Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te stated on Sunday that Taiwan is a sovereign and democratic country, rejecting Beijing's claims of sovereignty. His comments follow US President Donald Trump's recent summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, which raised concerns in Taiwan about Washington's support.
Lai's Declaration on Taiwan's Status
Addressing the issue of "Taiwan independence," Lai clarified that the term simply means the island does not belong to nor is subordinate to the People's Republic of China. He emphasized that the Republic of China, which governs Taiwan, has been integrated with the island for decades.
"Everyone can clearly understand that the meaning of the term 'Taiwan independence' actually refers to Taiwan not being part of the People's Republic of China," Lai said. "It refers to the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China not being subordinate to each other."
Historical Context
After losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's communists in 1949, the defeated Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan and declared martial law. The island transitioned to a democracy in the 1990s. The Republic of China includes Taiwan, the Penghu islands, and the Kinmen and Matsu islands near the Chinese coast.
"Whether we call it the Republic of China, Taiwan, or any other name internationally, it refers to us: the 23 million people of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu," Lai added.
Trump's Remarks and Taiwan's Response
Following his Beijing trip, Trump told Fox News, "We're not looking to have somebody say, 'Let's go independent because the US is backing us.'" The Taiwanese presidential office responded by reaffirming that Taiwan is a "sovereign, independent democratic country."
Despite China's threats to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, Lai expressed gratitude for Trump's continued support for Taiwan's security. "Our nation is grateful to President Trump for his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term in office," Lai said.
Future Cooperation
The Taiwanese presidential office stated, "Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the US to achieve peace through strength, ensuring that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not threatened or undermined, which serves the common interests of Taiwan, the US, and the global democratic community."
Trump has not yet decided on further arms sales to Taiwan, a key aspect of US-Taiwan relations. China has warned that US weapons for Taiwan "will end up in a museum."
