Taipei: A top US official has said the upcoming polls in Taiwan should be free from “outside interference”.

"U.S. support for Taiwan remains rock-solid, principled, and bipartisan, and that support is entirely consistent with our one China policy and longstanding commitments,"  Sandra Oudkirk, director of the American Institute in Taiwan and de facto US ambassador said as she addressed the National Taiwan University.

"We firmly believe that the U.S. commitment to Taiwan contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and helps to create a more stable and resilient region," she said.

Speaking on the upcoming polls, she said: "As Taiwan gets closer to its elections, I want to emphasize that the United States has deep confidence in Taiwan’s electoral processes and democratic system."

She said the people of Taiwan should decide their next leader and that should be 'free from outside interference'.

"The United States is not taking sides in Taiwan’s election, we do not have a preferred candidate, and we know very well that we do not have a vote," she said.

She said the relationship between the US and Taiwan regardless of the winner of the election.

What is the basis of China’s claim over Taiwan?

The basis of China’s claim over Taiwan dates back to 1945 when Japan lost its control over the island in 1945,post-World War Two. 

The 1949 Chinese civil war led to communists taking control and Chiang Kai-shek the one who lost fled to Taiwan. 

He ruled it for many decades. This is where China’s claim to Taiwan emanates. 

The very fact that Chiang Kai-shek came to Taiwan and was not indigenous to the place is Taiwan’s argument against the claim.