying the historic result is a strong stamp of approval for what Ms Tsai is doing for democracy, peace and freedom.
Mr Remengesau said Ms Tsai's dedication towards unity, prosperity and success was shared by her friends in the region.
On behalf of the Republic of Palau, I would like to congratulate a dear friend and a great ally, President Tsai Ing-wen, ROC-Taiwan on your re-election! pic.twitter.com/jlbAeGwlch
— Tommy Remengesau, Jr (@TommyRemengesau) January 11, 2020
China regards Taiwan as a rebel province, and has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. It has said Taiwan must eventually be reunited with China, by force if necessary.
In her victory speech, Tsai told China to abandon its threat to take back the island by force.
"Taiwan is showing the world how much we cherish our free democratic way of life and how much we cherish our nation," she told a news conference.
For practical purposes, Taiwan is an independent state - it has its own elected government, constitution and military - but China refuses to have diplomatic relations with any country that recognises Taiwan as a sovereign nation.
Palau, Marshall Islands, Nauru and Tuvalu have retained diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
However, last year, Solomon Islands and Kiribati both switched diplomatic recognition to China.
Nauru has also congratulated the president on her re-election, describing her as a "great friend" of Nauru and the Pacific region: "We look forward to continuing to stand with Taiwan and stand up for democracy across the world," it tweeted.
Former Marshall Islands president Hilda Heine also showed her support.
Congratulations to President Tsai @iingwen on your re-election and to the people of Taiwan on the conduct of the elections. The Marshall Islands and Taiwan are the greatest of friends. pic.twitter.com/cygqSARWrD
— Dr. Hilda C. Heine (@President_Heine) January 12, 2020
RNZ / BBC
