Taiwan reaffirms sovereignty and independence amid US-Taiwan tensions

Taiwan Affirms Sovereignty, Plans to Maintain Status Quo with US

Taipei, Taiwan - The Taiwanese government has issued a statement reaffirming its sovereignty and independence, while also confirming plans to maintain the “cross-strait status quo” with China. This comes after a visit from US President Donald Trump to China, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump stated that he is not looking for Taiwan to declare independence, citing concerns about the distance between the two countries and the potential for conflict. The US president emphasized his desire for both sides to “cool down” and avoid war.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Trump’s comments by stating that Washington’s policy towards Taiwan remains unchanged. The ministry also confirmed plans to deepen ties with the US, citing the importance of maintaining a strong security commitment to the island.

The statement noted that arms sales to Taiwan are not only a security commitment but also a joint deterrent against regional threats. China has long claimed Taiwan as its own territory and has increased military pressure on the island in recent years.

The tension between Taiwan and China is ongoing, with Chinese state media reporting that Xi Jinping told Trump that Taiwan is the “most important issue in China-US relations”. The US president indicated that he had not yet decided whether to sign off on a new $11 billion arms package to Taiwan, which has already been approved by the US Congress.

The US maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity on Taiwan, adhering to the “One China” policy and avoiding formal recognition or ties with the government in Taipei. The US provides defensive weapons to Taiwan as required under a 1979 law, and the two countries also maintain close trade ties.

Source: Al Jazeera