Xi Jinping Urges Trump to Oppose Taiwan Independence

During a summit in Washington on Thursday, Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China, urged U.S. President Donald Trump to change the American position on Taiwan. President Xi requested that the United States adhere to the correct position of opposing Taiwan independence, asserting that China's stance on national reunification and territorial integrity is clear-cut.

This request seeks a semantic shift from the current U.S. policy of not supporting Taiwan independence. Such a change would allow Beijing to cast doubt on American support for the island and potentially justify increased harassment. The exchange follows a May meeting in Beijing where President Trump paused a planned $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, describing the deal as a bargaining chip. Trump previously noted that the U.S. is not looking to encourage Taiwan to go independent based on American backing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan denounced President Xi's remarks as a distortion of the facts. The ministry stated that the Chinese Communist Party has no right to represent the Taiwanese people and labeled China the true disruptor of regional peace, citing military threats in the East and South China Seas. Taiwan maintains that its future can only be determined by its people through democratic means.