WASHINGTON –Asian allies are looking to find common ground with President-elect Joe Biden in hopes of more stable relationships with the U.S.
Japan and South Korea, America’s two key alliances in Asia, and Taiwan, an unofficial friend where the U.S. commits to maintaining defensive capability, are closely assessing what the Biden presidency means for their countries and hope mutually shared values and goals will advance their interests, according to news reports.
South Korea has focused on the president-elect’s close relationship with former South Korean president and ardent pro-democracy activist Kim Dae-jung.
Biden and Kim exchanged letters while Kim was struggling to put an end to the country’s military government in the 1980s. Recently disclosed letters showed Biden’s respect for Kim’s fight for democracy and support for his political agenda, according to documents in the Kim Dae-Jung Presidential Library and Museum.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in also sent a congratulatory tweet to both Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on Nov. 8. He did not explicitly congratulate them on winning the election.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, on the other hand, said on Twitter that she was congratulating Biden-Harris “on being elected President & VP-elect,” just a day after they declared victory on Nov. 7.
Taiwan, where the public shares a strong anti-China sentiment, is regarded as pro-Trump for his tough stance toward China. To reassure the public of the election outcome, Tsai assured that them there is bipartisan support for Taiwan in the U.S.
On a lighter note, Japan’s noontime news show ‘Hiruoibi’ aired by TBS Television, one of the leading private broadcasters in the country, looked into commonalities between Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Biden.
Two findings were revealed: they both are nondrinkers and love desserts.
The program showed photos of Suga eating a pancake and Biden devouring ice cream, drawing a conclusion that both leaders would get along well based on their cravings for sweets.