Lai vows Taiwan will not surrender sovereignty or democratic values amid US-China tensions
Lai identifies China as root of instability while noting US arms sales as key deterrent; Trump holds decision on $11bn package in abeyance
Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te has declared that the island will not relinquish its sovereignty, dignity, or democratic way of life under pressure, while simultaneously affirming that Taiwan will not provoke or escalate conflict with China. The statement, posted on social media on Sunday, comes in the wake of high-level discussions between the United States and China regarding the status of the self-governing territory.
Lai described Taiwan as a staunch maintainer of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, explicitly identifying China as the “root cause of regional instability.” This assertion follows a two-day summit in Beijing earlier this week between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the Taiwan question emerged as a central point of contention.
During the summit, Chinese state media reported that Xi Jinping characterised the Taiwan issue as the “most important issue in China-US relations.” Xi warned that mishandling the matter could lead to conflict, potentially pushing the broader bilateral relationship into a “highly perilous situation.” Trump later reported to reporters on Air Force One that Xi “feels very strongly” about opposing Taiwanese independence, though he confirmed he made “no commitment either way” on the specific issue.
The diplomatic friction coincides with uncertainty surrounding US security commitments to the island. Trump told Fox News on Friday that he was not “looking to have somebody go independent” regarding Taiwan. He further indicated that he had not yet decided whether to sign off on an $11bn arms package to Taiwan, despite the measure having been approved by the US Congress. “I haven’t approved it yet. We’re going to see what happens,” Trump said, adding, “I may do it. I may not do it.”
In his Sunday address, Lai Ching-te emphasised that US security cooperation and arms sales remain critical components for maintaining regional stability. He described these measures as the “most important deterrent force against undermining regional peace and stability,” framing them as essential US security commitments to the island. Beijing continues to consider Taiwan part of its territory and has pledged reunification by force if necessary, a stance that has defined the fractious sovereignty question since the Chinese civil war in the 1940s.
