Foreign Ministry: Only Taiwanese can decide their own fate, committed to maintaining peace
Regarding US President Trump's statement that he does not want to see Taiwan move towards independence but rather maintain the status quo, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry stated that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent nation, and only its 23 million people can decide its fate through democratic means.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 13:12
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Central News Agency, reporter Wu Shuwei, Taipei, May 16 (Report) Regarding US President Trump's comment that he does not want to see Taiwan move towards independence, but rather maintain the status quo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Chen Ming-chi stated today that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent nation, and only the 23 million Taiwanese people can decide their own fate through democratic means. Taiwan is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
The National Security Research Society held a seminar this morning on "US-China-Taiwan Relations after the Trump-Xi Summit," inviting Chen Ming-chi and Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Shen You-chung to speak. Both took a joint media interview before the meeting. Chen Ming-chi said that Trump just returned to Washington, and the US has not yet briefed Taiwan on the Trump-Xi summit.
Fox News aired an exclusive interview with Trump after his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping today. Trump said he did not want to see Taiwan move towards independence, but rather maintain the status quo, and said both China and Taiwan should ease the situation.
Chen Ming-chi stated that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent nation, which is a very certain fact. The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. Only the 23 million Taiwanese people can decide their own fate through democratic means. Taiwan is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait in the region, and regional security is the region's greatest and most important asset. Taiwan's attitude has always been like this.
When asked about the Mainland Affairs Council's stance, Shen You-chung said that Taiwan's current policy is to be committed to the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, maintain the survival of the Republic of China, and the future of Taiwan will be decided together by 23 million people, and cooperate with other friendly and allied nations to deepen democratic development. The government will cautiously respond to Trump's remarks, maintain communication with the US, and cooperate together; regional stability is the common interest of both sides.
Regarding whether the reported $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan can be smoothly approved, Chen Ming-chi said, "No comment." This is something that has not been completely disclosed yet. We will continue to communicate with the US to understand. Subsequent arms sales are all continuously communicated with the US. The specific figures mentioned by the media have not been formally proposed yet, and Trump also mentioned on his special plane that he will make a decision himself in the next few days.
Chen Ming-chi said that Taiwan must show its determination to defend itself and is willing to invest resources, which is where the key lies.
Shen You-chung added that Trump specifically emphasized during the Trump-Xi summit that he did not make any commitments to the Chinese side on the issue of arms sales, which is a very important signal. So, some external doubts about whether the "Six Assurances" are being challenged "I think this is over-interpretation," and the public does not need to worry too much.
Chen Ming-chi pointed out that Taiwan certainly hopes that the issue of arms sales will not be discussed. Trump said it was Xi Jinping who raised it on his own initiative, and Trump made some responses. The specific content still needs to be understood, but the US's consistent position is to support Taiwan's national defense.
Shen You-chung mentioned that the Chinese Communist Party's use of force to force talks and use force to force unification has always been the key tone of its policy toward Taiwan. The government also pays high attention to the Chinese Communist Party's increase in defense budgets, calling on whether it is drones or the overall defense budget, it is Taiwan's very important foundation for defending the status quo and defending the survival of the Republic of China with strength and defending the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait with strength. He called on the public, regardless of party affiliation, to work together for the survival of the Republic of China.
Regarding Trump's mention of hoping that all Taiwanese chips will be produced in the US, Chen Ming-chi said that the investment MOU reached between Taiwan and the US also discusses related issues. The most important thing is based on the needs of manufacturers' global layout. Trump has always hoped for the re-industrialization of the US. With Taiwan's limited resources, manufacturers have also expressed their intention to layout globally, like companies like TSMC having global layout, which is a very reasonable direction.
The National Security Research Society held a seminar this morning on "US-China-Taiwan Relations after the Trump-Xi Summit," inviting Chen Ming-chi and Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council Shen You-chung to speak. Both took a joint media interview before the meeting. Chen Ming-chi said that Trump just returned to Washington, and the US has not yet briefed Taiwan on the Trump-Xi summit.
Fox News aired an exclusive interview with Trump after his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping today. Trump said he did not want to see Taiwan move towards independence, but rather maintain the status quo, and said both China and Taiwan should ease the situation.
Chen Ming-chi stated that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent nation, which is a very certain fact. The Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other. Only the 23 million Taiwanese people can decide their own fate through democratic means. Taiwan is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait in the region, and regional security is the region's greatest and most important asset. Taiwan's attitude has always been like this.
When asked about the Mainland Affairs Council's stance, Shen You-chung said that Taiwan's current policy is to be committed to the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, maintain the survival of the Republic of China, and the future of Taiwan will be decided together by 23 million people, and cooperate with other friendly and allied nations to deepen democratic development. The government will cautiously respond to Trump's remarks, maintain communication with the US, and cooperate together; regional stability is the common interest of both sides.
Regarding whether the reported $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan can be smoothly approved, Chen Ming-chi said, "No comment." This is something that has not been completely disclosed yet. We will continue to communicate with the US to understand. Subsequent arms sales are all continuously communicated with the US. The specific figures mentioned by the media have not been formally proposed yet, and Trump also mentioned on his special plane that he will make a decision himself in the next few days.
Chen Ming-chi said that Taiwan must show its determination to defend itself and is willing to invest resources, which is where the key lies.
Shen You-chung added that Trump specifically emphasized during the Trump-Xi summit that he did not make any commitments to the Chinese side on the issue of arms sales, which is a very important signal. So, some external doubts about whether the "Six Assurances" are being challenged "I think this is over-interpretation," and the public does not need to worry too much.
Chen Ming-chi pointed out that Taiwan certainly hopes that the issue of arms sales will not be discussed. Trump said it was Xi Jinping who raised it on his own initiative, and Trump made some responses. The specific content still needs to be understood, but the US's consistent position is to support Taiwan's national defense.
Shen You-chung mentioned that the Chinese Communist Party's use of force to force talks and use force to force unification has always been the key tone of its policy toward Taiwan. The government also pays high attention to the Chinese Communist Party's increase in defense budgets, calling on whether it is drones or the overall defense budget, it is Taiwan's very important foundation for defending the status quo and defending the survival of the Republic of China with strength and defending the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait with strength. He called on the public, regardless of party affiliation, to work together for the survival of the Republic of China.
Regarding Trump's mention of hoping that all Taiwanese chips will be produced in the US, Chen Ming-chi said that the investment MOU reached between Taiwan and the US also discusses related issues. The most important thing is based on the needs of manufacturers' global layout. Trump has always hoped for the re-industrialization of the US. With Taiwan's limited resources, manufacturers have also expressed their intention to layout globally, like companies like TSMC having global layout, which is a very reasonable direction.