Taiwan Identifies China as Major Source of Regional Tension

Following Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Taiwan has declared its interest in further strengthening cooperation with the United States. Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stressed that the island remains a reliable partner for democratic countries in the Indo-Pacific region, while accusing China of stoking regional tensions.

Trump said after the talks in Beijing that he had also discussed US arms supplies to Taiwan with Xi Jinping and plans to announce a decision on the next military aid package in the near term.

Taiwan is among the most sensitive points in US-China relations. Beijing has long rejected US military support for Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory.

Xi Jinping has warned that mishandling disputes over Taiwan could lead to a dangerous deterioration in relations between Washington and Beijing.

(reuters, mja)