"Taiwan's Leadership Shifts: Implications for U.S. Relations and China's Response"

A delegation of former U.S. officials met with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and her newly elected successor, Lai Ching-te, following Taiwan's election results, which saw the loss of one of its few remaining diplomatic relationships as Nauru announced it would switch ties to China. The U.S. delegation's visit and Secretary of State Antony Blinken's congratulatory message to Lai have drawn criticism from China, which opposes any official exchange between the U.S. and Taiwan. The move by Nauru to recognize Beijing over Taipei has been condemned by Taiwan as a challenge to democratic values and the international order, while China views it as an independent choice made by Nauru as a sovereign nation.