Richard Sanders
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed its appreciation for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks regarding the US’s “serious concern over China’s coercive actions against Taiwan” and its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, following a call with his Chinese counterpart.
In a statement, MOFA highlighted that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs made several erroneous claims about Taiwan during the conversation. The ministry firmly reiterated that Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are not subordinate to one another, emphasizing that this has been a long-standing reality and a key aspect of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Building on the strong US-Taiwan relationship, Taiwan is eager to enhance cooperation with the Trump administration, showcasing its commitment to self-defense and boosting its military capabilities through US arms sales and reforms. The island aims to deepen its security and economic ties with the US to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
During their exchange, Rubio confronted Chinese Minister Wang Yi over Taiwan, asserting that the second Trump administration would pursue a relationship with China that prioritizes US interests. Wang cautioned Rubio against allowing Taiwan to separate from China and stressed the importance of adhering to the “one China” policy.
Rubio emphasized the need to strengthen support for Taiwan to deter potential Chinese aggression, warning that a failure to act could lead to an invasion by the end of the decade. He has identified China as the primary threat to the US, accusing it of unfair practices to achieve superpower status. Additionally, Rubio discussed China’s actions in the South China Sea with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.
