Taiwan President Lai reaffirms sovereignty, self-determination and democratic values

21/05/2026

TAIPEI: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has issued a detailed statement reaffirming Taiwan’s position on cross-strait relations, following international attention on Taiwan-related discussions during recent talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Lai said he appreciated continued U.S. support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, noting repeated assurances from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, that Washington’s longstanding policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. He said Taiwan values U.S. attention to regional security and its support for Taipei.

The president said he had received briefings from Taiwan’s national security leadership, including the National Security Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Mainland Affairs Council, and National Security Bureau, to assess the latest developments.

In his statement, Lai outlined five key positions.

First, he said Taiwan remains a defender of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and will not provoke conflict, while firmly safeguarding its sovereignty and democratic way of life. He said maintaining the status quo is a broad consensus among Taiwan’s 23 million people.

Second, Lai accused China of being the primary source of regional instability, citing military activities, exercises near Taiwan, and what he described as “gray-zone” coercion and pressure across the Indo-Pacific region.

Third, he reiterated that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent democratic state, rejecting the notion of a “Taiwan independence” issue while maintaining that Taiwan’s future must be decided by its people. He also said Taiwan rejects coercive or politically motivated cross-strait engagement attempts aimed at annexation.

Fourth, Lai highlighted Taiwan–U.S. security cooperation under the Taiwan Relations Act, describing it as essential for regional deterrence and stability. He thanked the United States for continued arms sales and support, and said Taiwan is increasing its defense budget, strengthening asymmetric capabilities, and improving national resilience.

Fifth, he said Taiwan is central to global supply chains and the Indo-Pacific security architecture, warning that any threat to peace in the Taiwan Strait would have significant global economic and security consequences. He emphasized that Taiwan will not be used as a bargaining chip in international negotiations.

Lai concluded by stressing that peace must be backed by strength, reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense, democratic values, and cooperation with like-minded partners to maintain regional stability and global prosperity.