The US Department of State yesterday said that its stance toward Taiwan has not changed, reaffirming that it opposes any unilateral change to the “status quo” and that China is the biggest threat to peace in the Taiwan Strait.
The remarks came in response to a Wall Street Journal article published on Saturday last week that said Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is no longer satisfied with the US stance that it “does not support Taiwanese independence.”
Xi plans to ask US President Donald Trump to formally “oppose Taiwanese independence” during trade deal talks between the two leaders, the article said.
Photo: Reuters
The US' stance on Taiwan has not changed, a US Department of State spokesperson said yesterday.
The US continues to adhere to the “one China” policy and follow the Taiwan Relations Act, Three Joint Communiques between the US and China, and the “six assurances” toward Taiwan, the spokesperson said.
The US is committed to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral change to the “status quo,” they said.
China’s actions continue to be the “single greatest threat” to regional peace and stability, they added.
For Xi, the US' stance of not supporting Taiwanese independence is neutral, whereas directly opposing it would align with Beijing’s policy, the Wall Street Journal article said.
This would mean the US taking a clear stance against Taiwan sovereignty, affecting the situation in the Taiwan Strait and helping Xi consolidate power, the article said.
Xi believes Trump could be convinced to change his position toward Taiwan in his eagerness to reach a trade deal with China, it said.
Trump and Xi plan to talk during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in South Korea, which opens on Oct. 31, the article said.
Trump might also visit Beijing early next year if China cooperates on a trade deal, while Xi might visit the US in December next year, it said.
It is an objective fact that the Republic of China, Taiwan and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Hsiao Kuang-wei (蕭光偉) said today in response to the US Department of State's comments.
Taiwan has made it clear to the international community that it is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, he told a news conference.
The international community is aware of China’s intention to change the “status quo” in the Strait, he added.
The ministry would continue to monitor China’s manipulation of the narrative and closely communicate with the US and allies, Hsiao said.
The foreign ministers of the US, Japan and South Korea in a joint statement after the G7 summit reiterated their support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as their opposition to any attempt to change the “status quo” by force or coercion, he said.
Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, aims to cooperate with like-minded countries to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in the Strait and the region, he said.
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