Taiwan President Rejects Pressure to Surrender Democracy and Sovereignty

Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te said Sunday the island will not be pressured into surrendering its democracy or sovereignty, days after Taiwan was a central topic in talks between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Taiwan will not provoke or escalate conflict, but it will also not relinquish its national sovereignty and dignity, or its democratic and free way of life, under pressure,” Lai posted on social media.

“Taiwan has always been a staunch maintainer of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, not a party seeking to change it,” he said, adding that China was the “root cause of regional instability.”

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has pledged to reunify by force if necessary.

Lai’s remarks came after Trump told Fox News on Friday that he was not “looking to have somebody go independent,” referring to Taiwan.

The interview followed Trump’s summit with Xi earlier in the week, during which tensions between the governments in Taipei and Beijing loomed large.

According to remarks published by Chinese state media, Xi said the Taiwan question was the “most important issue in China-US relations.”

“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” Xi reportedly added.

The question of Taiwan’s sovereignty has been a fractious issue dating back to the Chinese civil war in the 1940s.

While the U.S. does not officially endorse Taiwan’s independence claims, successive administrations have supported the island through arms sales and statements suggesting Washington could defend Taiwan if attacked by China.

Recounting his exchange with Xi to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said Xi “feels very strongly” about his opposition to Taiwanese independence.

Trump added he “made no commitment either way” on the issue. He also indicated he has not yet decided whether to approve a new $11 billion arms package to Taiwan, already cleared by the U.S. Congress.

“I haven’t approved it yet. We’re going to see what happens,” Trump told Fox News. “I may do it. I may not do it.”

In his Sunday statement, Lai stressed that Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation and arms sales are “key elements” in maintaining regional stability.

“This is not only a US security commitment to Taiwan, but also the most important deterrent force against undermining regional peace and stability,” said Lai.