Trump Says He Will Talk with President Lai; Beijing Opposes Official US-Taiwan Exchanges

Central News Agency (CNA reporter Chang Shu-ling, Beijing, 21st) – Donald Trump stated yesterday he would speak with President Lai Ching-te, with discussions expected to cover arms sales. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded today, stating that China firmly opposes official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan and urged the U.S. to "honor its commitments and statements". A report from 'Zhengzhijian,' a WeChat account of the Beijing Youth Daily, noted that at today's Chinese Foreign Ministry press conference, Agence France-Presse asked for China's comment on Donald Trump's statement that he would talk with Lai Ching-te about arms sales, and Lai Ching-te's subsequent remark that he would be very happy to have a dialogue with Trump. Guo Jiakun responded that China firmly opposes official exchanges between the United States and Taiwan and firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, stating this position is consistent, clear, and unwavering. He said China urges the U.S. to implement the important consensus from the China-U.S. presidential summit, fulfill its commitments and statements, handle the Taiwan issue with utmost caution, stop sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, and take concrete actions to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the stable development of China-U.S. relations. When asked by the media yesterday if he would call President Lai, Trump said, "I will talk to him. I talk to everyone. We will deal with that, the Taiwan issue." In response to a media query on the 20th, Taipei time, President Lai stated that if there is an opportunity for a dialogue with Trump, he will emphasize that enhancing national defense capabilities and military procurement from the U.S. are necessary means to safeguard Taiwan's security and maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. "We hope this military procurement can continue." President Lai also said he would stress that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are essential elements for world security and prosperity, that the Taiwan government is neither overbearing nor submissive in maintaining the status quo, and that Taiwan is a guardian of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He added that China is the one undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150521