Lauge Risom Koch 
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China and insisted only the island’s people can decide its future.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has again defended Taiwan’s sovereignty, stating that the island is not governed by Beijing and that only its people can determine its future.
His remarks come amid renewed uncertainty over US support for Taiwan following talks between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Sovereignty remarks
According to Reuters, Lai said the phrase “Taiwan independence” means that Taiwan is not beholden to the People’s Republic of China, and only the people of Taiwan may determine its own future.
Speaking at an event marking the 40th anniversary of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, Lai said the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China “are not subordinate to each other”.
“Everyone can clearly understand that the meaning of the phrase ‘Taiwan independence’ actually refers to the fact that Taiwan is not part of the People’s Republic of China,” Lai said.
Longstanding dispute
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly stated it could use force to bring the island under Beijing’s control if necessary.
According to Reuters, Taiwan’s government maintains that the island is already sovereign and independent under the name Republic of China.
The Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong’s communist forces, which established the People’s Republic of China.
Lai argued that Taiwan and the Republic of China have effectively become inseparable over decades.
US concerns
The comments came shortly after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
Following the summit, Trump told Fox News: “We don’t want anyone to say, ‘Let’s become independent, because the United States supports us.’”
According to Reuters, the remarks raised concerns in Taiwan over Washington’s long-term commitment to the island.
Trump also said he had not yet decided on future arms sales to Taiwan, despite longstanding US legislation supporting the island’s defence capabilities.
Political message
Lai did not directly mention Trump during his speech and declined to answer questions from reporters afterward.
He stressed that Taiwan’s future should only be determined by the people living on the island and surrounding territories.
“Whether we call it the Republic of China or Taiwan — basically, whatever name we have internationally, it refers to us,” Lai said.
Sources: Reuters, Fox News
