Taiwan Stresses Sovereignty, Rejects China Claims

Taiwan reiterated its status as a 'sovereign and independent democratic country,' stating that China has no right to claim the island. It also expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his continued support for security in the Taiwan Strait.

Sat May 16 2026

Taiwan Emphasizes Sovereignty and Thanks President Trump

Taiwan asserted on May 16 that it is a 'sovereign and independent democratic country', stating that China has no right to make any claims over Taiwan. Karen Kuo, spokesperson for the Taiwan Presidential Office, expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his sustained support for security in the Taiwan Strait since his first term. Taiwan aims to further deepen cooperation with the United States, bringing peace through strength and ensuring the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait.

China's Threats and Taiwan's Defense Efforts

Spokesperson Karen Kuo pointed out that China's continuous escalation of military threats is the sole source of insecurity in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. This is why countries around the First Island Chain are actively collaborating with the US to strengthen their defense, and Taiwan cannot and will not be an exception. She also noted that arms sales between Taiwan and the United States are not only part of the US security commitment to Taiwan, as explicitly stated in the Taiwan Relations Act, but also serve as a shared deterrent against regional threats.

Strengthening Cooperation with Global Democratic Allies

Taiwan looks forward to continuing cooperation with the US and global democratic partners under the firm commitments of the Taiwan Relations Act. This is to jointly address the risks posed by authoritarian states to geo-strategic security and the global order, Karen Kuo added.

*Source: YouTube: Al Jazeera English (2026-05-16)*

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