Taiwan has insisted it is a sovereign, independent nation, after US President Donald Trump cautioned it against formally declaring independence from China. Trump's remarks came after a two-day summit in Beijing, after which he 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.
After talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump also said he would soon decide whether to approve an $11bn weapons package to be sold to Taiwan. The US administration is bound by law to provide Taiwan with a means of self-defense, but has frequently had to balance this alliance with maintaining a diplomatic relationship with China.
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. On Saturday, presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said it was self-evident that Taiwan was a sovereign, independent democratic country. She added, however, that Taiwan was committed to maintaining the status quo with China - in which Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
Many Taiwanese consider themselves to be part of a separate nation, though most are in favor of maintaining their current status. 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.
In an interview with Fox News after meetings with President Xi, Trump reiterated that US policy on Taiwan had not changed, while making it clear he did not seek conflict with Beijing.
Beijing has ramped up military drills around the island in recent years, raising tensions in the region. Trump stated that the impending arms package would be discussed with Taiwan's leadership, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
After talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump also said he would soon decide whether to approve an $11bn weapons package to be sold to Taiwan. The US administration is bound by law to provide Taiwan with a means of self-defense, but has frequently had to balance this alliance with maintaining a diplomatic relationship with China.
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. On Saturday, presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said it was self-evident that Taiwan was a sovereign, independent democratic country. She added, however, that Taiwan was committed to maintaining the status quo with China - in which Taiwan neither declares independence from China nor unites with it.
Many Taiwanese consider themselves to be part of a separate nation, though most are in favor of maintaining their current status. 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.
In an interview with Fox News after meetings with President Xi, Trump reiterated that US policy on Taiwan had not changed, while making it clear he did not seek conflict with Beijing.
Beijing has ramped up military drills around the island in recent years, raising tensions in the region. Trump stated that the impending arms package would be discussed with Taiwan's leadership, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
