In their first call since November, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned US President Donald Trump to be “prudential” in supplying weapons. Taiwanaccording to a readout of their call provided by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“President Xi emphasized that the Taiwan issue is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Readout said. “China must protect its own sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow Taiwan to break away. The US should handle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan prudently.”
Hours later, the self-ruled island’s president, Lai Ching-tae, said ties with the US were “strong”.
“The Taiwan-US relationship is strong, and all cooperation projects will continue uninterrupted,” Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tae told reporters Thursday during a visit to textile traders in western Taiwan.
Taiwan is a self-governing democracy that China claims is its own territory and will take over by force if necessary. Beijing has banned all countries with which it has diplomatic ties – including the US – from having official ties with Taipei.
However, although the US does not officially recognize Taiwan as a country, it is the island’s strongest unofficial supporter and arms supplier.
In December, the US State Department announced Its largest arms sales package to Taiwanworth more than $11.1bn, including missiles, artillery systems and drones. The package is yet to be approved by Congress.
China The proposed arms sales were strongly reacted toconducting Two days of military exercises Around the island in late December, it sent air, naval and missile divisions.
Arms sales are also facing pushback from Taiwan’s opposition KMT party and a segment of its population, with defense spending rising to 3.3% of Taiwan’s gross domestic product.
Taiwan’s opposition-controlled parliament blocked Lai’s budget plan, which included a $40bn special defense budget, instead proposing a much smaller defense spending plan.
Late Wednesday, Trump said the call with Xi, which covered topics including Taiwan’s future, was “wonderful” and “comprehensive” in a post on Truth Social.
The call also covered Russia’s war in Ukraine, the “current situation with Iran” and China’s purchase of oil and gas from the US, Trump wrote in the post.
He said he was looking forward to a visit to China in April, the first of his current tenure.
Trump said China is considering buying 20 million tons of US soybeans this season, compared to 12 million tons last season.
