Taiwan condemns 'fallacious' Chinese comments on its election and awaits unofficial US visit

Taiwan has condemned what it says were “fallacious comments” by China following the self-governing island’s presidential and parliamentary election

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwan on Sunday condemned what it said were “fallacious comments” by China following the self-governing island's presidential and parliamentary election the previous day.

The verbal sparring did not bode well for the future of Taiwan's relations with China under the winner, President-elect Lai Ching-te, or for China's relations with the United States.

The U.S. said it has asked two former officials to go to Taiwan this week for post-election meetings with political leaders, a move that will likely displease China.

Former National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and former Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg will arrive in Taipei on Monday and have meetings on Tuesday, the American Institute in Taiwan said in a news release. The institute is the de-facto U.S. Embassy, since the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Lai's victory means the Democratic Progressive Party will continue to hold the presidency for a third four-year term, following eight years under President Tsai Ing-wen. China portrays the party as its nemesis and a major obstacle to its goal of bringing the island of 23 million people under its control.