WASHINGTON, January 13. /TASS/. The US does not support Taiwan's independence, US President Joe Biden told reporters following the recent presidential elections in the island.

"We do not support independence," Biden said outside the White House, when asked to comment on Saturday's elections before going to the Camp David retreat in Maryland.

That’s consistent with US regular statements in support of the one-China policy.

Lai Ching-te, a candidate from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, has won the island’s presidential election, according to election officials. According to the Taiwanese Central Election Commission, he collected 40.05% of the votes, while his closest rival Hou You-yi, from the opposition Kuomintang party, gathered 33.49%.

Taiwan has been governed by its local administration since 1949 when the Kuomintang’s remaining forces headed by Chiang Kai-shek were defeated in the Chinese Civil War and took refuge on the island. China regards the island as one of its provinces.