Responding to Trump invasion comments, Taiwan says must rely on itself for security

Asked about Trump’s remarks, Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said the government closely monitored interactions between senior US and Chinese officials.

“Taiwan’s security must be achieved through its own efforts, so our country has been dedicating itself to raising its self defence capabilities and resilience. Our country will keep working hard to do this,” Hsiao told reporters in Taipei.

The United States is Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, although there are no formal diplomatic ties. There is also no defence treaty so should China attack Washington is under no obligation to help.

The United States, which is however bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, has long stuck to a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” not making clear whether it would respond militarily to a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

Trump made the invasion comments in an interview with Fox News, ahead of talks in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

On Monday, China’s foreign ministry said Taiwan was an internal matter that was for the Chinese people to resolve.
Taiwan’s government vehemently opposes China’s sovereignty claims.