Trump-Xi Meeting to Discuss US Arms Sales to Taiwan; US State Department: Committed to Maintaining Peace in Taiwan Strait

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency reporter Hou Tzu-ying, Washington, 12th exclusive report) US President Donald Trump is scheduled to depart for China later today. Trump stated yesterday that he would discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping, sparking public discussion. The US State Department stated today that Washington continues to adhere to the 'One China policy' based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Communiqués, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan, and is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on the evening of the 13th local time in China, marking his first visit to China since 2017. Trump and Xi are expected to meet on the 14th and 15th.

Ahead of his visit to China, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House yesterday that the Taiwan issue 'always' comes up in discussions with Xi Jinping, and he plans to discuss US arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping.

Trump said: 'I will discuss this with President Xi. President Xi does not want us to do this (arms sales), but I will talk to him. This is one of the many issues I will discuss.'

When asked by a Central News Agency reporter whether Trump's move violates the US 'Six Assurances' to Taiwan and whether it indicates a possible change in US policy towards Taiwan, a State Department spokesperson responded via email on background that the United States continues to adhere to the 'One China policy' based on the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three US-China Communiqués, and the Six Assurances to Taiwan; the United States is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

As of press time, the White House has not responded to reporters' inquiries.

The Six Assurances are: the United States has not agreed to set a date for the termination of arms sales to Taiwan, has not agreed to consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan, will not play a mediating role between Taipei and Beijing, has not agreed to revise the 'Taiwan Relations Act', has not changed its position regarding Taiwan's sovereignty, and will not pressure Taiwan to negotiate with China.

In addition, when US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was asked today at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee about the latest progress on some pending arms sales to Taiwan that the president has not yet authorized, he responded that 'the president is about to visit' and he will accompany him, and issues related to arms sales to Taiwan will be decided by the president himself.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was recently asked by the media about the Taiwan issue, stating that the Trump-Xi meeting may discuss the Taiwan issue, but US policy remains unchanged, and stability in the Taiwan Strait is beneficial to the United States, China, and the world. Senior US officials also pointed out on the 10th that Trump and Xi continue to have dialogue on Taiwan, and no changes in US policy are expected.

Trump is scheduled to depart for China this afternoon. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly previously stated that Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on the evening of the 13th, attend a welcome ceremony and hold a summit with Xi Jinping on the morning of the 14th, and attend a state dinner in the evening; on the morning of the 15th, Trump will have a tea talk and working lunch with Xi Jinping before leaving. (Editor: Hung Chi-yuan) 1150513

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