Trump Warns Taiwan Against Declaring Independence, Taipei: We Are a Sovereign Nation
TAIWAN has reiterated its status as a sovereign and independent nation. This statement comes after US President Donald Trump warned the self-governing island against formally declaring independence from China.
Trump made the remarks after attending a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the meeting, Trump said he did not make any commitments regarding Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. He also stated that he would soon decide whether to approve a $11 billion arms sale package to Taiwan.
In response, Taiwanese Presidential Spokesperson Karen Kuo said on Saturday that it is clear that Taiwan is a “sovereign and independent democratic nation.” However, she added that Taiwan remains committed to maintaining the status quo, where Taiwan does not declare formal independence or unite with China.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had previously stated that Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence as it already considers itself a sovereign nation.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Fox News after meeting Xi Jinping, Trump affirmed that US policy towards Taiwan has not changed. He emphasized that he does not want to see conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
“I don’t want somebody to be independent,” Trump said. “Because you know, we have to go 9,500 miles (15,289 km) to fight. I don’t want that. I want them to be calm. I want China to be calm.”
Trump also revealed that Xi Jinping has a very strong stance on Taiwan and does not want to see an independence movement. Beijing has often expressed its disapproval of President Lai Ching-te, even calling him a “troublemaker” and a “destroyer of cross-strait peace.”
Legally, the US is obligated to provide defense for Taiwan. However, Washington must balance this alliance with maintaining diplomatic relations with China, given that the official US position is not to support Taiwanese independence.
In response to these developments, the Taiwanese presidential spokesperson expressed gratitude for US attention.
“Our nation thanks President Trump for his continued support of security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term,” said the Taiwanese presidential spokesperson.
“Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the US to achieve peace through strength, ensuring that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are not threatened or undermined, which is in the common interest of Taiwan, the US, and the global democratic community.” (BBC/Z-2)