Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Monday that a visit of an informal United States delegation shortly after Taiwan’s elections was of great significance.

President-elect Lai Ching-te from Ms Tsai’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won the race with 40.2 per cent of ballots on Saturday.

The president-elect will be inaugurated on May 20.

During the Monday meeting at the Presidential Office, Ms Tsai stressed that the visit of the U.S. group is of great significance, not only fully demonstrating the U.S. support for Taiwan’s democracy.

But that also highlights the close and rock-solid partnership between the two countries, according to the statement from her office.

According to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de facto U.S. embassy to Taipei, the group arrived in Taipei on Sunday.

The delegation included former national security adviser Stephen Hadley, former deputy secretary of state James Steinberg and AIT Chair Laura Rosenberger.

Mr Headley told Ms Tsai their visit to Taiwan was to reaffirm that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan was rock-solid, principled, and bipartisan, according to the statement from Ms Tsai’s office.

“We also look forward to continuing Taiwan-US relations under the leadership of the new government and jointly safeguarding peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,’’ Mr Headley said.

The U.S. delegation also went to the headquarters of DPP to congratulate Mr Lai and his running mate Hsiao Bi-khim, former Taiwan’s envoy to the U.S.

During the meeting, Mr Lai said the voters in Taiwan have shown the world their firm belief in democracy and freedom.

These core values shared by both Taiwan and the U.S. served as the long-term and solid foundation for partnership.

“In the past eight years, in the face of a rapidly changing world situation, Taiwan has firmly safeguarded democracy and peace, deepened cooperation with democratic partners, including the U.S., in a steady and pragmatic manner.

“We gained widespread support and trust from the international community. Although China continues to use military and other gray zone activities have intruded on Taiwan, but Taiwan still can respond calmly and cooperate with like-minded partners.

“This includes the U.S., to strive to maintain the peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait,’’ Mr Lai said.

Mr Lai told the visiting U.S. delegates that he would continue to rule the country on the basis established by Ms Tsai.

“We hope that the United States will continue to support Taiwan,’’ Mr Lai said.

The U.S. is legally bound to support Taiwan’s defence capabilities due to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.

Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the self-ruled island its territory. 

(dpa/NAN)