Retired U.S. officials have met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and praised the island's democratic processes under which it elected a new president and legislature over the weekend in defiance of China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and threat to annex it by military force.

A war of words has erupted the day after Taiwan’s presidential election, with Taiwan accusing China of making “fallacious comments” and China criticizing the U.S. for congratulating the winner.