US state department pressed about Lai’s White House remarks
US state department pressed about Lai’s White House remarks
2023-08-01
The DPP’s Lai Ching-te made headlines last month when he said that when Taiwan’s president can enter the White House, “the political goal that we’re pursuing will have been achieved.” The remarks were a hot topic at the U.S. state department’s latest press conference. When asked to respond to Lai, department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized that the U.S.’ “one China” policy remained unchanged. He also addressed Lai’s upcoming stopovers in the U.S., saying that such transits are, quote, nothing out of the ordinary.
Vice President Lai Ching-te was spotted in Changhua enjoying authentic local flavors. He gave up a smile when locals greeted him as Mr. President.
Lai promised to return as Taiwan’s president. With sights set on continuing DPP rule, Lai will embark on a state visit next week. He will attend Paraguay’s presidential inauguration and transit in the U.S., on his way over and back.
Matthew Miller
US state department spokesperson
And with respect to his transit, such transits have happened numerous times going back decades over multiple administrations, and there’s nothing out of the ordinary about them.
The U.S. emphasized that Lai’s transit stops were normal. But according to insiders, Lai’s previous remarks about entering the White House had sparked concerns in Washington. The topic came up again at the state department’s latest press briefing.
Journalist
He said that, quote, “When Taiwan’s president can enter the White House, the political goal that we’re pursuing will have been achieved.” What is the state department’s comment on those remarks?
Matthew Miller
US state department spokesperson
I don’t have any reaction to his remarks. I will say that from the United States’ perspective, our “one China” policy has not changed.
In mid-July, the Financial Times reported that Washington sought an explanation from Taiwan, after Lai said entering the White House represented the achievement of his political goal. The report also quoted a senior U.S. official, who said the White House had not been in touch with Lai himself, his campaign, or his staff. During Monday’s press briefing, the state department was asked if it feared Lai’s election could damage U.S.-China relations. The state department declined to respond. It said only that it would not address comments made by any political candidate of another country.
Lin Ching-yi
DPP lawmaker
I think that both we and the U.S. are very clear on the fact that when Vice President Lai Ching-te spoke about entering the White House, he was expressing a hope for more normal exchanges between two democratic nations. Any normal democratic nation understands the need to respect, to not interfere with the public discourse of other countries’ democratic elections.
Ahead of his trip overseas, Lai’s White House remarks have ignited debate. As Taiwan’s vice president and a presidential contender, his every move in the U.S. will be under scrutiny.
賴清德"走入白宮"? 國務院:一中政策沒有改變
2023-08-01
副總統賴清德下禮拜即將出訪，來回都將過境美國，美國國務院發言人今天在例行媒體簡報會被問到這件事，表示類似過境已經很多次，沒有不尋常。不過，外媒也詢問，國務院怎麼看賴清德的"走入白宮說"？國務院發言人米勒表示，沒有回應，就美國而言，一中政策沒有改變。
副總統賴清德到彰化吃小吃，滿桌道地的台灣味，伴著民眾一聲聲總統好，讓他笑得好靦腆。
約好當選總統要再來，力拚延續綠營執政，賴清德下周即將出發，出席友邦巴拉圭總統就職大典，來回都將過境美國。
[[美國國務院發言人 米勒]]
“至於他(賴清德)的過境，類似過境過去幾十年多屆政府，已經發生過非常多次，沒什麼不尋常”
美方強調，賴清德過境很正常，只是他先前一句"走入白宮"，傳出在華府引發討論，成了外媒在國務院記者會上的發問焦點。
[[外媒記者]]
“他(賴清德)說，當台灣總統可以走入白宮，他追求的「政治目標」就達成了，國務院對此言論有何回應”
[[美國國務院發言人 米勒]]
“我對這些言論沒有回應，只能說從美國立場而言，我們的一中政策沒有改變“
上個月中，金融時報曾報導，對於賴清德所說的"當台灣總統可以走入白宮，所追求的政治目的就已經達成"，美國政府向台灣尋求解釋。但當時報導也指出，受訪的一名美國資深官員否認，指雙方沒有因這段發言有所接觸。不過外媒也追問，是否擔心賴清德當選，可能對美中關係造成負面影響，國務院不回應，強調不會去談論台灣或任何國家參選人的發言。
[[立委(民) 林靜儀]]
“我想美方跟我們都非常清楚，賴清德副總統所說的走進白宮，事實上就是希望跟美國建立更正常的，民主國家跟民主國家之間的交流跟來往，正常的民主國家也都知道，在公開的言論上面必須要去遵守，不干涉其他國家選舉的言論”
就在賴清德出訪前，一句"走入白宮"引發討論，可以預見，身為台灣副總統、身兼總統參選人，接下來過境美國的一舉一動，都將受到國際矚目。
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