Taiwan will not provoke any conflict but will also not give up its sovereignty, said its president Lai Ching-te after a high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping where they discussed the issue of Taiwan's independence.
According to Chinese state media, Xi had told Trump that Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing, was 'the most important issue' in bilateral ties and mishandling it could lead to conflict.
After his visit to Beijing, Trump issued a warning to Taiwan, telling Fox News: 'I'm not looking to have somebody go independent.'
The US is a longstanding ally of Taiwan and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. During his interview, Trump stated that US policy on Taiwan had not changed, while making it clear he did not seek conflict with Beijing.
Trump also emphasized Xi's strong feelings about Taiwan but claimed he had 'made no commitment either way'.
Under Lai and his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese government has maintained that there is no need to formally declare independence because they already consider Taiwan a sovereign nation. Lai reiterated this stance in a Facebook post after the summit, stating 'there is no 'Taiwan independence' issue'.
'Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent democratic country,' he wrote, adding that 'Taiwan's future must follow the will of all the Taiwanese people.'
Most people in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation yet favor the status quo in cross-strait relations: neither unifying with China nor formally declaring independence.
Beijing has expressed disapproval of Lai, labeling him a 'troublemaker' and 'destroyer of cross-strait peace'. Lai articulated that 'Taiwan will not provoke, will not escalate conflict, but will not under pressure give up national sovereignty and dignity, as well as the democratic and free way of life'.
'Taiwan has always been a firm defender of the status quo on both sides of the Strait,' he asserted, emphasizing a willingness to engage in healthy dialogue with China under the principles of equality and dignity, while rejecting attempts at coercive unification.
Earlier, a presidential spokesperson reaffirmed that it is 'self-evident' Taiwan is 'a sovereign, independent democratic country', while committing to maintaining the status quo. China insists on peaceful reunification but has not dismissed the use of force against the island.
For decades, the US has sold arms to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act to ensure its self-defense capabilities. Currently, the US remains Taiwan's key ally and largest arms supplier. In December, the Trump administration approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, generating backlash from Beijing, which has responded with increased military pressure, including blockade simulations.
Upon returning from China, Trump discussed a potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, with a decision pending. He reiterated that since 1982, the US has assured Taiwan that it would not consult Beijing regarding arms sales, yet Trump's recent remarks suggested a deviation from longstanding commitments.
On Sunday, Lai expressed gratitude for Trump's ongoing support of peace in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing the necessity of arms sales and deeper US-Taiwan security cooperation amid China's military expansion and persistent threat of force. Lai underscored that 'America's continued sale weapons to Taiwan and deeper US-Taiwan security cooperation is necessary and a key factor in maintaining regional peace and stability.'
According to Chinese state media, Xi had told Trump that Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by Beijing, was 'the most important issue' in bilateral ties and mishandling it could lead to conflict.
After his visit to Beijing, Trump issued a warning to Taiwan, telling Fox News: 'I'm not looking to have somebody go independent.'
The US is a longstanding ally of Taiwan and is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. During his interview, Trump stated that US policy on Taiwan had not changed, while making it clear he did not seek conflict with Beijing.
Trump also emphasized Xi's strong feelings about Taiwan but claimed he had 'made no commitment either way'.
Under Lai and his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese government has maintained that there is no need to formally declare independence because they already consider Taiwan a sovereign nation. Lai reiterated this stance in a Facebook post after the summit, stating 'there is no 'Taiwan independence' issue'.
'Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent democratic country,' he wrote, adding that 'Taiwan's future must follow the will of all the Taiwanese people.'
Most people in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation yet favor the status quo in cross-strait relations: neither unifying with China nor formally declaring independence.
Beijing has expressed disapproval of Lai, labeling him a 'troublemaker' and 'destroyer of cross-strait peace'. Lai articulated that 'Taiwan will not provoke, will not escalate conflict, but will not under pressure give up national sovereignty and dignity, as well as the democratic and free way of life'.
'Taiwan has always been a firm defender of the status quo on both sides of the Strait,' he asserted, emphasizing a willingness to engage in healthy dialogue with China under the principles of equality and dignity, while rejecting attempts at coercive unification.
Earlier, a presidential spokesperson reaffirmed that it is 'self-evident' Taiwan is 'a sovereign, independent democratic country', while committing to maintaining the status quo. China insists on peaceful reunification but has not dismissed the use of force against the island.
For decades, the US has sold arms to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act to ensure its self-defense capabilities. Currently, the US remains Taiwan's key ally and largest arms supplier. In December, the Trump administration approved $11 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, generating backlash from Beijing, which has responded with increased military pressure, including blockade simulations.
Upon returning from China, Trump discussed a potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, with a decision pending. He reiterated that since 1982, the US has assured Taiwan that it would not consult Beijing regarding arms sales, yet Trump's recent remarks suggested a deviation from longstanding commitments.
On Sunday, Lai expressed gratitude for Trump's ongoing support of peace in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing the necessity of arms sales and deeper US-Taiwan security cooperation amid China's military expansion and persistent threat of force. Lai underscored that 'America's continued sale weapons to Taiwan and deeper US-Taiwan security cooperation is necessary and a key factor in maintaining regional peace and stability.'
