US President Donald Trump has cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China. I'm not looking to have somebody go independent, the US president told Fox News on Friday, at the end of his two-day summit with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously stated that Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence because it already sees itself as a sovereign nation.
The US has long supported Taiwan, including being bound by law to provide it with a means of self-defence but has frequently had to square this alliance with maintaining a diplomatic relationship with China.
Trump earlier said he had made no commitment either way about the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking by force. Washington's established position is that it does not support Taiwanese independence, with continued ties with Beijing being contingent on its acceptance that there is only one Chinese government.
Beijing has been vocal in its dislike of Taiwan's president, who it has previously described as a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace. Many Taiwanese consider themselves to be part of a separate nation - though most are in favour of maintaining the status quo in which Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
In his interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated that US policy on the matter had not changed: You know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles (15,289km) to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.
On the flight back to Washington, the US president had told reporters that he and Xi had spoken a lot about the island but said he had declined to discuss whether the US would defend it. Xi feels very strongly about the island and doesn't want to see a movement for independence, Trump said.
The Taiwan question is seen as the most important issue in China-US relations. Xi warned during the talks that mishandling it could lead to conflict between the two nations. Asked if he foresaw a conflict with China over Taiwan, Trump had replied: No, I don't think so. I think we'll be fine. [Xi] doesn't want to see a war.
China has ramped up military drills around the island in recent years, raising tensions in the region and testing the balance that Washington has struck. Late last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion package of weapons to be sold to Taiwan, which Beijing condemned. Trump said he would soon decide whether that sale could go ahead, adding that he and Xi had discussed it in great detail.
The US does not have formal relations with Taiwan, though it maintains substantial unofficial relations. US presidents do not traditionally speak directly to Taiwan's leader, and to do so would likely cause significant tensions with Beijing, which considers Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te a separatist.
Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi indicated that the island needs to clarify the exact meaning of Trump's remarks while stating that US arms sales to Taiwan are confirmed under US law. Taiwan-US arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability, he added, emphasizing that the island remains a guardian of peace amidst aggressive military actions from China.
The US has long supported Taiwan, including being bound by law to provide it with a means of self-defence but has frequently had to square this alliance with maintaining a diplomatic relationship with China.
Trump earlier said he had made no commitment either way about the self-governing island, which China claims as part of its territory and has not ruled out taking by force. Washington's established position is that it does not support Taiwanese independence, with continued ties with Beijing being contingent on its acceptance that there is only one Chinese government.
Beijing has been vocal in its dislike of Taiwan's president, who it has previously described as a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace. Many Taiwanese consider themselves to be part of a separate nation - though most are in favour of maintaining the status quo in which Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
In his interview with Fox News, Trump reiterated that US policy on the matter had not changed: You know, we're supposed to travel 9,500 miles (15,289km) to fight a war. I'm not looking for that. I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down.
On the flight back to Washington, the US president had told reporters that he and Xi had spoken a lot about the island but said he had declined to discuss whether the US would defend it. Xi feels very strongly about the island and doesn't want to see a movement for independence, Trump said.
The Taiwan question is seen as the most important issue in China-US relations. Xi warned during the talks that mishandling it could lead to conflict between the two nations. Asked if he foresaw a conflict with China over Taiwan, Trump had replied: No, I don't think so. I think we'll be fine. [Xi] doesn't want to see a war.
China has ramped up military drills around the island in recent years, raising tensions in the region and testing the balance that Washington has struck. Late last year, the Trump administration announced an $11 billion package of weapons to be sold to Taiwan, which Beijing condemned. Trump said he would soon decide whether that sale could go ahead, adding that he and Xi had discussed it in great detail.
The US does not have formal relations with Taiwan, though it maintains substantial unofficial relations. US presidents do not traditionally speak directly to Taiwan's leader, and to do so would likely cause significant tensions with Beijing, which considers Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te a separatist.
Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Ming-chi indicated that the island needs to clarify the exact meaning of Trump's remarks while stating that US arms sales to Taiwan are confirmed under US law. Taiwan-US arms sales have always been a cornerstone of regional peace and stability, he added, emphasizing that the island remains a guardian of peace amidst aggressive military actions from China.
