Joseph Wu: Taiwan Is Not the Problem, China Is the One Creating It

National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Joseph Wu stated today (the 21st) that Taiwan maintains a close and friendly relationship with the United States, and their common interest is to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He stressed, "Taiwan is not the problem; China is the one creating problems," and that the Taiwanese government's position has always been to be neither haughty nor humble and to maintain the status quo.

The Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the 2026 (115th ROC year) work plans and budgets for the Presidential Office, the National Security Council, and Academia Historica this morning. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Men-an, NSC Secretary-General Joseph Wu, and Academia Historica President Chen Yi-shen were in attendance.

DPP Legislator Shen Fa-hwei asked during an interpellation session what preparations the NSC has made for the period between a potential "Trump-Xi meeting" and Chinese President Xi Jinping's return visit to the U.S. in September, during which the Taiwan issue is expected to be hotly debated in Washington D.C.

Joseph Wu pointed out that the United States is a very important country for Taiwan. He noted that Taiwan's relationship with the U.S. is very friendly at all structural levels, and close contact is maintained with all levels of the U.S. side, with much pro-Taiwan sentiment visible in the media. Taiwan, the U.S., and even the entire world share a common interest: peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is consistent with the U.S. position and interests.

Wu stated that Taiwan faces China's expansionism and military threats, and all countries in the first island chain also face China's expansionism. The U.S. government and Congress are very clear on this point. Based on this, Taiwan will maintain a close and friendly relationship with the United States.

In response to KMT Legislator Hung Meng-kai's question about a potential phone call between former U.S. President Trump and President Lai, Wu said that this is an important matter between Taiwan and the U.S. The NSC is taking it seriously and will keep a close watch. He added that there is no related information at the moment, but he would brief lawmakers if the situation becomes more mature.

Hung Meng-kai also asked, regarding Trump's mention of "we will handle that Taiwan problem," "Is Taiwan a problem?" and what advice Wu would give President Lai if the two were to speak. Wu replied that President Lai has already stated Taiwan's attitude is to be neither haughty nor humble. As for advice for the president, he said it was not convenient to disclose it publicly.

Wu stated that Taiwan's position is to be neither haughty nor humble and to maintain the status quo. Taiwan is not the problem; the one creating problems is definitely not Taiwan. China is creating all sorts of problems in the first island chain; China is the problem.

When asked if a call from Trump to President Lai would be a diplomatic breakthrough, Wu said that if the level of communication in the Taiwan-U.S. process can be elevated, it would be very important for Taiwan.

A legislator also asked if the U.S. would demand that Taiwan not pursue independence as a condition for selling weapons. Wu replied that he was the first person to be sanctioned by China, but China sanctioned him in error. He said he is for maintaining the status quo, and the Taiwan government also maintains the status quo. "We are people who want to maintain the status quo of the Republic of China, so we do not have a so-called 'Taiwan independence issue'."

When pressed on whether the status quo is Taiwan independence, Wu stated that under China's definition, even the Republic of China is considered Taiwan independence.