Taiwan is pushing back against a warning from President Trump. The island's government insists it is already a sovereign, independent nation.
President Lai Ching-te's spokesperson, Karen Kuo, said Saturday that Taiwan's status as "a sovereign, independent democratic country" is "self-evident." The statement came after Trump cautioned Taiwan against formally declaring independence from China.
Trump's remarks followed a summit in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump told Fox News he did not seek conflict with Beijing over the island, saying, "We're supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I'm not looking for that."
Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has ramped up military drills around the island in recent years. Despite U.S. law requiring it to provide Taiwan with self-defense means, Washington does not support formal Taiwanese independence as a condition for continued ties with Beijing.
Taiwan's government said it remains committed to maintaining the status quo with China and thanked Trump for his support for security in the Taiwan Strait.