Taiwan will not provoke conflict nor give up sovereignty, says president

"Taiwan, the China" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="39764" data-entity-type="organization">Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent democratic country," he wrote, adding that "Taiwan's future must follow the will of all the Taiwanese people."Most people in Taiwan consider themselves a sovereign nation. But many also favour keeping the "status quo" in cross-strait relations: neither unifying with China nor formally declaring independence.Beijing has been vocal in its dislike of Lai, who it has described as a "troublemaker" and "destroyer of cross-strait peace".Lai wrote on Facebook that "Taiwan will not provoke, will not escalate conflict, but will not under pressure give up national sovereignty and dignity, as well as the democratic and free way of life"."Taiwan has always been a firm defender of the status quo on both sides of the Strait, not a party to change it," he wrote.He also said that that Taiwan was willing to "promote healthy and orderly exchanges and dialogue with China on the premise of equality and dignity", but it rejects China's attempt at using "unification" as a cover to coerce Taiwan into dialogue.Earlier, the presidential spokesperson had said it was "self-evident" that Taiwan was "a sovereign, independent democratic country", while adding that they were committed to maintaining the status quo.Beijing has emphasised it wants "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but it has not ruled out the use of force to take the island.For decades the US has sold weapons to Taiwan, under the Taiwan-relations-act" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="85398" data-entity-type="event">Taiwan Relations Act, so the island could defend itself in the case of an attack. Today the US remains Taiwan's most powerful ally and largest arms supplier.In December, the Trump administration approved $11bn (£8bn) in arms sales to Taiwan - one of the largest ever. The move drew ire from Beijing, which has in recent years ramped up pressure over Taiwan with regular military drills - including blockade simulations - around the island.Trump told reporters on Air Force One, after departing Beijing, that he would decide if that sale would go ahead, adding that he and Xi had discussed it "in great detail".Since 1982 the US has assured Taiwan that it would not consult Beijing on arms sales to Taiwan. But when asked about that commitment as he flew back from Beijing on Friday, Trump said the 1980s was a "long way".On Sunday, Lai thanked Trump for his "continued support" for peace in the Taiwan Strait, as well as the increase in arms sales to Taiwan."Given that China has never given up the use of force to annex Taiwan and continues to expand its military power to try to change the regional and cross-strait status quo, America's continued sale arms to Taiwan and deeper US-Taiwan security cooperation is necessary and a key factor in maintaining regional peace and stability," Lai wrote.