Relief in Washington over Taiwan's election of president looking to engage with China

After eight years of often strained U.S.-Taiwan relations, the United States is welcoming with relief Taiwan voters' choice of a president committed to engage, not antagonize, rival China.

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou has promised to defuse tensions and expand trade with China. As always, the United States did not take sides in Saturday's vote. But President George W. Bush said later in a statement that the election "provides a fresh opportunity" for Taiwan and China to begin peacefully settling their differences. The two sides split in 1949 during China's civil war.

Taiwan potentially is the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Beijing …