Taiwan says it remains sovereign and independent following Trump's Beijing visit, where he cautioned against formal independence declaration.
7:32 PM
Taiwan has reasserted its status as a sovereign and independent nation following US President Donald Trump's two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump said in a Fox News interview recorded in Beijing that Xi Jinping's remarks about Taiwan did not constitute a "threat" to the United States. He stated he wanted both Taipei and China to "calm down" and expressed a preference that the geopolitical situation between the two remain unchanged. "I would like things to remain as they are," Trump said.
The US president disclosed that Taiwan was a primary concern for Xi Jinping during their bilateral talks. "We talked about this subject all night. I think I know more about Taiwan right now than almost any other country," Trump said. He also speculated that China would not attack the island during the remainder of his presidency, though he acknowledged suspecting a military scenario could occur later.
In response, Taiwan's government issued a statement Saturday saying the island is "sovereign and independent." The statement added that Taiwan intends to maintain the "cross-strait status quo," under which it will not formally declare independence from China.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously stated that Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence because it already exists as an independent entity.
Trump cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China, which claims the self-governing island as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force. Following his Beijing meetings, Trump said he had "made no commitment either way" regarding the island.
The US administration is bound by law to provide Taiwan with a means of self-defence. Trump said he would soon decide whether to approve an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan. The United States has frequently had to balance this defence commitment with maintaining diplomatic relations with China.
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