Trump Hopes for Status Quo in Taiwan Strait; KMT: KMT Insists on Opposing Taiwan Independence According to the Constitution

US President Trump stated that he does not want to see Taiwan move toward independence but rather maintain the status quo. KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang pointed out today that maintaining the status quo in accordance with the ROC Constitution and firmly opposing Taiwan independence is not only the KMT's long-term persistence and advocacy, but also the only pragmatic solution that echoes international expectations and ensures the Taiwan Strait is free from the flames of war. In a Fox News interview, US President Trump stated that he does not want to see Taiwan move toward independence but rather maintain the status quo, and said that both China and Taiwan should let the situation cool down. Trump also said that US policy on Taiwan has not changed. KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Pei-hsiang issued a press release today pointing out that the KMT's core foreign policy is 'being close to the US and friendly to China to create a win-win situation', upholding the position of defending the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of China and its territorial integrity, and protecting the lives and property of the 23 million people of Taiwan. Lin Pei-hsiang pointed out that 'maintaining the status quo and opposing Taiwan independence' is the greatest common denominator for Taiwan-US and regional security. Trump's official statement once again confirmed that the international community does not want to see any unilateral provocative behavior that changes the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Maintaining the status quo in accordance with the ROC Constitution and firmly opposing Taiwan independence is not only the KMT's long-term persistence and advocacy, but also the only pragmatic solution that echoes international expectations and ensures the Taiwan Strait is free from the flames of war. Lin Pei-hsiang said that national security should not be based on political commitments based on 'blank checks'. The security of the Republic of China must be based on its own national defense capabilities and stable cross-strait relations. The Lai government should not misinterpret or even manipulate US support for Taiwan and arms sales to Taiwan as political chips to promote Taiwan independence, which will consume Taiwan-US mutual trust and push Taiwan to the edge of potential conflict. Lin Pei-hsiang said that entrusting Taiwan's security entirely to a specific country and attempting to drag international allies into the risk of war is an extremely irresponsible governing attitude. Lin Pei-hsiang said that we should implement cross-strait peaceful exchanges and national defense self-reliance, and replace provocation with pragmatism. The KMT caucus has always insisted on 'strengthening autonomous defense (Defense)' and 'cross-strait communication and dialogue (Dialogue)' simultaneously. Only by building peaceful, effective, and smooth communication channels and mutual trust across the strait can we truly defend against external war risks and ensure the peace and prosperity of the people of Taiwan. KMT spokesperson and KMT legislator Niu Hsu-ting also posted on Facebook that Trump reaffirmed 'maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait' through an exclusive interview, and also clearly expressed his opposition to war and his wish not to move toward Taiwan independence; this expression is completely consistent with the main theme of reducing conflict in the Xi-Trump talks, and does not deviate from the pattern of strategic ambiguity and ensuring the status quo in the general direction. Niu Hsu-ting said that politically, this is naturally a basin of cold water poured on the DPP's manipulation of the Taiwan independence line and the claims that the US will inevitably defend Taiwan; Taiwan society must eventually face international changes, being pragmatic, managing risks, and abandoning ideology is the right way, and this is also the consistent proposition of the Blue camp.